Dissident Titan Athletes Will Still Press Claims : Cal State Fullerton: Resignation of Athletic Director Shumard doesn’t alter their plans.

Members of two dissident student-athlete groups said Thursday they plan to press ahead with their complaints against Cal State Fullerton, and that Bill Shumard’s resignation as athletic director hasn’t altered their feelings.

“All we want is our just due,” wrestler Dwayne Buth said. “It’s not that we were out to get Shumard fired.”

The wrestlers are protesting the fact that their scholarships were reduced for the 1992-93 school year. Buth said he is planning to meet again with university officials to see if a settlement can be reached.

Matt Pearson, member of a group of protesting football players, said “as far as we’re concerned this doesn’t change anything.” Fifteen football players are upset about a university edict that they would have to work 10 hours per week to maintain part of their scholarships because the football program was suspended.

“More than anything, we were upset with the way all this was handled,” Pearson said. “We felt we were under duress to sign that agreement, and the hours we would have to work weren’t flexible. We want to get paid what is owed us, as well as make the athletic department accountable for its actions,” Pearson said.

Pearson said he has requested a meeting with university President Milton A. Gordon.

Judith Anderson, executive assistant to Gordon, said Thursday there will be a national search for Shumard’s replacement. She said a search committee will be appointed as soon as possible.

Anderson said Gordon expects to be able to name an acting director by the time Shumard leaves his position May 31.

Among those being mentioned as possible successors to Shumard are Neale Stoner, who was athletic director at Fullerton from 1972 through 1979, and Karen Miller, athletic director at Cal Poly Pomona. Miller was a finalist when Shumard was hired three years ago.