CHEVALIER'S CHALLENGE; CSUN'S NEWEST ASSISTANT JUMPED AT UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITY.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

Andre Chevalier had an impact at Cleveland High. You saw it on the faces of his players.

Chevalier looked at those faces last month, faces that seemed so familiar he thought he was looking at himself 10 years earlier. The eyes on those faces welled with tears as Chevalier was leaving Cleveland to become an assistant basketball coach at Cal State Northridge.

Chevalier always felt his work was meaningful at Cleveland. But now, as he stood before his players and asked them to understand why he was leaving, he realized it went much deeper than that. He had connected with these kids and in many cases he made a difference in their lives.

``He was the reason I came to Cleveland in the first place,'' said Kent Dennis, who transferred last year from Bell-Jeff. ``I understand why he left because it was important for him to take that job. But it was so hard for me. . . . He was like a big brother to me, so it hurt when I found out he wouldn't be there for my senior year.''

Chevalier looks back on that day with a mixture of heartache and pride. Their reaction proved his two years at Cleveland were more than a step up the coaching ladder. He left his mark.

``It was an emotional meeting,'' Chevalier said. ``Some guys were upset, some guys were happy for me. Fortunately, they all understood. But it was definitely emotional.''

Making the choice

Andre Chevalier is on the fast track. Eight years removed from Cleveland High himself and four years after his record-breaking playing career at CSUN, he has become a Division I assistant coach. At Northridge, Chevalier will spend his first year concentrating on recruiting and the players' academic development. Chevalier is affable and people-oriented; he is expected to have a significant impact.

Not that he expected any of this so soon. When he took over at Cleveland, Chevalier hoped to return the Cavaliers to the prominence they enjoyed a decade ago. They were on their way after making the playoffs last year.

But when Braswell, his former high school coach, called to offer the CSUN job, Chevalier accepted with little hesitation.

``I thought it would be five or six years before I'd get an opportunity like this,'' Chevalier said. ``That's why I just feel blessed.''

To those who know him well, the surprise is minimal. Chevalier overcame long odds to carve out a memorable high school career, then even longer odds to become the Matadors' career scoring leader - even though no other school offered him a scholarship out of high school.

Born with only a thumb and two fingers on his left hand and minimal eyesight in his right eye, Chevalier did not let his limitations affect his play or the confidence it took to succeed in college. Chevalier experienced other hardships, once living in a car with his mother for six months.

Through it all, Chevalier prevailed, even flourished. Maybe that's why he earned his players' respect so quickly. He wasn't a coach who pretended to appreciate the obstacles kids face today. Chevalier understood. More importantly, he knew what it took to survive.

``I've just always admired him for the way he played and all the stuff he's overcome,'' Dennis said. ``He's somebody I look up to.''

Overcoming hardships

To appreciate Chevalier's quick ascent, you must first understand where he's been. And to admire all that he's survived, it's essential to acknowledge the most important influence in his life.

Chevalier readily admits that none of this, not the CSUN job, his indifference toward adversity nor his will to overcome would be possible without his mother, Shirley, who reared Andre by herself.

Their story has been well-chronicled. They spent the first 12 years of Andre's life living in a public housing project in Maryland. Then when Andre was a senior at Cleveland, Shirley lost her job and eventually her home. For six months, she and Andre spent their time staying with different friends. Although they weren't on the streets, they were homeless.

Shirley landed back on her feet, but the Chevaliers' troubles were not over. In 1994, both Andre's apartment and Shirley's home were destroyed by the Northridge Earthquake. They spent two weeks living in a hotel before moving into an apartment in Van Nuys.

Through all the misfortune, Andre leaned heavily on his mother. In turn, she relied on Andre. Their bond has strengthened through the years. Shirley admires her son for his fortitude. Andre appreciates his mother's determination and the resolve she passed on to him.

``She's just a very strong person, so she's been my role model,'' Chevalier said. ``All her life she's been able to beat the odds and do the things she's wanted to do. No doubt, that's where I get that fight from.''

Shirley looks at Andre and sees much of herself. That he's grown to be his own man and find his own solutions brings her great joy.

``He's always been determined to overcome obstacles and be a winner,'' she said. ``That's why I'm not surprised that he's moved up so quickly as a coach. But it wasn't just that he did well as an athlete, I'm just as proud with what he's done academically and how he's developed as a person.''

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PHOTO (Color) CSUN assistant basketball coach Andre Chevalier left a strong legacy despite just two seasons as coach at Cleveland High.

Hans Gutknecht/The Daily News