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Cal State Northridge supporters ask City Council to urge university and CSU regents to keep football program
Summary
Coaches, alumni, students and community leaders addressed the City Council urging Cal State Northridge and the California State University chancellor’s office not to discontinue the university’s Division I football program, citing student opportunity and community benefit.
Dozens of Cal State Northridge alumni, coaches, students and community members urged the Los Angeles City Council today to press the university and the California State University system to preserve CSUN’s Division I football program.
Jeff Kieran, the Cal State Northridge football coach, and John Chandler, the university’s public affairs director, told the council the school faces budget pressures and an athletic budget shortfall. Chandler said the university was considering discontinuing the program after an athletic budget shortfall of about $700,000 and that the university had solicited public comment on the proposal.
Why it matters: Supporters said the football program provides scholarship and non-scholarship opportunities for students from Los Angeles and surrounding communities, helps keep students in college and creates revenue and alumni engagement. “Cal State Northridge is the centerpiece of the San Fernando Valley,” coach Kieran said, arguing the program offers local athletes a path to college close to home.
Community testimony and council reaction: Speakers included Crenshaw High School counselors, alumni, former players and city residents who said ending the program would harm local youth opportunities. Councilmembers heard requests to contact university leadership — including the CSU chancellor and the campus president — to urge reconsideration. Councilmember Brown said he would bring a motion the following day to encourage the university and regents not to discontinue the program and, if necessary, to find ways to assist.
Formal action: Councilmembers did not take legislative action on university governance or CSU budgets at the meeting. The comments were taken during the public comment period and will be entered in the public record.
Ending: Supporters asked the council to weigh in with university leadership and to explore ways the city could support the program. Councilmembers indicated they would consider further steps and at least one said he would introduce a motion on the matter at an upcoming meeting.
