It's not quite over yet.. During a press conference on the campus of the University of Maine, Maine President Frederick Hutchinson and Maine Athletic Director Suzanne Tyler made it clear that while in many cases the NCAA's penalties are fair and necessary, the added year of post-season sanction is "excessive". Maine plans to appeal at least the part of the NCAA penalties that bans the University of Maine from competing in the 1996-7 NCAA Tournament. "We want closure," Tyler said, "but we also want what is fair to our students." Both Tyler and Hutchinson cited their concern for the players who during the last three years have missed two post-season tournaments already and that it was these players complete cooperation that made this investigation complete and successful. Maine noted that the NCAA told them they were impressed with how open Maine, and their players were with regards to giving information and being honest. Such cooperation apparently is uncommon. Maine officials did not entirely focus on the negatives. While disappointed with the decision on post-season play, Maine officials were very pleased that the NCAA agreed with Maine on the Shawn Walsh situation with unethical conduct, especially with the "controversy" surrounding this as Hutchinson said. Tyler said she was pleased to have a compliance system in place that the NCAA has commended, and other institutions have cited as models for their own compliance systems. It was also apparent that there is a sense of relief that things are all out on the table, and Maine knows what their penalty is. Shawn Walsh was not in attendence, but will make his on statement. If I get my hands on any of his comments I'll post them since I know many are interested. Tyler did say that Walsh reacted with disappointment with the decision. Maine was not specific under what grounds they will use to appeal, or if they will appeal other areas. Maine officials did say that Maine would be willing to swallow some of the other penalties with a successful appeal. The NCAA has limits on the time on appeals.. Maine has 15 days to appeal, and there are time frames for everything unlike the NCAA's inital ruling. At worst, assuming all parties use the max amount of time, this will take another 90 days to finalize. Maine officials say they doubt this will take that long. Maine will have a release on this later today, and I will forward this to the list as well when it becomes available. --- Deron Treadwell - [log in to unmask] Orono, Maine INFO-HOCKEY-L Administrator ME-HOCKEY Administrator