Sports DIGEST : Same Old Football, Brand-New Offense

The Cal State Northridge football alumni will give it another shot Saturday when they take on the Matador varsity at 2 p.m. in North Campus Stadium at Devonshire Downs. Admission is free.

The alumni, who have never beaten the CSUN varsity in the annual exhibition game, will be led by 1984 graduate Dave Johnson, the Matadors’ starting quarterback for much of last season.

The Northridge varsity, 3-7 last season, will debut its run-and-shoot offense, a pass-oriented attack popularized by Denver Gold Coach Mouse Davis and installed this spring by CSUN Coach Tom Keele.

The Matadors conclude spring football practice April 27 with the Red and White scrimmage, scheduled for 10 a.m. at North Campus Stadium.

One Last Bounce for CSUN Volleyball

The CSUN men’s volleyball team will travel to USC for a match today, then return home to host Pepperdine on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

USC (14-3) and Pepperdine (17-0) are the top two teams in the California Intercollegiate Volleyball Assn. USC will compete in the NCAA West Regional, which will be held at CSUN later this month. CSUN is 14-12 in conference.

Pepperdine has clinched the CIVA title and has drawn a bye for the West Regional. It received an automatic bid to the Final Four at UCLA.

CSUN Track Teams Battle in Bay Area

The CSUN men’s and women’s track teams will travel to Palo Alto on Saturday for a dual meet at Stanford Stadium.

The Stanford men are led by All-American Shaun Pickering, who has been the NCAA Division I’s leading scorer the last three years. Pickering competes in the hammer throw, shot put and discus.

CSUN is coming off a strong showing in a six-way meet at UC Irvine last weekend. The Matadors swept the hammer throw, and also won the pole vault, shot put and javelin.

Matadors Charge the Net

The CSUN men’s tennis team will play host to Cal State L.A. today before traveling to Chapman College for a match on Tuesday.

Chapman, ranked second in the nation, is CSUN’s strongest challenger for a berth in the NCAA Division II national tennis championship, which will be held May 13-19 at CSUN.

The CSUN women’s tennis team will take on Cal State Bakersfield today and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday.

The Lady Matadors (19-8 overall) are tied with Cal Poly Pomona for first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. with an 8-1 record.

Volunteering for Golf

The second annual Golf ‘N Gusto tournament, sponsored by the Volunter League of the San Fernando Valley, will take place Monday at Lakeside Country Club. Proceeds will go to Volunteer League community service projects.

Information: (818) 785-4134 or (818) 716-6155.

Right Time for a Rodeo

Bull riding and steer wrestling will be featured during the 32nd annual Intercollegiate Rodeo at Pierce College’s Shepard Stadium May 10 and 11.

The rodeo will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday and continue at 1 p.m and 8 p.m. on Saturday. Teams from colleges and universities in Nevada and California will compete. Tickets, $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12, may be purchased in advance on weekdays in the college business office or at the box office on rodeo nights.

Information: (818) 347-0551, ext. 251.