Gambling ring at UM broken> 19 lose athletic eligibility

ORONO – Nineteen student-athletes at the University of Maine, including 13 members of the baseball team and six members of the football team, have been suspended from their respective programs for their involvement in a sports betting ring that numbers at least 40 students on the Orono campus.

Alan Reynolds, director of the University Department of Public Safety, said Friday his department’s investigation is ongoing and the possibility exists more student-athletes, as well as more non-athletes, could be involved.

“It will go to the grand jury next month,” said Reynolds, who is running his investigation in cooperation with the Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office. “The investigation will go up to that point.”

Reynolds said betting on sports contests is not illegal in Maine. But, running a betting ring is a Class B felony.

Reynolds said currently only two of the 19 student-athletes who have cooperated with the investigation are believed to have done anything beyond placing bets.

According to UM Athletic Director Michael Ploszek, the suspensions dealt the athletes are for violations of NCAA regulations on ethical conduct and the athletic department’s internal rules of conduct.

Ploszek said the suspensions will stand until investigation of individuals involved is completed, at which point those not subject to criminal prosecution may apply to the NCAA to reinstate their athletic eligibility.

“I want to stress the act of betting is not illegal in Maine, nor is it against the University code of conduct,” said Ploszek, who said he immediately contacted the NCAA after learning of the investigation Thursday. “Betting as far as the athletic department and the NCAA are concerned is an activity we consider illegal and inappropriate for athletes at the University of Maine.”

Ploszek said the investigation to date has not uncovered any instances of Maine student-athletes betting on contests involving Maine teams.

According to Reynolds, evidence obtained in dormitory room searches indicates the betting involved professional and college sports contests for a period of time extending back at least one semester.

The searches turned up records indicating the ring handled between $3,000 and $10,000 a week in bets.

Two of the athletes allegedly involved in the ring – Chris Altomari of Kingston, N.Y., a sophomore designated hitter-outfielder on the baseball team; and Warren Bennett of Colonia, N.J., a redshirt freshman wide receiver on the football team – were named in court documents filed in Third District Court in Bangor April 16 in conjunction with search warrants used by University Police to search three dormitory rooms.

According to court records, Bennett, who was heavily in debt to the ring, stated Altomari took bets for members of the baseball team.

Maine junior third baseman Shanan Knox said, “I don’t think what they said about Chris Altomari is true.”

Knox and Altomari went to Kingston (N.Y.) High School together and played for the Kingston American Legion team.

The news sent shock waves through the baseball team, which will continue its season despite the loss of the 13 players.

Head coach John Winkin said “I’ve been instructed not to comment on it (by Ploszek).”

Reaction from Winkin’s players ranged from acceptance to disbelief.

“Everybody’s doing it. There are a lot of Division I schools who do the same thing. But we got caught,” said senior righthander Mike D’Andrea.

“I just heard about it today,” said Maine junior center fielder Chad White. “I had no clue. It’s hard to believe any of this really happened. I’m “I didn’t know anything about it,” said junior catcher Shawn Tobin. “This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“I’ve been in the dark about all that stuff, but I can see how it would be tempting,” said junior left fielder Justin Tomberlin. “This is a way to make some quick money.”

The baseball team’s bus had a lot of new faces on it as it left campus for this weekend’s North Atlantic Conference series against Boston University. Altomari did not make the trip.

Several starters were missing, but junior shortstop-third baseman Todd Livingston, who was being redshirted this season after playing in 52 games a year ago, boarded the bus and could be pressed into service.

Black Bear football coach Kirk Ferentz declined to comment on the situation, referring all inquiries to Ploszek.

Ploszek said the investigation is not expected to impact the football season beyond the possible loss of the player or players facing criminal prosecution.

Ploszek said he believed the application process for reinstatement of the 17 student-athletes known to have placed bets could begin as soon as Monday. He hoped the NCAA would move quickly.

“I’m hoping they would act in a couple of weeks,” Ploszek said.