Contact: John Chandler,
818/677-2130

Braswell to Guide Athletic Department in Interim

The president asked the coach to oversee the department, with administrative support from William Watkins, assistant vice president for student life, for a short period, perhaps several weeks, until the process of hiring an acting athletic director can be completed.

"I'm very grateful to Coach Braswell for taking on this assignment," the president said. "His presence will put a steady hand at the helm of the Athletic Department. And the short duration of the role also will allow him to focus on the upcoming basketball season," Wilson added.

Braswell, 36, of Northridge graduated from CSUN in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in English, and returned in April 1996 as the fourth head coach in the 40-year history of the men's basketball program. "I'm just happy to do whatever I can to help," the coach said.

Braswell added, "This is a very important time for the university and our Athletic Department. As we try to move forward with the goals of our department, people need to know that the student athletes and coaches are working hard every day to bring positive recognition to this university."

Wilson said she expects within weeks to announce an acting athletic director, someone with significant experience, who would lead the department at least for the remainder of the school year. During that time, the university also will mount a national search for the permanent position.

The changes result from the resignations effective today of CSUN Athletic Director Paul Bubb and Senior Associate Athletic Director Judy Brame, with Brame to return to teaching. Both resigned in the wake of women's basketball coach Michael Abraham's arrest Oct. 27 on federal drug charges.

Apart from his new role, Braswell is readying the basketball team for its third season under his leadership. The team has its second exhibition game on Tues., Nov. 10, at home against the Son's Blue Angels, and its first preseason game Sat., Nov. 14, at Long Beach State.

In his first year back at CSUN, Braswell guided the Matadors during 1996-97 to their best NCAA Division I season with a 14-15 overall record. The team reached the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship game, and played before a national television audience on ESPN.

Last season, the Matadors finished 12-16 overall and 7-9 in the Big Sky (sixth place), but the team still qualified for the Big Sky Conference Championship tournament. Braswell has a career coaching record of 26-31 (.456) overall and a 15-17 mark (.469) in Big Sky Conference play.

Braswell has an extensive background in coaching. He served as the top assistant at the University of Oregon under then-head coach Jerry Green from 1992-93 to 1995-96. Before that, he spent three seasons as an assistant at Long Beach State (1989-90 to 1991-92) and was head coach at Cleveland High School in Los Angeles (1985-86 to 1988-89).

Editor's Note: Coach Braswell will be available to the news media at 4 p.m. today after basketball practice in his office, Building T, office 10 on campus, or by phone at (818) 677-3231.