CUTS ARE `REALLY BIG BLOW,' SAYS NEW FOOTBALL COACH.Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer Jim Fenwick's new job was never in jeopardy at Cal State Northridge. However, by the tone of the first-year Matadors football coach's voice, you could tell the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. native was affected by the school's decision Wednesday to drop four men's sports. ``I got a gut-wrenching feeling,'' said Fenwick, a graduate of Cleveland High and a former Pierce College In 2006 the Library won a national Excellence award. Academics Pierce College offers associate's degrees, mainly in the arts and sciences. There are also certificate programs in early childhood education, social services, dental hygienist, and others. football player. ``I got a little depression. I wish there was something that could've been done. ``I wish I didn't have to say anything and I don't think I am in position to. Since I've been at Cal State Northridge, all the people have been genuine toward me. It is a really big blow and a big loss. I feel bad for the coaches and the players. I'm not a part of the decision process, but it hurts our family.'' Gone is a successful baseball program that had a .579 winning percentage and two Division II national championships in its 39-year history. Gone are men's volleyball and soccer teams that compiled a combined a 58.2 winning percentage. And gone is a men's swimming and diving team that owned nine national titles in Division II. The football program is 158-200-4 (.441) since it began in 1962. It hardly is as successful as the other programs, but the school has made it a priority. Athletic director Athletic director (commonly, "athletics director") is a position at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, which oversees the work of the coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic Paul Bubb hopes to add at least 15 scholarships to the existing 45 and make renovations to North Campus Stadium. ``We're a (NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division) I-AA (football) program so we're not going to get the same kind of light USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. is going to get being a I-A program,'' Bubb said. ``But is there a niche for us to carve out to make or get by cutting, or as if by cutting; to cut out. - Shak. See also: Carve ? I believe there is and we can be successful at it. ``From every indication that I've had, the community is very excited about the hiring of Jim Fenwick. With the success the program had last year (7-4 record), I got the feeling that (fan attendance) has the potential to be of a much greater magnitude. But it needs the resources to have that chance.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge football coach Jim Fenwick empathizes with the coaches and athletes whose programs were eliminated. Phil McCarten / Daily News |
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