I am glad to hear that the administration at Maine is launching an investigation
into the situtaion with the NC$$ and Jeff Tory. As Mike Machnik pointed out,
it is to the administration's credit to take a serious stance on issues such
as this.
 
However, I must say that given the trouble Maine has had with their athletic
program and the NC$$, I have to wonder if it has ever occurred to folks in
the athletic department that the NC$$ seems to be keeping a very close eye
on Maine athletics. At this point, and given the problems this season with
Cal Ingraham and now with Jeff Tory, I can't help but think some of this
could have been avoided.
 
I don't think the NC$$ has randomly singled Maine out; in fact, I believe it
was mentioned here on the list that another Hockey East school played an
active role in reporting the situation to the NC$$.  However, over the course
of the past several years, there have been several NC$$ investigations into
the athletic program. Some of the situations that come to mind are the
problems involving use of steriods on the football team (1991), the
baseball players' gambling ring (1991) the questions involving SAT scores
of football players (which I believe was in 1989 or '90) and now, the
eligibility issues surrounding Ingraham and Tory. I feel that given the
problems with some of the other athletic teams at Maine (e.g. football and
baseball) the administration should have made sure that the hockey team
was absolutely clean. I am not trying to slight Coach Walsh or the Maine
hockey program. Rather, I just feel it was the University's responsibility
to make sure that there are no misunderstandings surrounding any aspect of
athletics and academics at Maine.  Sure, mistakes are made. That's human
nature. Also, Fred Hutchinson has served as president at Maine for only
about two years. Some of these violations occurred before his appointment,
or while the University was in the midst of the search process for a new
president. Also, the current athletic director at Maine, Michael Plosczek (sp?)
was recently appointed (1991).
 
The point I feel needs to be made here is that the University could have
exercised more responsibility toward the administration of its athletic
programs. The NC$$ does not seem to take kindly to repeat offenders, no
matter what the circumstances. It is unfortunate now that the latest
episode involves a sport as visible and as respected as the hockey team.
 
Again, I do not slight Coach Walsh or the hockey team. Rather, I feel
the administration should have expected the NC$$ to watch Maine athletics
closely, and that they should have taken the proper steps to insure that
misunderstandings with regard to grades, transcripts, and eligibility
were resolved in due time.
 
--Sid Whitaker
Boston University '95       WBZ News Radio 1030 / WBZ-TV 4  Boston