Northridge Lowers Standards for Athletes

Athletes at Cal State Northridge will no longer have to meet higher academic standards than the general student body to retain their eligibility.

The athletic department’s across-the-board 2.0 grade-point average requirement has been abolished by Ron Kopita, the vice president in charge of student affairs. Instead, eligibility will be determined on a sliding scale that combines university-wide minimum GPAs and those of the Big Sky Conference.

The new minimum required GPA is 1.6 following the first semester for freshmen, which is the Big Sky’s rule; 1.85 at the start of the sophomore year, which is Northridge’s rule; and 2.0 thereafter.

“We have determined that it is unfair to place a standard on athletes that we don’t hold on our other students,” Kopita said.

Kopita’s decision was based on the recommendation of Paul Bubb, athletic director; Judy Brame, senior associate athletic director; Dr. Margaret Fieweger, associate vice president for undergraduate programs; and James Goss, faculty president.

Only two Northridge athletes whose teams are competing in the fall are affected by the change, Brame said.

Marrica Pichaikul of the women’s soccer team and Brett Vorster of the men’s soccer team both regained their eligibility this week. Vorster may still sit out the season as a redshirt, said Coach Marwan Ass’ad.

Athletic Director Paul Bubb, who underwent back surgery on Tuesday, was not available for comment.

Most coaches said the change corrected an unfair situation.

“What we were doing was treating athletes special and now we are treating them like everyone else,” said women’s soccer Coach Brian Wiesner. “[That’s fair] considering all the extra demands we put on their time.”

Wiesner will benefit immediately from the change. Pichaikul, a sophomore sweeper and one of the Matadors’ top players, missed the first three games but played Tuesday night.

Jeff Kearin, an assistant football coach who monitors the players’ academic progress, agreed with the rule change.

“Athletes are already held to a higher standard in every area of college life,” he said. “They can’t work. They have to graduate in a certain time. Whereas another kid just has to pass their units.”

Ass’ad would not say he disagreed with eliminating the athletic standard, but he said it was unnecessary.

“Any student who comes to a school and cannot maintain a C average, either he has a learning disability he doesn’t know about or he’s not applying himself,” Ass’ad said.