CSUN NOTEBOOK: FACELIFT COULD DO WONDERS.

Byline: Rizza Yap Daily News Staff Writer

Fred Miller, former athletic director at Arizona State, San Diego State and Long Beach State, said Cal State Northridge could solve its athletic problems with a facelift of its sports facilities.

``Cal State Northridge, what you have on your plate today is not an attractive offering,'' said Miller at Monday night's meeting of the Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics. ``You have a major college football program in name only. You have no stadium, no (basketball) arena, no baseball stadium. It all comes down to facilities. If you don't have a quality facility, who wants you?''

Miller suggested erecting an indoor facility like Syracuse's Carrier Dome - which was built for $27 million several years ago - to attract the attention of a conference that suits its athletic program better than the ``cold weather Big Sky Conference.''

He estimated a similar venue could cost Northridge $40 million but added that a multi-purpose facility attracts large revenues in the long run. Aside from private donations, student fees could help pay for the stadium, Miller said.

``You could go back to Division II, but I don't think that's where you aspire to be,'' Miller said. ``Think big for a change. If you're thinking of band-aiding the program right now, the program's going to collapse under your weight.''

Baseball coach Mike Batesole, one of eight Northridge head coaches who accepted the task force's invitation to speak at the meeting, said that constructing a new stadium is key to rebuilding his program - assuming it's not cut.

Two years ago, Batesole said, he lured recruits and former assistant coach Tim Montez to the program in part with blueprints for a new stadium. Aside from playing in what Miller called a ``substandard'' facility, Batesole pointed out that his players assume the role of groundskeepers, staying 20 minutes before and after practice to work the field.

A task force member asked Batesole what his wish for the baseball program would be. His replay, in part: ``You build me a $2.5 million stadium, and that first recruiting class will play in the World Series.''

Basketball team wins exhibition: Guard Derrick Higgins scored eight of his 26 points in the last two minutes of the second overtime as Northridge beat California All-Stars 114-111 in a men's basketball exhibition game at the Matadome.

Matadors forward Jabari Simmons had a game-high 32 points and 11 rebounds while guard Greg Minor added 27.

Because of suspensions, injuries and players who fouled out, Northridge finished with just five available players. Former Northridge guard Brooklyn McLinn led the All-Stars with 17 points, while ex-Loyola Marymount forward Wyking Jones and ex-Oklahoma guard Tony Martin added 14 apiece.

Northridge's next exhibition game is Nov. 10 against the Sun Blue Angels at home.