KENT STATE UNIVERSITY DROPS HOCKEY Ann Arbor...13 APRIL 1994 Central Collegiate Hockey Association [CCHA] Commissioner Bill Beagan confirmed today that the Kent State University Board of Trustees has supported KSU President Carol A Cartwright's recommendation of April 5, to drop Kent State University's hockey program effective immediately. "It's common knowledge that KSU's athletic department has been in a state of turmoil since athletic director Paul Amodio was reassigned to a teaching position at KSU in January," commented Commissioner Beagan. Last January, Kent State University's football team petitioned President Cartwright to fire head football coach Pete Cordelli. Cordelli was fired weeks later. On February 7, 1994, KSU's hockey team, following the lead of the football team, petitioned President Cartwright to fire coach Bill Switaj. KSU's hockey team, in its second season in the CCHA, began the 1993-94 season with a respectable 10-8-1 [.553] record, while compiling a 1-18-1 record the remainder of the year. "It would be accurate to say that I was upset upon hearing about KSU President Cartwright's recommendation to terminate the hockey program from the media," commented Commissioner Beagan. Kent State University did not give the CCHA the requisite 12 months notification of voluntary termination of membership. Commissioner Beagan's calls to President Cartwright after her announcement to recommend the termination of the hockey program were not returned. Prior to Kent State University's application for membership in the CCHA in 1990, Kent, through their then-President Michael Schwartz gave their commitment to the CCHA to make several improvements in KSU's existing hockey facility: a new entrance, remodeled lobby and coaches office, improved locker rooms, and expansion of the existing seating capacity. None of these improvements were ever implemented. Commissioner Beagan stated that KSU would not have been granted CCHA membership "without a commitment" to implement these improvements. Commissioner Beagan added, "it is never a good day when you lose a hockey program. In the circumstances given the current leadership vacuum in the KSU athletic department, along with their failure to implement promised improvements to their hockey facility, it's arguably in the best interest of the CCHA that KSU has taken this action." The CCHA is in the process of modifying its 1994-95 league schedule which will be announced in the very near future. ------ end of release ------ John H U Mich So much for parting friends.