(Hope Tim Danehy isn't offended by this post) I was reading over the various files on the Pat Tardif situation. Just a thought though, as much as I may not like Shawn Walsh, it's unfortunate that his name will be dragged through the mud because of this year's incidents. Although he may have bore some blame for the Tory incident, neither the Ingraham nor it appears, the Tardif situation was there anything he could have done about it. He has impressed me in that he's been able, to this point, to keep his cool despite the fact that the administration (or at least Carville) appears to have cost his team some 30 games. He hasn't lashed out at anyone, publically at least. I'll give the devil his due, I've gained a little respect for him. As for the Tardif situation, is Carville as incompetent as he seems? I mean, he was the NCAA COMPLIANCE OFFICER. He's supposed to know the NCAA rules. Now, I must admit that the NC$$ has more obscure regulations than even the federal government but it would seem that he should be familar with some of the more commonly used ones. One of the rules that apparently occurs with some degree of frequency is the one regarding grad students. I can hardly imagine that this is the first year in which UMaine grad students had participated in athletic programs. I also wonder why the athletic people, whomever, didn't relay Tardif's potential ineligiblity to the coaching staff. Since they allegedly knew as early as Thursday, they had time, according to the AP, to get in contact with Walsh or his staff and inform him that Tardif may have been ineligible. There have been a few people who were praising Tardif for having the initiative in completing his u-grad degree in 3 years and staying on to work toward his masters. Then, Sarah Foster reported that "Patrice is turning pro (St Louis Blues) tommorow (2/25)." My question is: a) Do any Mainers know for sure if Tardif has turned pro or if he's going to shortly? b) If it was his concern for an education that prompted him to go to grad school, then why should his athletic ineligiblity affect his staying in grad school or not? b) is OF COURSE contingent upon the answer to a) being yes. If not, then I applaud Tardif's initiative even more. *************************************************************************** Bri Farenell Clarkson '95 [log in to unmask] Glens Falls High '91 AHL and NCAA contact for rec.sport.hockey Go Erin Whitten (GFH '89)! Adirondack Red Wings, AHL Calder Cup Champs: '81 '86 '89 '92 '94? I'm glad Canada lost but a shootout is a horrible way to end a gold medal game EMAIL ME FOR INFO ON THE COLLEGE HOCKEY CONFERENCES AWARDS POLLS