Another Mainiac will probably giive more detail later, but earlier this week, Maine filed their official appeal. In a 38 page document, Maine asked to reconsider loss of football scholarships (13?) and the 1997 ban on post-season play for the men's ice hockey team. TV stations WCSH, WLBZ, and Sports Talk radio station WZON report that, buried in page 10 of the document is a creative and interesting suggestion: that Maine eligibility for 1997 postseason play be restored and that Coach Shawn Walsh not coach during the 1997 post-season. If the infractions committe was looking for a way to penalize Walsh, this might be attractive. I don't know whether Walsh suggested or simply agreed to this suggestion. I missed an interview this morning of his attorney :( Other portions of the document compare the Maine infractions and penalties to recent NCAA cases, contending that such penalties include "blatent" and "flagrant" violations and "unethical" behavior, none of which were finding of the infractions committee. (Personal comment: I doubt that Maine reminded the committee that numbers of violations may and probably was a deciding factor for the committee). The NCAA has 30 days to respond, Maine can make final comments and then the NCAA makes their final decision. Maine's first report on how they have "fixed" the administrative mess is due to the NCAA on Oct 3rd (unless it has somehow been delayed by the appeals process). It will be interesting reading, should it be made public, not so much for what it will say, but for what it will imply about previous school administrations. cheers, Wayne T. Smith [log in to unmask] Systems Group -- CAPS University of Maine System Co-owner of the College Hockey mailing lists