Ventura Encounters More Problems

It gets worse for the Ventura College men’s basketball program.

In addition to being stripped of its 1996 and 1997 Western State Conference titles and being placed on two years of probation without the possibility of postseason play, the school will be required to form an oversight committee responsible for monitoring the athletic program and reporting monthly to the WSC.

Ventura President Larry Calderon, reiterating his vow to appeal the decision announced Thursday by the WSC, said the conference went too far imposing sanctions.

An appeals hearing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 24 at Ventura.

Sanctions were imposed against Ventura, a perennial power and state champion in 1996, in the wake of an investigation that alleged numerous violations of state rules by former Coach Virgil Watson and boosters.

“I will exhaust all my due-process rights until I have no legal recourse, or I am satisfied that the current men’s basketball team and current coach are not being penalized with sanctions that had nothing to do with them,” Calderon said.

If Ventura’s appeal is denied, the school can appeal to the state Commission on Athletics. The COA has the jurisdiction to strip Ventura of its 1996 state title, but commissioner Joanne Fortunato would not speculate on the matter Thursday.

“The best I can say is that [the COA] certainly will review it and decide what is the best action to take,” Fortunato said.

Ventura players practiced without Coach Glen Hefferman, who was hired in August. Hefferman requested a two-day leave of absence for personal reasons unrelated to basketball, said Dick James, Ventura’s athletic coordinator.

Several of Hefferman’s players gathered on the steps outside the gym but few offered comment. Some wore somber stares, others walked away in silence.

“It’s messed up, man,” forward Donte Lincoln said. “That’s all I can say.”

Assistant coach Laurian Watkins conducted practice in Hefferman’s absence.

“None of the kids have anything to say,” Watkins said. “I think we’re all trying to digest stuff right now.”

Aviva Kamin, commissioner of the WSC, declined comment.