A Force of 13 Is Named at CSUN

NORTHRIDGE — The Cal State Northridge Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics was announced Thursday, and it is aptly named. The 13-member group faces a daunting task.

Comprised of community members and Northridge students, faculty and alumni, the task force must make recommendations on highly emotional issues that have rocked Northridge since the university eliminated four men’s sports in June.

The state legislature mandated the task force as a stipulation for Northridge getting $586,000 in state funds to reinstate baseball, volleyball, soccer and swimming for one year.

The group, which includes Anita De Frantz, newly appointed vice president of the International Olympic Committee, is charged with determining ways Northridge can develop a balanced and financially viable athletic program that complies with gender-equity laws. It must report to the state legislature by March 1. Northridge will not be bound to implement the findings.

Dr. Keith Richman, a Sun Valley physician and businessman who will chair the task force, plans for preliminary findings to be completed by the end of the year so that Northridge officials and the public can comment before the final report goes to Sacramento.

“We’ll be on an ambitious schedule,” said Richman, a former UC Davis baseball pitcher. “It will take us some period of time to define the problems and to gain the opinions of the interested parties. Once we have that information, we can begin to develop fair and balanced long-term solutions for the athletic programs at Northridge.”

The task force will meet for the first time Monday at 6 p.m. in the Grand Salon of the Northridge University Student Union to set the agenda and develop a schedule to meet legislative reporting deadlines.

Northridge President Blenda J. Wilson and State Senator Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), who called for the task force and initiated the bill that produced the money to reinstate baseball, soccer, volleyball and swimming, have been invited to address the group.

“President Wilson emphasized to me the independence of the task force,” said Richman, who was recommended by Sen. Wright. “We are to provide guidance to the university and we want to involve people throughout the process.”

Richman, 43, said the group will meet at least once a week. Meetings are open to the public.

The most recognizable name on the task force is De Frantz, president of the Amateur Athletics Foundation.

Besides De Frantz and Richman, founder of the North San Fernando Valley Community Foundation and chief executive officer of Medco Associates, the community is represented by Sharon Schuster, who belongs to the CSUN Community Advisory Board. Another community member will be added.

Northridge alumni include Phil Blazer, publisher of Jewish News and Israel Today; Laura De Valencia, director of Community and Business Alliances with the L.A. Department of Water and Power; and Trent Morgan, coordinator of CSUN’s intramural program.

Student members are Joseph T. Dagata, president of the Interfraternity Council; Jon A. Hatemi, vice president of Associated Students; and Pamela M. Karbowski, member of the Student Athletic Congress and the women’s soccer team.

Faculty members include department of finance chair William Jennings, history professor James Sefton and kinesiology professor Barbara Swerkes. Kinesiology professor William Whiting will serve as staff director of the task force.

“The individuals who have agreed to serve are a stellar group,” Wilson said. “I am confident that they will make thoughtful and reasoned recommendations.”