The Chancellor of the University of Maine system released his report
yesterday concerning the accusations by Anne McCoy, associate AD, that
AD Mike Ploszek did not intend to report ineligibility problems to the
NCAA.  J. Michael Orenduff said that "All we can conclude...is that we
don't know exactly what was said".  He said that a "climate of anger,
tension and suspicion" led to misunderstandings between university
officials.  He also blamed "extraordinarily complex rules" set by the
NCAA for causing a "paralysis" in Athletic Department staff members,
 
which he said led to "serious lapses of judgement" and "inexcusable"
delays in reporting the infractions.  He says there is no solid evidence
that Ploszek, or anyone else, attempted to cover up.The charges brought
by both Woody Carville and McCoy were because of "misunderstanding".
He also pointed to the fact that Ploszek, although he promoted her to
associate AD last fall, "had very little trust in McCoy" and therefore
did not bother to fully explain the situation to her in full.  According
to Orenduff, McCoy lacked confidence in Ploszek's leadership, which
"no doubt added to her concerns".  Orenduff said he also believes that
McCoy and Carville were both upset that they were not included in the
 
decision-making process.  For their parts, McCoy and Carville stand by
their claims, and insist there was no misunderstanding.
 
Editorial Comment:  Anne McCoy and Woody Carville are rational, intelligent
human beings.  To say that one may have misunderstood Ploszek's statements
may be reasonable; but to say that BOTH completely misunderstood what
he was saying during their meetings doesn't add up.  To say that Ploszek
promoted someone he had little confidence in also makes no sense, you
don't promote someone you don't trust.  One part of Orenduff's report
I can agree with is the portion referring to complex rules and regulations.
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which is charged with
accrediting universities, including Maine, has fewer regulations than the
NCAA, and all the NCAA deals with (allegedly) is sports...of course, the
 
NCAA believes everything is tied into sports, therefore it dictates rules
governing just about every aspect of college life.  Maybe one good thing
that will come out of this mess is that the NCAA will review a few of
its policies and decide they are outdated and out-of-bounds.  I can dream,
can't I?
 
Sorry to interrupt March..err April..Madness.
What are the odds the Championship Game goes to Overtime?
 
John Forsyth
Two more days in the Year of the Black Bear...
 and oh, what a wonderful year it has been...