15 Ex-Titan Football Players Suing School

SANTA ANA —  Fifteen former Cal State Fullerton football players filed suit Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court, alleging that they did not receive financial aid to which they were entitled after the program was suspended following the 1992 season.

The group’s attorney, Ron Talmo, said the suit seeks $3,500 for nine former players and $8,000 for six others along with general damages. The extent of damages is based on remaining NCAA eligibility, Talmo said.

The suit alleges that the athletic department requested the athletes to work 10 hours per week for money the suit says they were owed. Talmo also said the athletes were coerced to sign agreements of acceptance.

“It’s inconceivable to me that Cal State Fullerton didn’t know they were going to cancel the season before signing players to their 1992 contracts,” Talmo said.

Talmo said he expects the case to go to court within nine to 11 months and that he will request a jury trial. “Based on the way things have gone so far, I feel certain it won’t be settled out of court,” he said.

One of the plaintiffs, Matt Pearson, said he and another former football player, Joe Elizondo, met with university President Milton A. Gordon this week in an attempt to settle out of court.