THE COLLEGES / MIKE HISERMAN : Image Builders Find Use of CS Northridge Name Far From Letter-Perfect

The man charged with building the athletic image of the big commuter campus up the street sent out a directive a few days ago on proper usage of the university’s name.

Its title: “Cal State Northridge, Spoken and Written.”

Trust me, it was more interesting than it sounds.

“We admit our name is confusing. . . . “ it began. Confusing? I never thought so--until I finished reading, that is.

According to the Northridge athletic department’s own little stylebook, all references to the school as anything but Cal State Northridge, Northridge, Matadors or CS Northridge are unacceptable.

Cal State University, Northridge (which is about as close as one can get to the school’s official name--California State University, Northridge) and CSUN were included under a “NEVER call us” category.

CSUN is a no-no, we are told, because it lends no clue as to the location of the school.

In fact, Sam Lagana, director of promotions and marketing for Northridge’s athletic department, formally requested that CSUN be taken off the Sports Arena scoreboard when Northridge played USC in basketball two weeks ago.

Lagana asked that Northridge be written out on the board, explaining later that he didn’t want television viewers flipping channels to see simply CSUN, not recognize what school was playing, and turn channels (Note to Sam: That can work both ways, you know.)

Northridge, Lagana was told, was too many letters. Lagana requested “N’ridge” go in its place. They put up “North,” instead.

“Who’s gonna know where North is?” Lagana complained.

My guess is, probably about the same number who were going to know where N’ridge was. I mean, is that somewhere above S’ridge? Adjacent to La Canada-F’ridge, perhaps?

Anyway, before a CSUN official requests another opponent to take CSUN off the scoreboard, I suggest he take a look at his own school’s baseball and basketball scoreboards. They both say CSUN.

Ratings game: No. 7-ranked Antelope Valley and No. 8-ranked Moorpark had better hope they end up higher in the seedings than they are in the state junior college Southern California men’s basketball poll.

If not, Antelope Valley will probably have to go through second-ranked Ventura to earn a spot in the final eight.

Antelope Valley finished the regular season 24-5 but is not eager to play a road game against red-hot Ventura.

Moorpark likely would have to upset top-ranked Rancho Santiago, the defending state champion. Rancho Santiago defeated Moorpark, 99-75, in December.

Double trouble: Broderick Jenkins obviously finds it difficult to say no.

Jenkins was a pretty good offensive tackle at Glendale College two seasons ago.

He was good enough that at least two college teams were interested in offering him a football scholarship even after a year of inactivity.

Northridge got after him first, and while Jenkins never signed a binding NCAA letter of intent with the Matadors, he did sign scholarship papers.

Then last Wednesday rolled around and Jenkins signed on the dotted line again. This time with Cal State Fullerton. And this time it was a letter of intent.

All of which came as news to Northridge Coach Bob Burt as he prepared to announce the Matadors’ list of new recruits Wednesday afternoon. Burt was under the impression Northridge had secured the services of seven junior college transfers. Oops, better make that six.

Jenkins had been seen at Northridge the previous week registering for classes. Said Burt: “He was here Thursday getting his classes and all of a sudden he’s down there signing?” As a matter of fact, he was.

Jenkins, 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, said he committed to Northridge when word spread last month that Fullerton might not field a team next season.

Fullerton later announced it had raised enough money to keep its program--and Jenkins.

This situation could get even more interesting next fall when Northridge and Fullerton meet in a nonconference game.

Briefly: In a pinch, West Los Angeles always can turn to Valley College as a streak-buster. West L. A. had lost eight consecutive men’s basketball games before upsetting Valley, 77-61. Similarly in football, West L. A. had lost four games in a row before defeating Valley, 14-0. . . .

Ventura’s 82-55 victory over Cuesta in men’s basketball Wednesday night wrapped up the Pirates’ first undefeated (14-0) conference season since 1951. Ventura won the 1986-87 state championship with Pookey Wiggington and Cedric Ceballos, but even that team lost one conference game. . . .

Donnie Rea will red-shirt this baseball season at San Jose State while recovering from arm surgery. The 6-2 left-hander from Agoura High was expected to be the ace of the Spartan pitching staff. In a season cut short by injury, Rea was 1-2 with a 4.30 earned-run average in 1990. As a sophomore, he was 10-4 with a 2.38 ERA. . . .

ESPN has requested film of Albert Fann from the Northridge sports information office. Presumably, ESPN wants it available for use on NFL draft day. Fann, Northridge’s career rushing leader, reportedly looked good at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis 10 days ago.