Northridge Set to Replace Hiegert as Athletic Director

Cal State Northridge plans to remove Athletic Director Bob Hiegert from his job and reassign him, several administrative and coaching sources said Monday.

The move is expected to be announced Wednesday.

Hiegert, 53, a former Northridge athlete and coach, has been associated with the school for most of his adult life. He has been athletic director for 18 years.

The decision to replace Hiegert was made by Ronald R. Kopita, Northridge’s vice president of student affairs, and supported by school president Blenda J. Wilson, the sources said. Hiegert declined comment, saying only that he expected “some resolution” of his situation by Wednesday.

Kopita, who said last week that school officials were considering an overhaul of the athletic program, would not comment on Hiegert’s status. Last week, Kopita said he had “some concerns about the athletic budget and some concern about the direction of the program.”

Northridge’s athletic program ran a deficit of about $700,000 last school year because of declining enrollment and because supplementary funds earmarked for athletics did not become available.

Sources said Hiegert and Kopita clashed earlier this month over the vice president’s plan to fire Debby De Angelis, an associate athletic director who handles business matters. Hiegert opposed the move.

De Angelis was asked by Kopita to resign two weeks ago, a request that was retracted pending review.

Under Hiegert’s supervision, Northridge’s athletic program won 25 Division II championships before moving to Division I in every sport but football in 1990.