As if problems couldn't get any worse for the University of Maine
athletic department, more NCAA violations were revealed Thursday.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Maine officials announced
that an internal investigation turned up five athlete eligiblity
violations.
 
Students from the field hockey, cross country, indoor track, football
and ice hockey programs were found to be ineligible last Thursday.
 
Patrice Tardif, a senior forward for the Black Bears ice hockey team,
is no longer eligible. Chances are the Black Bears will have to
forfeit all games Tardif played in while ineligible.
 
Because of the violations, which university officials will report
to the NCAA, Woody Carville, Maine's compliance officer, has been
fired and will be considered for a reassignment. Carville will be
replaced on an interim basis by Robert E. Whelan, who is currently
UMaine President Frederick Hutchinson's executive assistant. A
nation-wide search for a permanent replacement will be conducted
shortly.
 
Also, Athletic Director Michael Ploszek has been suspended for
one week without pay. UMaine Vice President for Business and
Finance Charles Rauch will be the acting AD during Ploszek's
suspension.
 
Ryan Robbins
Stodder Hall
University of Maine
 
[log in to unmask]