Hefferman Worries About Team’s Future

While Ventura College prepares to propose self-imposed sanctions against its men’s basketball program to the Western State Conference, Glen Hefferman, the team’s recently hired coach, said he is “scared to death.”

“I don’t know what is going to happen,” Hefferman said. “But I voiced my opinion to some administrators on campus, and I said, ‘Please don’t hurt these kids and their futures.’ ”

School administrators on Thursday declined to speculate on proposed sanctions they will submit as a result of an investigation that found the program guilty of numerous state rules violations. Athletic coordinator Dick James said administrators next week will begin drafting a proposal, as required under terms of the investigation.

James declined to speculate whether the school will contest the likelihood of its 1996 state championship being revoked. Other possible sanctions include probation or suspension of the program--Hefferman’s worst fear.

“I just hope it doesn’t come to that,” Hefferman said. “I would be devastated to have to sit down and have to tell 15 kids that is going to happen.”

The proposal is expected to be submitted within the next month, James said.

Conference Commissioner Aviva Kamin said Wednesday that Ventura should be stripped of its 1996 and ’97 conference championships, as well as its 1996 state title.

Conference officials will likely review the matter at an Oct. 8 meeting, Kamin said.

A report on the investigation said former Coach Virgil Watson committed several infractions, including providing players with money. The report also said other school representatives arranged for players to receive free or reduced-rate meals, free rent, loans and access to facilities.

Waves get help: Pepperdine’s basketball team has shored up a thin backcourt by signing Robert Fomby, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Albers Junior College in Poteau, Okla.

Fomby, a sophomore, gives the Waves four guards and helps them make up for the loss of top recruit Kevin Bradley, a point guard from Crenshaw High who did not qualify academically.

“He has very good quickness and he is a very good defensive player,” Pepperdine Coach Lorenzo Romar said of Fomby.

Fomby was an all-state player at Kelly High in Tulsa, Okla. Last season, he helped Albers (22-10) reach the quarterfinals of the Region II playoffs.

Making the cut: Former Simi Valley resident and defenseman Angela Ruggiero and Glendale native and forward Barb Gordon were among 25 players named Tuesday to the U.S. national women’s ice hockey team that will compete in the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

Cain rising: NASCAR Southwest Tour driver Jerry Cain, of Canyon Country, will compete in the NASCAR Winston West Series next year.

Cain ranks 14th among 124 drivers on the Southwest Tour.