The LookOut sports
Santa Monica Sports Notes

Rudy Valentino, who won't be back as coach of the Crossroads School baseball team, said he may speak to the media in the upcoming week. First he wants to reflect on the situation...

Norm Lacy, coach of CIF champion St. Monica, will guide the CIF in an all-star
football game against the L.A. City June 19 at SMC's Corsair Field...

The annual Westside Classic baseball game will be played at Jackie Robinson Stadium
(UCLA's home field) next Sunday at 3 p.m. Among the many star players scheduled to participate are Samohi centerfielder Andre Monroe, a 23rd-round draft choice of the Toronto Blue Jays, U. of California-bound centerfielder David Weiner of Crossroads and St. Monica pitcher Billy
Johnson, who had a no-hitter this season.

The Rockies defeated the Dodgers, 11-3, in the Santa Monica Little League's Major
Division playoffs. The Rockies go on to a game at 6 p.m. Monday at Memorial Park against the Cubs.

Marco Salazar had five RBI for the Rockies, including a three-run homer. Edgar Aceves pitched the entire six innings.

In other playoff results the Indians defeated the Yankees, 5-4 and the Cardinals
routed the Red sox, 21-1.

In Santa Monica Little League softball the Yankees will play at Memorial Park Wednesday at 5 p.m. against the loser of a game between the Angels and Diamondbacks.

http://www.samohi.org http://www.nba.com/
lakers/index.htm

Mitch Chortkoff

Long-Time SMC Basketball Assistant Goes to San Diego State

Monday, June 7 -- It's the end of an era in Santa Monica College basketball with the news that assistant coach Marvin Menzies has gone on to San Diego State.

Menzies, who was at SMC eight years, will be an assistant and chief recruiter for new Aztec head coach Steve Fisher, who once guided Michigan to a national championship.

Menzies assisted SMC coach John McMullen in seven of those years. In the other he was head coach because McMullen took a year off. Menzies did so well he was named conference Coach of the Year.

``It's been great for me at SMC,'' said Menzies. ``I learned so much under Coach Mac. I've had opportunities before to become a Division 1 assistant but wasn't going to leave for
just any job.

``It had to be right. This is right. The push for success at San Diego State is amazing and I'm sure we'll get the job done. This is the job I wanted.''

Fisher and Menzies inherit a downtrodden team that won only four games last season. Success might come gradually, but the school has a new 12,000-seat arena and made a long-term commitment to Fisher.

Menzies' strong Southern California ties will certainly help the recruiting but he won't immediately bring SMC players with him. The two best players from the Corsairs' 28-2
team had already signed, center Marcus Mason with Xavier and guard Maurice Potter with UNLV. Recently, point guard Jason Shumate signed with Hawaii Hilo.

Menzies says he has many fond memories of his SMC years. When asked what is No. 1 he says the name Davy Fortson.

The SMC guard was shot and killed at a fast-food restaurant in Santa Monica after a game four years ago. A plaque with Forston's accomplishments rests on a wall in the SMC gym.

``We were very close,'' said Menzies. ``I guess that's what I do best, develop relationships with players. I really like that aspect of the job.

``My friendship with Davy enhanced my life a great deal. I guess you could say I gained an appreciation of life from that whole experience.'' Menzies admits that recruiting to a community college can have its share of surprises but felt that SMC did well consistenly.

``It's a high-caliber program that attracts good people,'' he said. ``I'm sure it'll go on very well without me. Coach Mac has the situation under control.''

However, Coach Mac will have to find someone to fill an important position and that isn't going to be easy.