NCAA Lets Cal Poly SLO Write Its Own Ticket

The NCAA on Thursday accepted Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s self-imposed penalties for rules violations in its baseball program, which has been ruled ineligible for postseason play this season.

Cal Poly moves to Division I this baseball season, joining Cal State Northridge in the Western Athletic Conference’s West Division.

Cal Poly agreed to forfeit its 1989 Division II national championship as well as its second-place award in 1993 and third-place award in 1992.

The school admitted that former coach Steve McFarland funneled money to several players to pay for tuition and housing.

One of the players was Andy Hall, a second baseman from Camarillo High. Hall was held out of several games last season while the matter was under investigation. No action was taken against players, who had no knowledge of McFarland’s actions, the NCAA ruled.

Basketball

Forward Ruben Oronoz, normally a starter for the Cal State Northridge basketball team, did not travel with the team to San Luis Obispo for tonight’s American West Conference opener against Cal Poly.

Oronoz, a junior who is averaging 8.6 points a game, injured his left ankle in a fall during the first half of Northridge’s game last Thursday against Nevada Las Vegas.

“He’s off crutches, but he can barely walk,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said.

Northridge (3-10) is 2-0 with Eric Gray replacing Oronoz in the starting lineup.