Retyped, without permission, from the Cornell Daily sun, May 7, 1993
 
"Hockey hosting program violates NCAA regulation"
by Eric Hausman and Spencer Patterson
 
The Cornell men's hockey team is in violation of NCAA regulations, according
to Athletic Director Laing E. Kennedy '63.
In an exclusive interview with The sun last night, Kennedy  confirmed that a
University study found that the policy of allowing team members to live with
'host families' conflicts with NCAA rules.
The University has reported itself to the NCAA office, which will review the
matter and issue a report, according to David Berst, assistant executive dir-
ector for enforcement at the NCAA.
"When you discuss your own problems, they'll treat you much more leniently,"
said Brian Austin, Cornell's associate athletic director.
According to Kennedy, the host program will be discontinued starting next
semester.
"We're confident that we no longer want to have host-family housing,"
Kennedy said.
Host families and team members were made aware of the findings during meetings
last night.
The host program provides an opportunity for players to live with a family in-
stead of in a dorm, thus alleviating some of the social and financial pressures
associated with attending college.  This option is particularly attractive to
foreign players who may not be familiar with the American collegiate system.
Kennedy said the athletic department has already begun investigating on- and
off-campus housing alternatives for incoming recruits and current players,
who have come to rely on the host program.  He added that "their financial
aid packages will have to be reworked" to account for their additional housing
costs.
Rule change
The long-standing host program underwent a similar investigation in 1983 but
was found to be permissible under NCAA rules.  According to Kennedy, however,
the rule was changed in 1989, although neither the NCAA nor Cornell has re-
sponded to the change until now.
"The housing arrangement for hockey players has been subject to periodic
reviews by the Ivy League," Kennedy said.  "Not until recently did the league
office or Cornell have reason to believe that this program was not permitted
under NCAA regulations.  If rules have been misinterpreted or violated, we
will correct the situation and implement proper changes immediately."
The current rule states, "A member institution shall not permit individuals
outside the institution to serve as 'sponsors' or 'families' for student-
athletes who are enrolled in the institution unless such a sponsorship
program exists to provide the same benefits and support services to all
students at the institution."
In-house investigation
In addition to the NCAA's review, Cornell will conduct an investigation of its
own, headed by Robert Hillman, associate dean of the Cornell Law School.
According to Hillman, his services were requested by University President Frank
H.T. Rhodes on Wednesday.
Hillman said he hopes to write his report by the end of this month.
Cornell goalkeeper Andy Bandurski '95, one of the icers who lives with a parti-
cipating family, said it is too early to tell what impact this policy change
will have on the team.
"They did not give us any information other than that it is being reviewed,"
Bandurski said.  "Right now I have no emotion because It's [sic] still being
reviewed."
[end of quoted material]
 
Sorry for any typos--now off for a well-earned cup of coffee!
Lisa Sweeny
oops, Sweeney
CWRU '88, Cornell '93?