NCAA Expected to Put Titans on Probation

The Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball program is expected to be put on NCAA probation today for recruiting infractions allegedly committed in 1993 and ’94.

The NCAA plans to announce a decision at 1 p.m. during a telephone press conference from its office in Overland Park, Kan.

Probation of one to five years is normal in major infraction cases, which this has been classified. “Typically, that’s the case,” said Shep Cooper, NCAA director for the infractions committee.

The NCAA also could hand down additional penalties, including a ban from postseason competition for a specified period, reduction in scholarships and restrictions on recruiting.

Judith Anderson, Fullerton’s executive vice president, said university officials would have no comment until after the NCAA announcement. Anderson oversees the athletic department for university President Milton Gordon.

School officials received a preliminary copy of the NCAA infractions committee report Wednesday afternoon and have until this morning to discuss it further with NCAA officials before an announcement is made.

Under NCAA rules, Fullerton can appeal any sanctions handed down. Louisville and Louisiana State won appeals in the last year against a ban from postseason play imposed by the infractions committee.

If Fullerton is banned from postseason NCAA play, the Titans also would be unable to compete in the Big West postseason tournament, according to conference bylaws.

The NCAA’s investigation at Fullerton began in November of 1996 over incidents the NCAA alleged occurred in the summer and fall of ’93 and the summer of ‘94, when Brad Holland was head basketball coach.

Holland resigned in September of 1994 to become head coach at the University of San Diego.

The investigation centered on allegations that four men’s basketball recruits received living expenses, free housing, transportation and tuition payments for summer school and correspondence courses, which are violations of NCAA rules.

The players allegedly involved were Darren Little, Winston Peterson, Danny Robinson and Jerome Washington.

Questions were raised by the NCAA when the players’ names appeared on a list of students enrolled in summer correspondence courses offered by Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God in Lakeland, Fla. The school had been previously involved in NCAA investigations at other schools.

Little, Peterson and Robinson transferred to Fullerton from community colleges before the 1993-94 season. Washington also planned to transfer to Fullerton but failed to qualify academically.

Little played the 1993-94 season for the Titans, averaging 11.7 points, but failed academically and was not readmitted to the university the next fall.

Peterson and Robinson played two seasons for the Titans, and Peterson was selected to the All-Big West second team after his senior season.

University and athletic department officials, and current Titan basketball Coach Bob Hawking, appeared twice before the infractions committee last fall, the last time in November. Hawking was an assistant coach under Holland before becoming head coach after Holland moved to San Diego.