CSUN Volleyball Post-Match Practice Not a Violation

Contrary to a published report, Cal State Northridge did not break an NCAA rule when its men’s volleyball team practiced Friday after a loss to USC.

In its Tuesday editions, the Los Angeles Daily News reported that Northridge’s late-night practice violated legislation the NCAA passed in 1991 prohibiting teams from practicing after their final athletic contest of the day.

However, NCAA rules state that practice may be conducted after competition “between contests, rounds or events during a multi-day or multi-event competition.”

Northridge’s match against the Trojans came in the first round of the UCLA/J.P. Mitchell Classic, which ended Sunday.

“The general rule is that subsequent to a competition, you are not supposed to practice,” said Steve Mallonee, a director of NCAA legislative services. “But in this case, the competition technically was still going on until Sunday. According to the official interpretation, they did not break the rule.”

Such a violation would be considered a “secondary,” or minor infraction, Mallonee said.

Judith Brame, senior associate athletic director at Northridge, contacted the NCAA on Tuesday and is convinced that “we have not violated a rule.”

John Price, Northridge’s coach, said he did not know there was an NCAA rule prohibiting practice after a match.

“I’m hardly a slave driver,” Price said. “But we played so poorly all I could do was sit there and watch and fume.”

USC, ranked 12th in the nation, defeated third-ranked Northridge, 9-15, 15-8, 15-9, 15-9. After a day off Saturday, the Matadors bounced back Sunday to record a 15-2, 15-13, 14-16, 15-5 decision against fifth-ranked Hawaii.

Brame said Tuesday the school had reported the Friday night practice to Big West Conference officials and is awaiting word from the conference. The Big West is the governing body of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the conference in which the Matador men’s volleyball teamcompetes.