Ventura Players May Transfer If Probation Sticks

Members of the embattled Ventura College men’s basketball team, after making an emotional appeal Wednesday to Western State Conference officials, hinted they might leave the program rather than accept a two-year probation imposed earlier this month by the conference.

“If we’re on probation, I won’t play,” sophomore forward Adrian Coffey said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Coffey was among eight players who addressed a WSC appeals committee at Santa Monica College, pleading for the conference to reconsider its Oct. 8 decision to place the program on probation because of numerous violations of state rules.

“I came to show my support and to show all the people in the conference room who they’re hurting,” Coffey said. “By the looks on their faces, I don’t know if it did any good.”

Ventura Coach Glen Hefferman, college President Larry Calderon and athletic coordinator Dick James also spoke at the meeting. The conference will release its decision perhaps as soon as today, Commissioner Aviva Kamin said. James said he was told the school would be informed of the decision on Monday.

“I wanted to personally make a plea on behalf of my players,” Hefferman said. “I said, ‘None of the players I have brought with me have done anything wrong, and I don’t think it’s fair that they be punished for something somebody else might have done.’ ”

Hefferman, 31, who was hired in August, reiterated previous statements that he will consider looking for another job if the conference upholds its ruling that prevents the Pirates from participating in postseason play for the next two seasons.

“The decision that the conference makes not only will have an impact on my players’ future, it will definitely have a big impact on my future,” Hefferman said. “About half the team says they’re going to transfer. The other half say they won’t play.”

Freshman guard Jonathan Cooper, who moved from his native Chicago to enroll at Ventura, said he is uncertain about his future, and so are many teammates.

“Some guys are thinking about leaving school,” Cooper said. “Some just don’t want to be here.”

Sophomore guard Ben Tryk, a transfer from Moorpark, echoed Cooper.

“We didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into,” Tryk said.

The sanctions, which also include the formation by Ventura of an athletic oversight committee, were imposed after a five-month investigation revealed numerous violations by boosters and former Coach Virgil Watson--including illegal recruiting, and players being given money, free meals and access to campus facilities and vehicles.

The WSC stripped Ventura of its 1996 and 1997 conference titles. The Pirates’ 1996 state title is in jeopardy of being revoked by the state Commission on Athletics.