Northridge Staff Member Serves Notice, Asks Bozeman to Apologize

A Cal State Northridge staff member says he will file a lawsuit against Todd Bozeman if the California basketball coach does not apologize for striking him and refuses to recant a claim that the incident was incited by a racial remark.

Tim Taggart, an attorney representing Howard Garcia, said Friday he is sending a “notice of claim” to Bozeman and athletic officials at Cal. Bozeman is accused of assault and defamation in connection with an incident that took place during a Jan. 22 basketball game at Northridge.

Cal has 45 days to respond before Garcia can sue.

Bozeman, a third-year coach, twice jabbed at Garcia after a heated exchange behind the Cal bench midway through the second half. Garcia, Northridge’s events manager, said he was trying to assure Bozeman that the area was secure after the coach traded insults with some Northridge fans.

Videotape of the incident shows Bozeman gesturing at Garcia four times during their conversation. When Garcia pointed back, the Cal coach slapped at his fingers, then lunged, grazing Garcia on the side of the head with his right hand.

Bozeman denied throwing a punch.