Fullerton Probe Is Underway

An NCAA official has talked with two former members of the Cal State Fullerton athletic department as part of a preliminary investigation into the men’s basketball program during the summer of 1993, The Times has learned.

The preliminary investigation centers on allegations that four men’s basketball recruits received living expenses, free housing, transportation and tuition payment for summer school and correspondence courses. If true, this would violate NCAA rules forbidding “extra benefits” to student-athletes.

Brad Holland, coach at Fullerton from 1992 to ‘94, denied any wrongdoing and said he has not been contacted by the NCAA.

“The whole thing surprises me,” said Holland, in his third season at the University of San Diego. “This is something I’m totally unaware of, and I don’t think any of that stuff is true.”

Fullerton Athletic Director John Easterbrook and current men’s basketball Coach Bob Hawking, an assistant under Holland in 1993, also said they have not been contacted by the NCAA.

The NCAA will review findings from its inquiry to determine whether there are grounds to launch a formal investigation.

Former Fullerton athletic director Bill Shumard, appointed Long Beach State athletic director Monday, acknowledged being questioned last week in the Southland by an NCAA official about 1993 recruiting activity by the Fullerton men’s basketball program.

“I was contacted strictly for background purposes,” Shumard said. “I’m not a target of any potential investigation.”

Chris Brazier, another of Holland’s former assistants at Fullerton, also said he was questioned.

Darren Little, Winston Peterson, Danny Robinson and Jerome Washington are the former recruits under scrutiny, sources said. Questions were raised by the NCAA because their names appeared on a list of students enrolled in correspondence courses at Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God in Lakeland, Fla. The school has been involved in previous NCAA investigations focusing on rules violations at Baylor and New Mexico State.

Little, Peterson and Robinson transferred to Fullerton from community colleges before the 1993-94 season. Peterson was selected second-team All-Big West Conference as a senior.

Washington also planned to transfer from Mid-Plains College in Nebraska but failed to qualify academically.

Robinson said Tuesday he has not been contacted by the NCAA. The other former Titan players could not be reached for comment.