Northridge Digs Deeper in Ma Case

NORTHRIDGE â€”  Cal State Northridge widened the scope of its investigation into alleged academic fraud by the top player on its women’s volleyball team, conducting interviews Tuesday with former players.

Judy Brame, associate athletic director, is researching allegations that Nancy Ma had schoolwork done for her by teammates. Nicki Midwin and Allwyn Fitzpatrick were among the former players Brame interviewed.

Midwin said last week that she completed several assignments for Ma, a junior from China who speaks limited English.

Midwin’s report that she witnessed a roommate of Ma’s helping Ma complete a test in a psychology class on March 3 prompted Northridge’s investigation.

Midwin said she also saw Ma’s roommate sitting next to Ma during a religion test Feb. 27.

In her interview Tuesday, Midwin also told Brame about another event that occurred in a religion class on March 10.

“Nancy was saying if anybody asks if [the roommate] is doing anything, to say I don’t know this girl,� Midwin said.

“We started talking, but the teacher was talking, so she started writing it down.

“I was writing her back, saying, ‘Nancy, people are going to know who she is.’ I was telling her, ‘You messed up.’ �

Academic improprieties are potential NCAA rule violations.

Ronald Kopita, vice president for student affairs, said a portion of a psychology test submitted by Ma on March 3 will be compared with Ma’s handwriting.

“It’s my understanding there have been some handwriting comparisons made,� Kopita said.

“In past circumstances, whether it’s an athlete or not, we have looked at assignments turned in and looked at writing samples of the person who supposedly turned it in and compared it.�

Ma could not be reached for comment.

Midwin said she told Brame that she wrote two papers for Ma in a marketing class last semester and that coaches were aware of the situation.

Coach Lian Lu and assistant coach Kathleen O’Laughlin deny the allegations.

The Times reported Tuesday that Ellie Flato, another former Northridge volleyball player, said she completed assignments for Ma in a photography class in 1996.

Fitzpatrick played one season for Northridge in 1996 after transferring from Memphis.

She could not be reached for comment after talking to Brame on Tuesday.

Tom Shannon, Northridge faculty athletic representative, has joined the investigation to assist Brame, who hopes to complete her review by the end of this week.

Ma helped lead the Matadors to the Big Sky Conference championship in 1996 and holds the school season record for kills with 456.

Eric Sondheimer is a Times staff writer. Mike Bresnahan is a correspondent.