Former Tutor Agrees to Talk

As it wraps up its investigation, perhaps by the end of the week, the USC committee looking into charges of impropriety in the Student Athlete Academic Services program will interview a former employee who left USC because of “ethical concerns.”

Cynthia Cardosi, an academic advisor for seven years who left in 1995, has agreed to talk to the committee after being contacted through officials at University of Virginia, where she currently is employed.

The committee is completing interviews with more than 40 current and former tutors, athletes and athletic department personnel, including associate athletic director Daryl Gross, but is expected to take at least another week to finish its report before forwarding it to the Pacific 10 Conference. The Pac-10 is expected to follow up with its own review.

The only NCAA violation confirmed so far was the improper assistance receiver Mike Bastianelli was give on a paper two years ago. Bastianelli served a two-game suspension.

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Junior tackle Rome Douglas could earn another start after his performance against Stanford in relief of senior Phalen Pounds, who was ill. Coach John Robinson said Douglas played “wonderfully” and got his career “back on track,” a year after struggling as a starter last season when Pounds was injured. . . . Receiver R. Jay Soward practiced despite a sore right knee after skipping Tuesday’s session, but wants to postpone an MRI to check on possible damage until after the season. . . . Fullback Ted Iacenda had a successful arthroscopic procedure on his left shoulder Tuesday and does not require reconstructive surgery. . . . Tailback Chad Morton has practiced lightly because of flu and a hamstring injury but is expected to play Saturday, as is Malaefou MacKenzie, who missed last week’s game because of a shoulder injury.