For this post, I am shunning the now-time-honored tradition on HOCKEY-L of not using the term "NCAA" in messages, because I think the NCAA deserves a pat on the back for a job well done in the Tardif case. To me, the key part of the decision is that Tardif's eligibility has been restored. This surprised me a bit. I thought it was distinctly possible that as with Cal Ingraham and others, the NCAA would rule that Tardif would have to sit out as many games as he played while ineligible - in this case, 21 - and that would effectively end the senior's college career. But they restored Tardif's eligibility, because the NCAA felt Tardif should not be penalized by a mistake the university made. The quote from the Globe article which quoted the NCAA statement reads, "The staff believed that Mr. Tardif, as well as other student-athletes, were specifically mis-advised regarding the rule." I'm happy to say I am thrilled with this decision and I hope it is a sign of more common sense to come in the handling of cases by the NCAA. We waste little time in bashing the NCAA when they do something ludicrous; I think they deserve to be recognized when they do something right. --- --- Mike Machnik [log in to unmask] Cabletron Systems, Inc. *HMM* 11/13/93 <<<<< Color Voice of the (16-16-2) Merrimack Warriors WCCM 800 AM >>>>>