Northridge’s Goodson Tackles Shot at Fame on Big Screen

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars were discovered in unlikely places.

Perhaps Marc Goodson will join that group someday.

Goodson, an All-American linebacker at Cal State Northridge the past two seasons, is about to launch an acting career that a few weeks ago wasn’t remotely in his plans.

Goodson’s “discovery” occurred near the end of the football season when he went to the Northridge weight room to work out.

“I walked in and all these guys were measuring [the room] and I asked them what they were doing,” Goodson said. “I started working out and all these people started looking at me.

“Then the director asked me if I had ever acted. I said no, but I would give it a shot. He asked me to take a screen test that night and I got the part.”

Next summer, Goodson will portray a trash-talking intimidator for the Dallas Felons in “BASEketball,” a professional sports satire by David Zucker of “Naked Gun” and “Airplane” fame.

The film features ESPN’s Chris Berman, Al Michaels of “Monday Night Football,” Chicago Cubs’ broadcaster Harry Caray, Jenny McCarthy, comedian Chris Rock and “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

“It’s about this crazy game that this guy comes up with because he feels the world is tired of the same old sports,” Goodson said.

At 6 feet 2 and 235 pounds, with a shaved head and unbridled intensity, Goodson was a menacing figure on the football field. He is supposed to project similar qualities in the film against the Milwaukee Beers, his team’s hated rivals.

“I get interviewed by Tim McCarver because I’m the MVP in one game,” Goodson said.

The film’s locker-room scenes will be shot at Northridge.

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A women’s basketball rivalry that has built slowly over the years renews Saturday when Ventura travels to Canyons for a Western State Conference interdivision game and rematch of last season’s state final.

Ventura (19-1), two-time defending state champion, has lost twice in its past 93 games under Coach Ned Mircetic and is ranked No. 1 in the state. Canyons (13-6), ranked No. 8 in the state, hasn’t been far off the mark under Coach Greg Herrick.

The Cougars were defeated by Ventura, 68-59, in the state final last March at San Jose. During the regular season, Canyons jumped to an 11-0 lead at Ventura, only to lose by seven points.

Canyons has not defeated Ventura during Herrick’s six years as coach.

“A victory over Ventura would go a long way to ease that pain,” Herrick said. “It’s the only conference team we haven’t beaten. We have a lot of respect for Ventura. They’re the measuring stick.”

Sophomore guard Amirah Leonard of Ventura averages 20.1 points to rank ninth in the state in scoring. Sophomore center Zevette Mitchell of Canyons is third in the state in rebounding, averaging 14.2.

Both teams have four returning players from last season.

“[The teams] have two different styles,” Mircetic said. “They’re big, we’re small. They get a lot of their scoring inside and we run.”

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Mircetic will sit out tonight’s interdivision game against visiting Bakersfield after being ejected in the opening minutes against Santa Monica on Tuesday. The ejection carries a mandatory one-game suspension.

Mircetic received two consecutive technicals for protesting the officiating. He said he will appeal the suspension.

Staff writers Fernando Dominguez and Vince Kowalick contributed to this notes column.