Victory Banners Become Signs of Strife

Stripped across the front of the Ventura College gymnasium are large black letters boldly declaring the men’s basketball team 1996 state champs.

It makes Jim Hibbs cringe every time he sees it.

With the basketball team stripped of its title last year because of a recruiting scandal, Hibbs believes the hand-painted banner--as well as banners and trophies inside the gym--should be removed.

“This is a double disgrace,” said Hibbs, one of the founding members of the Ventura College Foundation. “The scandal in the first place and now they’re turning a blind eye to removing the sign.

“It’s not right,” he said. “They were not champions that year.”

Indeed, 1996 was a bad year for the Pirates basketball team and the college. After the team snagged the Western State Conference and state championship titles, everything fell apart.

An investigation by conference officials revealed that the team’s coach and others had engaged in illegal recruiting by promising players free meals, free rent, loans and access to school vehicles and facilities.

Coach Virgil Watson was fired and the Western State Conference stripped the Pirates of 1996 and 1997 championship titles. The team was also barred from postseason play for two years.

College President Larry Calderon drove the point home by suspending all games for a year.

But the large banners and trophies proclaiming the 1996 men’s basketball team state champs are still displayed inside and outside the gym.

Hibbs first spotted the championship banner during a morning jog in February.

“I believe in the integrity of Ventura College, I’ve worked so hard for it in the past, “ said Hibbs, who was the foundation’s executive director for nearly four years until June 1993. “It’s about the integrity of the athletic department and right now it’s at rock bottom.”

Steve Tobias, dean of the athletics department, said the college was waiting for word from the state Commission on Athletics before ordering the signs to be taken down.

Technically, the college has not lost its state championship title, Tobias said. So far, the team has been ordered to forfeit only its Western State Conference championship title. Consequently, the conference banner has been taken down.

“What if we were to rip down those state championship signs before the COA made its decision?” Tobias asked. “That would not be right. No one is trying to say we’re something we’re not. It’s a matter of protocol.”

Tom Harris, commission chairman, said his board launched an investigation two weeks ago and is still mulling over whether to strip the college of the title. He said the panel’s investigation will be completed next week.

Tobias regretted opening old wounds.

“What we’re trying to do is heal and move on,” he said.

At least one trustee said the signs most likely will be quietly removed. “I personally believe the individuals who played on the team earned the title,” trustee Bob Gonzales said. “All said and done, the guys really worked hard to get them.”

The college, however, must comply with orders by the commission, he said.

“I’m sure in due time they will be taken down,” Gonzales said, adding that he trusted Calderon to make the right decision.

“The ball’s in his court,” Gonzales said. “He’s very familiar with the case, and I’d rather leave it up to him.”

Calderon was taking a wait-and-see approach.

“Taking away our title creates a whole domino effect,” Calderon said. “They’re going to have to declare someone champions in our place. I’m not going to second guess what the COA will do. Maybe they won’t do anything.”

Some students hope that is the case. “The crooked stuff had nothing to do with the players,” said Domenic Delillio, 21, a student since 1995 and a member of the college football team. “They were champions. They were married to the championship, married to the game.

“When you’re married like that, you deserve to keep the wedding ring.”

*