Northridge Just Might Have a Falling Out With Big Sky

Time is running out for Cal State Northridge and its tenuous affiliation with the Big Sky Conference.

Big Sky officials last month extended for the second year a memorandum of understanding that provides for the Matadors’ permanent inclusion based on a number of criteria being met.

Now the memorandum of understanding has become an ultimatum: Follow through with plans to build an on-campus stadium, reinstate a men’s tennis program and upgrade existing athletic facilities, or find another conference.

The Big Sky made matters clear at its conference meeting in Spokane, Wash., in May. An updated memorandum is in the process of being drafted.

“As far as the minutes of the meeting reflected, this will be the last extension,” said Ron Loghry, chief of staff of the Big Sky. “If these requirements are not met, the memorandum of understanding won’t be extended. They were supposed to have done them last year and they were given a year’s extension then.”

The extensions were granted by a majority vote of presidents of the conference. No more votes will be taken, Loghry said.

“Because of some of the situations at Northridge--the president leaving, a new athletic director coming in, they lost a lot of personnel--a plea was made and it did not fall on deaf ears. This year, it is going to be written into the memorandum of understanding that this will be the last [extension].”

It seems doubtful Northridge will be able to hold up it’s end of the bargain--at least, by next May.

Last month, the university announced it will proceed with plans to build a 9,000-seat, $10-million on-campus stadium for football and soccer. Plans to build the stadium were delayed by neighborhood opposition. No construction timetable has been announced. It is doubtful the stadium, to be funded largely by private donations, will be completed so soon.

Moreover, Northridge has not reinstated men’s tennis. And upgrades to the gymnasium regarding repairs and increased seating have not been completed.

Sam Jankovich, interim athletic director the last six months, said Northridge will need at least another three years to achieve goals commensurate with becoming a superior Division I-AA program.

Jankovich will give way next week to Richard Dull, who comes to Northridge after serving as athletic director at tiny Moravian College in Pennsylvania. Dull, who was hired last month, immediately will have his hands full trying to raise funds.

“It’s all kind of speculation right now,” Jankovich said. “The department has done such a horrible job of getting the outside community involved. I think it’s hard to say right now. If the university works with [the community], you’ll see improvements. But I think two or three years is needed.”

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Four weeks into an internal investigation of the Northridge football program and still no conclusions. And none expected soon.

The probe was launched after the athletic department received an anonymous letter May 19 alleging serious NCAA violations. Jankovich, who is not involved in the investigation, said he doesn’t know when it will be completed or what findings may come.

“I had a lot to say at the start of it,” Jankovich said. “But I’m not very close to it right now. I don’t think people in the [athletic] department should be involved in something like this.”

The on-campus board of inquiry, led by members of the university’s business and finance department, barred coaches from their offices for 10 days while examining documents.

The coaches have returned to their offices but remain in the dark. At least, none are commenting. Football Coach Ron Ponciano, reportedly vacationing in Alaska, has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing regarding allegations made in the letter.

Paul Goodwin, a longtime Northridge booster, said he was questioned by investigators but declined comment on the matter. Goodwin denies any wrongdoing.

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Distance runners John Greene and Andrea Bruins have been selected Northridge’s scholar-athlete award winners for the Big Sky Conference.

Greene, who recently completed his senior season, has bests of 15:10.30 in the 5,000 meters and 31:13.13 in the 10,000.

Bruins, a senior, has clocked 4:42.48 in the 1,500 and 10:39.16 in the 3,000.

A male and female athlete from each of the nine Big Sky schools were selected scholar-athletes.

Staff writer John Ortega contributed to this notebook.