Fann Takes Giant Steps, Signs Contract

Albert Fann, an NCAA Division II All-American as a running back at Cal State Northridge, signed a free-agent contract Friday with the New York Giants of the NFL, according to his mother Barbara.

Fann, who is at a Giants rookie mini-camp in Madison, N.J., received an undisclosed signing bonus and his contract his contingent on his making the team’s opening-game roster.

Fann’s mother also said that the Los Angeles Raiders and San Diego Chargers both made last-minute contact with Fann before he signed.

That Fann signed with the Giants should come as little surprise. The Giants are about the only team in the NFL with ties to Northridge.

It was the Giants who drafted Matador offensive guard Barry Voorhees in the eighth round last year. The year before, Steve Dominic, a defensive tackle at Northridge, was invited to tryout for the Giants on a free-agent basis.

Neither Voorhees, who now starts for Barcelona of the World League of American Football, nor Dominic made the final cut. However, Northridge Coach Bob Burt has another former protege in the Giants’ starting lineup.

Mark Collins, cornerback for the Giants, starred at Cal State Fullerton when Burt was defensive coordinator for the Titans.