Northridge Is Tilting at Windfall

As a member of the budget committee that passes out state dollars, Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) is used to folks who take the money and run.

That’s why she’s having a hard time figuring why Cal State Northridge seems to keep coming up with reasons not to take $586,000 to revive its eliminated teams.

Wright said the latest thing she’s heard is that Northridge officials believe they must get permission from the university board of trustees before accepting the money. “I don’t know why they’re coming up with these lame excuses,” said Wright, who arranged the bailout last week.

But Wright is wrong if she thinks school administrators aren’t interested, Northridge Vice President Ronald Kopita said Tuesday. Kopita said he has instructed Athletic Director Paul Bubb to “explore what the implications are for us if this were to pass.”

The money earmarked for Northridge athletics is only a small part of a $15 million budget that must first be approved by the state legislature and then signed by the governor. The bailout money is not part of the university budget. If it is turned down, the cash goes into the state General Fund.

BASKETBALL

A melee involving about 50 people during a women’s summer league basketball game Monday night at Glendale College resulted in a 17-year-old Burbank girl suffering a broken nose, but no arrests were made, a campus spokesperson said.

The brawl erupted in the stands and spilled onto the court during a game between West L.A. and L.A. Trade Tech colleges. The incident brought an end to the game and forced the cancellation of a 7 p.m. game between Valley and Pasadena colleges.

FOOTBALL

The debate on the feasibility of restarting the football program at College of the Canyons is on the agenda of the Santa Clarita Community College District board meeting tonight at 6 at Canyons.

At its May 14 meeting, the board voted to support the reinstatement of football at Canyons contingent on 12 criteria. The criteria included concerns about funding and compliance with Title IX, the federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination in programs at institutions that receive federal money.

The board will be updated tonight on the 12 points and will decide whether to move forward with the idea of adopting football and additional women’s sports at Canyons.

VOLLEYBALL

Cal State Northridge setter Dan Fisher signed a letter of intent with University of the Pacific. The 6-foot-6 Fisher, who will be a junior, became the first men’s volleyball player to transfer since the program was eliminated on June 11.

COMMITMENTS

Third baseman John Wilson, who redshirted as a Cal State Northridge freshman last season, made a commitment to attend Kentucky. Wilson, an L.A. Baptist High graduate, redshirted after being shot in the chest by his father last year.

Twins Matt and Mike Rainer of Royal High, left stranded last month when Northridge eliminated baseball, have landed elsewhere.

Matt, The Times’ 1997 Ventura County pitcher of the year, said he has committed to Nevada, which has offered him a partial scholarship. Mike plans to play at Cuesta Community College in San Luis Obispo, said his father, Ray Rainer.

Dave Krewson, an outfielder at Simi Valley High last season, said he will play at Grossmont Junior College in El Cajon next season. Krewson batted .456 with 10 doubles and 27 runs batted in last season.

Former Buena High catcher Ricky Helland said he will play at Ventura College next season. He batted .434 with 16 RBIs last season.

MOTOR SPORTS

Sean Woodside of Saugus won his first NASCAR Winston West main event Saturday with a 200-lap victory at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. Woodside, 26, a two-time Saugus Speedway Sportsman champion, is third in the points standings after eight events.

BOXING

Heavyweight Lance Whitaker of Granada Hills knocked out Jerriel Bazile in the third round Saturday at Moline, Ill. Whitaker (7-0) dropped Bazile at 2:10 of the third round.

TENNIS

Top-seeded Gene Malin of Woodland Hills advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Tennis Assn. National men’s 45 Hardcourt Championships on Tuesday at Westlake Tennis and Swim Club. Malin received a first-round bye, then defeated Dennis Olson of Mountain View, 6-3, 6-0.

Also advancing to quarterfinals: Harvey Mardyks of Camarillo, Jim Bilicki of Thousand Oaks, Dave Austin of Camarillo, Jim Hannafin of Westlake Village, Rick Rozen of Woodland Hills and Hal Zajic of Chatsworth.