NOTEBOOK / MITCH POLIN : Season Is Five Weeks Off, but Corsairs Already Counting Their Losses

The Santa Monica College football team, expected to have one of the best offenses in the Western State Conference, has lost its top two receivers because of academic troubles.

Brian Clark and Kory Jones, who as freshman combined for 62 receptions, 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns, have been ruled academically ineligible.

“It’s kind of a sore subject,” first-year Corsair Coach Robert Taylor said. “It hurts me to think about it.”

Taylor said the players could rejoin the team in 1995.

“They could go anywhere in 1995 if they’re OK academically, but hopefully they’ll choose to come here,” he said.

The loss of Clark and Jones should give three freshmen an opportunity to start: Nakia Wheeler from Carson High; Lane Wells from University High and Bo Parks from Hawaii. Parks is the son of former Dallas Cowboys receiver Billy Parks.

Santa Monica, 3-6-1 in 1993, begins practice Aug. 18. The Corsairs will travel to Orange Coast College for a scrimmage Sept. 2 and open against Rio Hondo College on Sept. 17.

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Wide receiver Jasiri Rodell of Culver City and tight end Tony Griffin of Westchester were listed among the top players in the West by Bluechip Illustrated, a recruiting magazine.

In addition, St. Monica wide receiver Steve Pulley was ranked among the West Coast’s top high school players by Street & Smith’s magazine.

The 6-3, 190-pound Rodell had 29 receptions for 706 yards--an average of 24.3 yards a reception--and scored eight TDs last season.

The 6-3, 210-pound Griffin played tight end and safety last season, but is expected to play tight end in college.

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Pepperdine is beginning its search for a men’s golf coach after Kurt Schuette resigned to accept a similar position at USC.

Schuette coached the Waves for six seasons and won four West Coast Conference titles. Pepperdine finished in a tie with Brigham Young for 11th at the NCAA West Regional at Tucson in April.

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The City of Santa Monica Parks and Sports Division will stage the Breakwater Swim Event on Sunday.

Contestants can register between 7 and 9 a.m. Sunday at lifeguard Tower 13, which is the third tower north of the Santa Monica Pier. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and the entry fee is $10 a person. There will be age divisions for men and women.

Information: (310) 458-8974.