CSUN Dismissals Stemmed From Violation of Team Policy : Women’s basketball: Chandler says unreconciled off-court incident brought about the revocation of two starters’ scholarships.

The dismissal of two prominent Cal State Northridge women’s basketball players was a result of a dispute touched off by a “severe violation” of team policy, Coach Kim Chandler said Thursday.

Point guard Kris Waldorf and leading scorer Michelle Esparza were told by Chandler in separate meetings Wednesday night that their scholarships would be revoked after this semester.

Chandler said that an unspecified off-court incident involving both players last December never was reconciled.

“Both of these players were instrumental to our basketball program with their ability on the floor,” the coach said in a prepared statement.

“But . . . the program will not be jeopardized with actions of this kind by players or staff at any time.”

Waldorf, a 5-foot-5 sophomore from Artesia, and Esparza, a 5-foot-10 sophomore from Monterey Park, would not divulge specifics about their alleged misconduct. However, both players acknowledged that a “personal incident off the court” occurred.

Waldorf, the team’s assist leader with 71, started all but one of Northridge’s 25 games at point guard. Esparza, a shooting guard, averaged a team-high 15.7 points and took down 4.9 rebounds per game.

Chandler said the players “failed to meet probationary requirements to maintain their involvement in the program.”

“This was not an easy decision for any of us, but it was one that had to be made,” Chandler added. “There are certain things you just don’t do. I won’t jeopardize the principles of this program no matter who is involved.”

Chandler’s move came with the blessing of Judith Brame, associate athletic director at Northridge.

Brame said Chandler followed athletic program policy by submitting her recommendation for the dismissals to administrators before announcing the move.

“If it is valid it is supported,” Brame said. “If not, an alternative may be recommended.”

Waldorf and Esparza can appeal the decision to a school financial aid committee headed by Vu Tran, Northridge’s acting financial aid director. The players have said they are not planning an appeal.

Waldorf said she would appeal what she said was a decision by Chandler not to grant her a release in order to transfer her eligibility to another school.

There probably will be no need. “At no point (Wednesday) night did I refuse a release to Kris,” Chandler said. “What I said was that I was not willing to discuss her plans to transfer last night.”

Bob Hiegert, Northridge’s athletic director, said NCAA rules will prohibit the athletes from transferring and playing for a Division I or Division II team next year.

Both players can reclaim their eligibility after sitting out a season, or they can transfer to a Division III or NAIA school and have immediate eligibility.

Of the eight freshmen, sophomores and juniors who started last season as players with scholarships, only center Maureen Batiste and guards Shannon Crouse and Carrie Dormire remain on the team.

Two players quit in the early stages of last season and another, forward Katina Mines, left the squad immediately after the season.

The Northridge basketball program has been racked by turmoil in recent seasons, a trend Chandler blames on circumstances starting with the resignation of Coach Janet Martin in December 1991.

Chandler, then a newly hired assistant, took over the program on an interim basis when Martin left at midseason.

“We’ve been through everything you can imagine the past two years,” Chandler said.

The Matadors finished 3-22 in their most-recent campaign, which was muddled by complications related to the Jan. 17 earthquake and capped by a late-season traffic accident in which three players were injured.

Northridge finished the season with six healthy players.

“When things aren’t going well and you’re not winning basketball games, it’s tough,” said Chandler, whose record at Northridge is 11-58. “The people who are left here are going to be stronger people and players because of the experience.

“The juniors we have coming back are tough people and I expect them to provide a solid nucleus to build this program around. We’ve all been tested, and we’re all better for it.”

Northridge announced only hours before Chandler dismissed Waldorf and Esparza that six recruits have signed letters of intent.

Along with guard Sarah Hagman of Crescenta Valley and Kelly Morris of Diamond Bar, who committed previously, the Matadors signed Sarah Bell of Oakland, Sherry Ramirez of Ontario, Holly Babcock of Nevada Union, and Tannea Nelson of Richmond.

Brame, who also attributed Northridge’s recent high rate of player turnover to “unusual circumstances,” said she expected the vast majority of Chandler’s latest group of recruits to stay for the duration of the collegiate careers.

“I would expect that we’ll have a more stable program the next couple of years,” she said.