Walsh Says Clash With Coach Forced His Transfer

Distance runner Dave Walsh, citing differences with Coach Don Strametz, will transfer from Cal State Northridge to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this fall.

Walsh, the 1986 NCAA Division II West Regional cross-country champion, said he clashed last season with Strametz, the CSUN men’s and women’s cross-country and track coach.

“A lot of little things went on last year that I didn’t want to put up with anymore,” Walsh said. “It wasn’t like ‘Stram’ and I had a major argument or anything. I just got tired of dealing with the little head games that were being played.”

Walsh, 23, declined to give specifics about the differences with his coach, saying, “I want to keep what happened between us confidential.”

When reached by phone Saturday night, Strametz said, “I don’t want to go into details right now. But I will say that this is Dave’s sixth school in his last seven semesters. I’ll let that speak for itself.”

Strametz added that he will issue a further comment this week.

Walsh has attended Clackamas College in Oregon City, Ore., Moorpark College, College of the Canyons, Ventura College and CSUN. Cal Poly SLO will be his sixth school.

Under NCAA Division II rules, Walsh will be ineligible until the 1988 fall quarter, after which he’ll be eligible for two cross-country seasons and one track season.

“I’m excited about going up there. I have no regrets,” Walsh, a 1981 graduate of Canyon High, said. “Their program really appeals to me and so does their coach, Tom Henderson. And the SLO area is ideal for running.

“I feel good about the move. I just wasn’t happy at Northridge.”

Walsh, who won the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. cross-country championship last fall, earned All-American honors at the 1987 NCAA Division II track championships in Cape Girardeau, Mo., placing fifth in the 5,000 meters. He has personal bests of 14:23.1 in that event and 3:50.26 in the 1,500.