For Jim Newton, it has been a...Lesson Learned

Jim Newton has the frame offensive line coaches dream about.

Slender at 6 feet 9 and 240 pounds, and possessing good footwork, the Newbury Park High senior could gain 50 pounds and become a prototypical college lineman.

And he has the letters to prove it: three boxes full from Division I schools across the country.

If things had worked out, Newton would be signing a letter of intent today, the first day of the national signing period for high school seniors.

But Newton’s progress was stunted by a poor decision that nearly ended his high school career and put his college plans in jeopardy.

Before football practice began last August, Newton was involved in an incident causing property damage on the Newbury Park campus.

He missed the football season while serving a school-imposed athletic suspension that ended last month, causing him to miss the first half of the basketball season. In addition, he still must complete half of the community service hours assigned to him by the juvenile courts.

Older and wiser, Newton is determined not to repeat his mistake.

“I did something stupid, one of the dumbest things I’ve done in my whole life,” Newton said. “I look at sports as a privilege much more that I did before. I want to show I’ve learned from this whole experience.”

It could have been worse. Newton originally was expelled from school after the incident by a new administration in its first week on the job.

“They said I was headed for continuation school,” Newton said. “I couldn’t believe it. I was devastated.”

After several meetings between school officials and a Newton support group that included his parents, football coach George Hurley and basketball coach Steve Johnson, the penalty was softened.

Newton was allowed to stay at Newbury Park after serving a short suspension. If he stayed out of trouble and progressed in school, he could come back for the latter half of the basketball season.

The flood of recruiting letters Newton received during his junior football season slowed to a trickle once colleges discovered he wasn’t playing.

But that wasn’t the worst part. Newton hit an emotional nadir while watching from the stands as Newbury Park played its season opener against Gardena.

“I cried, it hurt a lot not to be on the field,” Newton said. “I had just come back to school after being suspended. I think that’s when it really hit me.”

He still felt pain when the Panthers, who reached the Southern Section Division III final in 1995, struggled early in the season, losing two games.

“Some of the players blamed me when we lost because I wasn’t there,” Newton said. “I understand that, but one player wouldn’t have made a difference. Now that some time has passed, I’m hoping I’m mostly forgiven now.”

Newton found more understanding on the basketball team. While still suspended from playing, he practiced with the team and sat on the bench in street clothes for most of Newbury Park’s games.

“I was still a captain, I felt like I had to act like one,” he said.

In practice, Newton played the role of the opposition. When the Panthers scrimmaged against each other, Newton didn’t participate.

“He did all that we asked and more,” Johnson said. “He wore a shirt and tie to games. He showed dedication.”

Newton was rewarded for his perseverance. Scheduled to begin playing at the semester break last week, his suspension was ended by school officials after winter vacation.

Newton has been a welcome force for Newbury Park, averaging 10.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.1 blocks.

He has helped the Panthers (13-8, 7-3 in league play) to a surprising season in the Marmonte League. Newbury Park can gain a first-place tie if it beats Simi Valley tonight.

Playing basketball has helped revive Newton’s football recruiting. A Pacific 10 Conference representative recently watched a Newbury Park basketball game.

“I’ve sent three films of him out in the last 10 days,” Hurley said. “When coaches call me looking for linemen, I tell them I had this kid who played for me last year. He’s paid the price he’s had to pay.”

Although the most difficult part of Newton’s punishment is over, he is still dealing with repercussions. He must remain in good graces with the school or risk further disciplinary action.

“I can’t slip up at all, [Newbury Park] has made that clear,” Newton said. “And I don’t plan to.”