Northridge Fans Outraged Over Proposed Cuts

When I read that Cal State Northridge may cut baseball and men’s volleyball I was shocked! When I read that Ron Kopita, vice president for student affairs, said that the baseball team didn’t have many fans, I was outraged!

The baseball fans Northridge has are very loyal. Last year, when the Matadors finished the season ranked 10th in the nation, won its division of the Western Athletic Conference, beat Brigham Young and Santa Clara in playoffs and advanced all the way to an NCAA regional championship game, many fans traveled with the team throughout the season.

This year, fans went to Sacramento, San Diego, Las Vegas (where Northridge won a tournament), Fresno (where Northridge was second in a tournament), Hawaii, Oklahoma State and San Francisco to watch the team play.

I have been to every home game--and the Las Vegas and Fresno tournaments--and have yet to see Kopita. I saw Athletic Director Paul Bubb at two games. How in the world can these men consider cutting one of only two men’s sports--the other is volleyball--that Northridge is ranked nationally?

They don’t come out to support the team, yet they think they have the knowledge to make such a serious decision that affects so many young men’s lives. Two star pitchers, Erasmo Ramirez and Benny Flores, have decided to transfer because they lost faith in the school.

This is a pitiful way for university administrators to act. I hold Kopita and Bubb directly responsible for this state of affairs and will no longer support the college in any way. I hope the rest of the Valley feels the same.

Joe Skarda

Granada Hills

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As a graduate of San Fernando State College in 1970, I am proud that CSUN has achieved great recognition in the academic community. I am also delighted that CSUN was able to rebuild so rapidly following the 1994 earthquake.

I continue to make my home in Granada Hills, and believe that CSUN should be a reflection of the community. This should include the academic, cultural and social diversity of the community. Athletics should also reflect this diversity.

As a person who has shown much support for diversity on campus, it seems strange that CSUN President Blenda Wilson would support a position that is anti-diversity. The San Fernando Valley is a hotbed for swimming, volleyball, tennis, soccer and baseball. Retaining these programs would be a signal to the community that she truly does believe in diversity. The easiest way to have gender equity, balance the athletic budget and retain diversity would be to drop the football program.

Apparently, Athletic Director Paul Bubb has brought with him a Midwest mentality and delusion that it is possible to create a “Midwest” athletic program to the San Fernando Valley. The only thing that the current proposal for cutting sports could bring is embarrassment. Plus, destroy the dreams of thousands of young people in the San Fernando Valley who identify with CSUN athletics.

There is no other sport on campus that draws broader community support than soccer. I have been bringing my children to CSUN soccer games for the past 14 years. There are more children playing soccer in our community than any other organized sport. The CSUN soccer team participates in a premier Division I league. I do not understand why the CSUN administration seems so exhilarated about a football program that is participating in a third-level league that nobody cares about.

William D. Shapiro

Granada Hills

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This is like a disaster hit our community, like an 8.0 earthquake hit the Valley.

I cannot imagine Cal State Northridge not having soccer games anymore. It is almost the saddest day in my life. My son was 6 years old in 1983 when we started taking him to Northridge soccer camps and games. We made a lot of friends this way. Watching kids who I coached in my club and others play for the Northridge team was very exciting for me, my family and many of our friends.

Knowing the players, seeing former players at the games and at other events and talking about past games and events was a big part of our lives. Meeting old friends at the first game of the season and feeling sad as we parted and said goodbye at the end of the season were normal things.

What are we going to do now? Where are we going to spend our time? Where do we see each other again? Northridge brass is taking from us something that cannot be replaced. This is like a death in the family.

My family is in a mourning and so are many, many others. The community does not deserve this. We are praying it will not happen.

Soccer is embedded deep in the Valley. Someone must help us. This should not be allowed.

Miodrag Nikolic

Canoga Park