I thought we settled this issue in Havana Harbor a century ago, but it keeps cropping up. I've generally enjoyed Maine's success and fans while also sympathizing not one bit with anyone who violates the rules of college athletics. I have no firsthand knowledge of the facts of this case, can't read minds and can't predict the future, so... I've been content to forego interim judgments and wait for the final verdict. It will eventually be clear whether the University of Maine and its supporters slipped once in running a clean, justified program or whether they have no credibility whatsoever. The latter nails go into the coffin with the next slip-up. The former takes a little longer. I see the questions as "When does enough time expire for Maine to regain credibility?" and "What harm is done if we just wait to decide?" For me, the time expires when I feel Mr. Walsh has maintained an unblemished record longer than one not sincerely interested could manage to. Meanwhile, I don't think staying barely within the rules should be convincing of anything except that he got away with one. As to who gets hurt if he screws up again,... it's certainly not the fans who had a chance to make a clear statement about the integrity of their school but opted to maximize wins. That their credibility would be shot is entirely appropriate. Perhaps some honest players would suffer if the school is suspended from postseason play after they decided to take a chance on someone questionable. Most likely, far more will benefit by findng a path to the NHL. I don't see a need to rush to judgment. A benefit will accrue to college athletics if the claims of Walsh's supporters come true. I can wait and see what happens, but it won't be with the attitude, "Fool me nine times, shame on you! Fool me ten times, shame on me!" It's time for Maine to show that the program is squeaky clean. Bob Griebel HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.