CSUN’s President Selects a Fee Plan

Cal State Northridge President Blenda J. Wilson is expected to announce her support today for a referendum that could hike semester registration fees $27 per student to fund athletics, a school official said.

The $27 funding plan was selected by the Associated Students Finance Committee on Monday from a list of four possible funding options originally set forth by Wilson. At Wilson’s request, the Associated Students this month polled student groups regarding the options and recommended that the $27 measure be placed on the student ballot in March.

“It will get her thumbs-up,” said Bruce Erickson, a school spokesman.

The Associated Students Senate on Tuesday must formally ratify the measure for inclusion on the spring ballot. Under the $27 option, football will be retained, women’s soccer will be added and all other programs will be upgraded.

If the referendum is defeated, football, women’s basketball, men’s swimming and soccer will be cancelled. Northridge would field 14 teams, the minimum required by the NCAA for membership in Division I. Students twice defeated athletic referendums in 1994 by narrow margins.

The Senate also could vote to lower the semester fee. In past meetings, several senators have voiced support for a fee increase of $25.

Football

Van Nuys High quarterback Chris Byfield has signed a letter of intent with Holy Cross University.

Byfield is the first football player from Van Nuys to sign with a Division I school since 1986.

“One of the main reasons I picked Holy Cross is the academics,” Byfield said. “A degree will last me a lifetime where as football is limited. Plus a degree from Holy Cross is impressive.”

Columbia, Fresno State and San Diego State were other schools that recruited him.

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Valley College cornerbacks Chris Pikes and Deandros Long signed letters of intent to play at Texas El Paso, Monarch Coach Jim Fenwick said.

Pikes played high school football at Sylmar and Long at Pasadena.

Fenwick said another former Monarch, wide receiver Vince Lampkin, signed with Cal State Chico. Lampkin, a former option quarterback at Birmingham High, played at Ventura in 1992 and Valley in 1993 but sat out last season.

Golf

PGA Tour pros Keith Clearwater, Mike Reid and Duffy Waldorf will play in Steve Pate’s fifth annual charity fund raiser tournament Feb. 20 at North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village.

Buddy Allin, a PGA Senior Tour player, and former U.S. Amateur champion Mitch Voges also will play in the event, a six-man scramble.

The tournament benefits a trio of alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers in Ventura County.

Amateur berths in the tournament are still available. Information: 805-485-5216.

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Berths are still available in the 10th annual Corey Pavin benefit tournament Feb. 27 at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo.

The event is a fund raiser for Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs in Ventura County.

Pavin, a longtime member of the PGA Tour, attended Oxnard High.

Information: 805-485-6114.

Baseball

Harvard-Westlake High is accepting applicants for the position of junior varsity baseball coach. Those interested should contact Athletic Director Gary Thran at 818-762-3301.