YEAR IN REVIEW / 1999

“We have to find a special person. We are committed to keeping the program. I think it’s a great opportunity for someone to come in and build something.”

Pierce College Athletic Director Bob Lyons, after football Coach Bill Norton resigned.

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“We are not talking about respectability. We are talking about taking it into a level to compete for championships in the near future.”

New Pierce football Coach David Banuelos, who finished 1-9 his first season.

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“He doesn’t realize he’s mortal. He says, ‘If I jump off the roof, I’ll land like a cat.’ ”

Laurie Lund, mother of Notre Dame athlete and thrill-seeker Trevin Lund

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“A day doesn’t go by that something I do isn’t related to what he taught. The guy [John Wooden] is a master teacher. I’m sure he would have been an outstanding [principal].”

Jim Nielsen, former UCLA basketball player and Van Nuys High coach, who is also a principal at Channel Islands High.

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“If you look at where this program was when I got here, it has been a dramatic turnaround. We’ve come a long way in a short time. Three years in a row we’ve qualified for the conference tournament, and 16 wins at the Division I level is a lot.”

Northridge men’s basketball Coach Bobby Braswell in February.

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“Those were the best years of my life. Can you imagine? Fifteen and traveling all over the world, not having to pay for anything.”

Lynda Amari, Cal State Northridge forward on her days as a member of France’s junior national basketball team.

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“In my mind, my baseball career was over. But there was always that part of me that loved to compete. I’m the old man on the team, the grandpa, and I don’t know if this will lead to anything else. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”

Brett Ermilio, who revived his baseball career at age 23 by switching from catcher to pitcher for Oxnard College.

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“I surrendered myself. [I said], ‘OK, I give up. Somebody help me. I’m going to listen, I’m going to do whatever it takes to get my life turned around.’ In the big leagues, it’s not all about ability. It’s about how you go about playing the game, how you concentrate, how you stay focused, how you go about your daily life. You might get to the big leagues on talent alone, but you won’t stay there without the intangibles.”

Bobby Hughes, former Notre Dame star and Milwaukee Brewer catcher, on getting in better shape and dedicating himself to becoming a better player.

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“What does it take? It takes a tremendous amount of perseverance, luck andtalent.”

Rick Dempsey, Crespi High graduate on making it to the major leagues.

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“I went to junior college and I saw junior colleges as a place to provide 18-and 19-year-olds with some direction. I like to think this is a stepping-off point in the life process. Life is a lot bigger than winning a game.”

Chris Johnson, Valley College baseball coach.

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“It’s like knowing you’re going to get a divorce then living with your wife for another 6 months.”

Bryan Herta on driving for Bobby Rahal for three months after being informed his contract would not be renewed for the 2000 CART season.

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“I stand 100% firm on what I said before, that, obviously, [the report is] something they’ve got to do to justify their actions.”

Ron Ponciano, former football coach at Northridge, which fired him.

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“We are very confident in the findings of the report. [Ponciano displayed] a very high disregard for the need to follow NCAA and university policy. I think that’s what the report says.”

Louanne Kennedy, interim president at Northridge, regarding a 130-page report on the 2 1/2-month investigation into allegations of rules violations by Ron Ponciano and the football program.

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“After all I’ve been through this year, to have the opportunity to do something like this is unbelievable. It’s an incredible feeling.”

Robert Fick, Newbury Park native and Detroit Tiger after hitting the last home run, a grand slam, in Tiger Stadium on Sept. 27. Fick missed most of the season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.

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“After something like I’ve been through this year, to have the opportunity to do something like this is unbelievable. It’s an incredible feeling..”

Robert Fick, Newbury Park native and Detroit Tiger, after hitting the last home run, a grand slam, in Tiger Stadium on Sept. 27. Fick missed most of the season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.

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“we have to find a special person. We are committed to keeping the program. I think it’s a great opportunity for someone to come in and build something.”

Pierce College Athletic Director Bob Lyons, after football Coach Bill Norton resigned.