More Questions Than Answers

The release earlier this month of its 130-page report on NCAA rules violations shouldn’t be Cal State Northridge’s last word on football.

The university began an investigation in May after the athletic department received an anonymous letter alleging rules violations. Eight weeks into the investigation, CSUN fired coach Ron Ponciano, who denies wrongdoing, and pressured an assistant coach to resign. The recently released report on the investigation not only details the university’s findings--misappropriated funds, improper payments and meals--but, as is customary, recommends penalties, including putting the football program on a two-year probation.

Now that the report is done, coaches and players understandably want to put the investigation behind them. But CSUN can’t stop talking football yet, and not just because it is still awaiting the NCAA’s response. With $8.5 million to raise to build a controversial new stadium, a squeeze on other sports because of budget constraints, a consent decree to improve women’s sports, a revolving door of coaches and athletic directors--and now a self-imposed probation--CSUN needs to ask whether it should spend so much money and effort on Division I football.

Other Cal State campuses in Los Angeles and Orange Counties have asked that question and answered no. CSUN may well be able to make an argument for keeping football. But as the problems mount, the time has come to make that case.