With Goals Changed, Northridge Players Need Assist

Location and timing can be crucial to a successful sales pitch.

That’s why Mark Fitzpatrick, a Cal State Northridge men’s soccer player, waits until the ball has rolled out of bounds and there’s a lull in the action. Then he asks an opposing player to take a message to his coach.

“I’ll let them know that our program is probably going to be dropped,” Fitzpatrick said. “So let your coach know, and see if he can use me.”

Such self-marketing by Northridge players is becoming commonplace after the program was one of four men’s sports eliminated last summer because of budget constraints and gender-equity issues. It won a reprieve for this season.

The team’s future is uncertain as a task force on college athletics examines Northridge’s athletic program.

The Matadors’ temporary termination meant Coach Marwan Ass’ad, in his 14th year, did not recruit. His existing players, 16 of whom played at local high schools, were left with the prospect of trying to transfer in June, when other schools had already distributed scholarships.

As Northridge (3-10-1) struggles through what will be its third losing season in four years, many players are determined to gain a recruiting advantage.

Sophomore forward Michael Preis, who played at Chatsworth High, grew up attending Northridge matches and summer camps. But he will move on unless the program is resurrected.

“I’m definitely using this season as a chance to find someplace else to go,” said Preis.

Fitzpatrick and Preis, two of Northridge’s more marketable players, must wait until after their season concludes in mid-November to contact other coaches directly, but they have already put out feelers.

“Before we played [UC] Irvine, I asked [Ass’ad] to help me and he mentioned my name to their coach before the game,” said Fitzpatrick, an Alemany High graduate who played his first season at Navy. “Marwan doesn’t want to see us leave the Valley but he knows we have to look out for our futures.”

Ass’ad, whose salary was cut two years ago, has hinted he will not return next season even if the program’s life is extended. He said he will help players transfer but is saddened because he knows that is not an option for all the Matadors.

“The kids who come from lower incomes, those kids aren’t going to play any more college soccer,” Ass’ad said. “San Jose State or someone will come and give them $4,000 but [the player] will still need another $2,000. Even at Cal State L.A. they’d have a problem. So their parents want them to live at home and go to community college.”

Sophomore midfielder Danny Ortega, who went to Birmingham High and lives with his family in Van Nuys, said his college career will end if the program is cut.

“If the program continues, I think I’d [play] another year but if not, for sure, no more soccer for me,” Ortega said. “I’d just stay in the Valley and go to school.”

Ass’ad said players such as Luis Castro, Federico Arroyo, Oswaldo Pina Rivera and Jaime Tinajero would be in a similar situation.

Preis feels badly for his teammates but knows what he must do.

“[Transferring isn’t] going to be fun,” he said. “I stayed here for a reason when I left high school and now that reason isn’t going to be here anymore. But I’ve got to deal with it and move on.”