Ass’ad Commits to Coach CSUN Soccer Next Season

Marwan Ass’ad, men’s soccer coach at Cal State Northridge the past 15 seasons, said Tuesday he will return to the team next season.

“It’s the best Christmas I’ve had,” Ass’ad said. “I’m going to be back because I want to have a winning season with these players.”

On Monday, university President Blenda J. Wilson cleared the way for four previously canceled men’s sports programs to return next season and possibly beyond.

Ass’ad was skiing and did not hear the news until he returned home Tuesday.

BASEBALL

Lookout man: John Gillette, a former Agoura High baseball standout, has been hired as a full-time scout for the Baltimore Orioles. Gillette, who graduated from Agoura in 1986, will be moving to Seattle.

BOXING

Look out, man: Heavyweight Lance Whitaker of Granada Hills, fresh off a first-round knockout of Eddie Gonzalez on Dec. 13, will face his toughest opponent yet when he fights Louis Monaco in an eight-round bout Jan. 16 in Atlantic City, N.J.

Monaco, who has a 6-6-2 record, was disqualified in May in a bout against former heavyweight champion James “Buster” Douglas for hitting after the bell.

Whitaker, 25, has knocked out his 12 opponents in less than two rounds since turning pro in July, 1996.

WATER POLO

Well-represented: Royal and Agoura highs dominated the selections to the All-Ventura County seven-player water polo team.

Royal had David Radka, Jason Perry and goalie Garret Herzer, and Agoura had Mitch Dexter and Eugene Lai.Justin Jewell of Nordhoff and Chad Caldwell of Ventura also were selected to the team.

FOOTBALL

Headed north: Quarterback Bryan Paul of West L.A. College, a former Ventura County small schools player of the year at Moorpark High, has signed a letter of intent with Washington State.

Paul, a sophomore, was Western State Conference Southern Division player of the year.

VOLLEYBALL

Ivy Leaguer: Harvard-Westlake middle blocker Alexis Collins, an All-Mission League selection, has committed to Princeton.