Fresh Start for CSUN

Last week’s decision by Cal State Northridge’s top two athletic officials to resign was the right one--necessary to give the school’s battered sports programs a fresh start. Athletic Director Paul Bubb and Associate Athletic Director Judith Brame resigned Tuesday after admitting that they failed to report to CSUN administrators allegations of drug use against women’s basketball Coach Michael Abraham, who stands accused of intent to distribute cocaine.

In isolation, the lapse in judgment would not warrant resignation. But it follows several other incidents in which the department’s reputation was damaged and the integrity of its coaches and officials questioned. Taken together, they portray a troubled athletics program in need of strong, competent leadership. During Bubb’s three years as athletic director, the department has come under scrutiny and earned criticism for:

* Failing to report allegations of drug use against Abraham. Players tipped Bubb and Brame two years ago that they feared Abraham might be using drugs. Bubb and Brame conducted their own investigation and found no evidence of wrongdoing. But Bubb reported nothing--not the allegations, not the investigation, not the results--to senior administrators. Abraham was arrested last week in the school gymnasium after a federal investigation into allegations of drug trafficking. Abraham has denied the charges and remains free on bail.

* Possibly blurring the line between academic assistance and cheating. Volleyball player Nancy Ma and her coaches were cleared of allegations that Ma’s teammates were forced to do her homework and help her during tests. But the school did not do enough to make clear the line between what is and is not appropriate.

* Abruptly canceling four popular sports. Although cast as the unfortunate consequence of complying with federal gender-equity rules, the 1997 cancellation of men’s baseball, volleyball, soccer and swimming was the result of poor planning and unreasonable commitments to the Big Sky Conference. The four sports were reinstated six months later, but only after the school lost top players and considerable community support.

* Perpetuating a lie about a football player shot at a party. In 1996, Bubb was suspended without pay for failing to correct a false story that linebacker Shayne Blakely was in the hospital for an appendectomy. In fact, he had been wounded by gunfire at a party. Bubb knew the appendectomy story told by football Coach Dave Baldwin was false but did nothing to correct it.

To be sure, Bubb and Brame made significant contributions to CSUN’s athletics programs, guiding the school through the difficult transition to the Big Sky Conference. Due in part to their efforts, CSUN’s sports programs enjoy their highest profile ever and coaches can recruit quality athletes to field winning teams. But their time is past and the program needs new leadership to continue growing. Inside favorites include basketball Coach Bobby Braswell, who was appointed interim athletic director last week. Whether the job is filled from the inside or the outside, President Blenda Wilson and her administrators must seek out an athletic director who will guide athletics with strength and integrity.

Speaking about Abraham last week, senior defensive back Vito Clemente pointed out to a reporter that the arrest “reflects on the whole program. He represented the program like any player. The headlines are going to read CSUN first and then the player’s name or the coach’s name.” Athletes like Clemente get it. Players are held to a standard of excellence and integrity because they represent their school and their team as well as themselves. Those calling the shots should be no different.