CSUN falls to Cal
Bozeman involved in swiping incident

by Michael Rosenthal, Daily News Staff Writer

California coach Todd Bozeman had already endured ceaseless taunts from
merciless spectators at Cal State Northridge on Sunday.

He had already embarrassed himself by stumbling while wildly complaining to
officials who had left him frustrated all afternoon.

And, most infuriating of all, his team had been losing to the outmanned
Matadors before it finally awakened and surged to a non-conference 76-65
victory before a raucous crowd of 1,986 that included many Cal fans.

Then he snapped:  As two assistant coaches tried to restrain him, midway
through the second half, Bozeman apparently took a swipe at a Northridge
administrator after the two exchanged words over Bozeman's contention that
security was inadequate.

The administrator, Howard Garcia, said the coach grazed the side of his head.

Bozeman admitted he had lost control - "This isn't a geek show," he said. 
"People can't just walk up behind you and say whatever they want to.  I'm not
going to take that." - but wouldn't say whether he took a swing.

 When told that Garcia had claimed he did, however, the coach said as he was
leaving the campus to catch a flight:  "Oh yeah, well he should sue me then."

Two Cal assistant coaches said he did not throw a punch.

One of them, Kurtis Townsend, told the San Jose Mercury News:  "I think
that's a guy trying to take advantage of the situation.  I was holding
(Bozeman's) arm.  I know he didn't hit him."

Northridge assistant coach James Morris saw it differently.

"It wasn't a punch.  It was more of a (open-handed) swipe.  He hit him right
here," Morris said, pointing to the back of his head.

The game video, which presumably would shed more light, was not available
immediately after the game.

Garcia said he would consult university officials before deciding what, if
any action to take against Bozeman.

Northridge athletic director Bob Hiegert, who was at the game but didn't see
the confrontation, said he will review a written report from Garcia before
deciding how to proceed.

"We'll look at what Howard says and probably contact Berkeley administrators
and talk to them about it," Hiegert said.

It had to be one of the roughest afternoons of Bozeman's career.

Taking issue with officiating he believed left his players vulnerable to
injury, he yelled and screamed and jumped and darted in front of his bench
and beyond, much of the game.

And the heckling crowd, some seated a few feet behind the Cal bench and
others passing by, only added to his ire.  At one point, midway through the
second half, Bozeman stumbled and nearly fell while disputing a non-foul call
and was ridiculed by Northridge fans.

Finally, Bozeman, disgusted with what he perceived was inadequate security,
could take no more.  He turned to the crowd and began yelling back at the
vocal fans.  He even acted at least once as if he would go after them.

At that point, security officers stepped between Bozeman and the crowd to
prevent a confrontation.  Garcia, in charge of security, then came over and
had words with Bozeman as play continued.

"I said, 'Coach, you coach your team, I'll take care of security,'" Garcia
said.  "I turned to walk away and he took a swing.  He grazed the left side
of my head."

Garcia admitted that he already had turned his back when Bozeman supposedly
had hit him, Garcia responded:  "I turned around.  He was the only one being
restrained."

Bozeman regretted that he lost his composure and apologized to his players
for doing so.

At the same time, he believes he had a right to be angry at the game
officials, who he suggested failed to control a very physical game, and the
university's inability to control the spectators.

"It was a situation where guys could get hurt," he said of the officiating. 
It was getting ridiculous.  That's why it can escalate to where you almost
get into a fight."

Garcia said there's no way to prevent fans from walking behind the bench: 
It's the only way in and out of the gym.

As per standard procedure, the front row of the stands - on both sides of the
gym - is kept clear of spectators, to create a buffer between players and
fans, and one security guard is stationed at each bench.

Garcia suggested that Bozeman had simply allowed the fans' comments to get
the better of him.

"He slipped and people really got on him," Garcia said.