BRIEFLY : Pepperdine Coach Retires

Rick Rowland, a resident of Calabasas, has retired as water polo coach at Pepperdine University. Rowland resigned in response to the elimination Monday of the men’s swim program.

The swim program was discontinued by university officials to offset the cost of adding two women’s sports--swimming and golf. The two new programs were begun in order to meet NCAA Division I eligibility requirements, according to Wayne Wright, Pepperdine athletic director. The athletic budget was not increased to accommodate the additions, he said.

The university will honor the 11 athletic scholarships it has committed to the swim program, Wright said.

Rowland coached the men’s swim team from 1976 to 1981, and took over again in 1984. His overall record through Friday is 66-25. His 1984 team was rated 20th in the nation among Division I schools.

Rowland has coached the water polo team since it was begun at Pepperdine in 1975. His 11-year record is 243-126-6. Pepperdine finished fourth in the nation in 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1984. It has been rated in the Top 10 among Division I schools every year since 1976.

Rowland will remain at Pepperdine as an assistant professor of communications, and will assist the Campus Life and Campus Ministry offices.

UCLA Softball to Play CSUN

The UCLA women’s softball team, winners of three NCAA titles in the last four years, opens its 1986 season with a game against three-time defending NCAA champion Cal State Northridge on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

The Bruins, 41-9 last season, return two starters from the Valley area.

Janet Pinneau, a graduate of Granada Hills High, is in her third season as the Bruins’ starting catcher. She drove in the game-winning run in UCLA’s 2-1 victory over Nebraska in the 1985 NCAA championship game.

Gina Holmstrom, from L. A. Baptist High, also returns for her third season starting at first base.

In addition, the Bruins’ two top recruits are from the Valley. Samantha Ford, a pitcher from Hart High, and outfielder Karen Walker, from El Camino Real High, are expected to see considerable action this season.