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I'd like to publically commend the University of Maine, and more specifically Sue Tyler. Sue Tyler began her job October 1st, and she was hired to do a job, and she did it, and she got it done quickly. Obviously, she didn't have a hand in the investigation, or in the allegations, but she was responsible for imposing the sanctions that I outlined in INFO-HOCKEY-L. It was not easy for her to do, she was choked up, and it wasn't easy to hear. But she went ahead, and did it, as fair as she could to everyone involved, including Shawn Walsh, but still making it harsh enough to serve as an effective penalty. I can't say enough about her, and I feel very confident that she will be an incredible asset to the University. Obviously, as a life-long blue-blooded Maine Hockey fan, who grew up with the building of this successful program, experienced the NCAA heart-breaks, and shared in the excitement of winning a national championship, the reality that the #5 team in the nation will not compete in the NCAA tournament, and the reality of the other harsh penalties that will hurt the team, not only by the suspension of Walsh, but the recruiting the scholarship penalties, is very sombering, and saddening. That said, it's very hard for someone like me to be objective in this sense. Of course I'd love it if Maine, and the NCAA said, "Oh forget about it", but that isn't practical. Mistakes were made, people need to be punished for those mistakes, and the University of Maine has taken it on the chin, and they responded accordingly. This has been a black-eye for the University of Maine, and to the ice hockey program, and now both can begin to start over. It's been tough on the University, and the hockey team. It's sad that players *today* have to be penalized for the mistakes of yesterday, and I feel for them, but there were mistakes made by the program, and those needed to be dealt with, and they have been by the University. While Hockey East post-season is up to Hockey East, it is *doubtfull* that they will allow Maine to play. To those who do not know, Maine had to go to court to play in the post-season tournament in 1994. Perhaps this is a case in when that may in fact be the best thing. Surely the Maine players would like to play in it, but I don't think anyone should push it. It's all part of paying the price for mistakes made. I for one will support whatever Hockey East decides upon. The only question remains is will the NCAA add any sanctions? Perhaps, but that isn't clear. Tyler researched, and talked to NCAA contacts prior to making the sanctions made public today. Obviously this is a case in which Maine hopes the NCAA will take into consideration what Maine has imposed, and find it acceptable in light of the allegations. So in summary, I applaude Sue Tyler today, and her actions, as disappointing as they are, make me proud to be a student at the University of Maine, and I am confident she will be leader for Maine athletics throughout her tenor her at Maine. As for me, as a Maine fan, I move on. It's good to finally have things out, and the process rolling along. Even though it is disappointing, it is a relief in that sense. I have great faith in Greg Cronin's ability to coach, and even though it is under very poor circumstances, this is a great opportunity for him. I wish him luck. I also wish the players luck in dealing with this, putting this behind them, and improving as hockey players as well as students. Moving forward, --- Deron Treadwell - [log in to unmask] University of Maine --> Unofficial UMaine Hockey Web Page at: --> http://maine.maine.edu/~dtread41/mehockey.html HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.