UM coaches quiet on Tupper report> Maine president still debating options

ORONO – Mum was the word Wednesday among the members of the University of Maine coaching staff, who were taking a wait-and-see approach on possible actions by UMaine President Fred Hutchinson in response to the report issued Tuesday by independent investigator Stanley Tupper of Boothbay Harbor.

Tupper’s report alleged serious lapses in judgment as contributing to the mishandling of eligibility and compliance violations by UMaine Director of Athletics Mike Ploszek, former compliance director Woody Carville, NCAA faculty representative George Jacobson, and Hutchinson himself.

University officials not only allowed five graduate students to compete in athletics without carrying adequate academic credits, but two athletes were permitted to compete even after the problem was discovered.

UMaine spokesman John Diamond said Wednesday that Hutchinson and members of his staff were talking about their options.

“On the AD (athletic director) front, they’re still discussing the report and contemplating ways to address the problems,” said Diamond, who would not predict how soon the matter would be finalized.

Coaches, having heard all sides of the story, weren’t about to criticize anyone involved. Instead, they are taking a step back and hoping Hutchinson will act quickly in responding to the findings.

“I think that (Tupper) was certainly thorough, but I’ve got no comment,” said hockey coach Shawn Walsh, who was on a recruiting trip.

“They didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know,” was the response of football coach Jack Cosgrove.

None of the coaches interviewed was anxious to delve into potential remedies, particularly in terms of how Hutchinson should handle personnel issues.

“I don’t have a real good feel for where everybody is,” said men’s basketball coach Rudy Keeling. “I’m kind of waiting to see what the president is going to do. I think he’s in a tough position.”

One important consideration that was addressed Tuesday by both Tupper and Hutchinson was the priority of the university’s academic mission in relation to its athletic aspects.

They know perspective is appropriate in analyzing the role of athletics at the university. Tupper charged that sports may well be garnering too much attention.

“May I say that a university is judged first and foremost for its academic standing and its reputation for providing a quality education,” Tupper said in his report. “Athletics are an important part of the college experience as are performing arts and other extracurricular activities.

“However, sports are often overemphasized at universities, driven in part by alumni pressure for winning teams and titles. Large donations often flow to universities that produce winning teams. Notwithstanding, athletic prominence never should be at the expense of acadmic standards or ethical considerations.”

Hutchinson stressed that academics will always take precedence over athletics. Further, he made it clear he has many more important functions to perform other than baby-sit the athletic department on a daily basis.

“By following the media, one might get the impression that athletics are at the center of this university’s mission,” Hutchinson said. “That is not the case. Far from it.

“Athletics are indeed a part of the university experience, but only to the extent that they complement the other social, cultural, and educational elements of a complete learning environment.”

Steve Barkan, an associate professor and chairman of the university’s sociology department, is concerned about how the recent incidents are affecting the public’s perception of the university.

“It’s bad publicity for the university and I think everybody realizes that,” Barkan said. “I’m glad for the sake of the university that (Tupper) did not find any evidence of a cover-up.

“It seems to have been ineptitude rather than malfeasance,” he added. “I don’t want people to be corrupt, but I also don’t want them to be inefficient.”

Barkan hopes the university can get back to business now.

“I really think we’ve bottomed out and, given the investigation that took place, I hear they’re hiring a full-time compliance officer,” he said. “I hope with that move all these problems will be behind us and we can get a fresh start.”

What should Hutchinson do about the situation now that all the facts appear to be out in the open?

“I can’t say. That’s really (Hutchinson’s) decision to make,” said Barkan, whose primary concern is maintaining a university dedicated to fostering an atmosphere of higher learning and serving the people of Maine.

“I don’t think anybody takes any glee in what has been happening over there,” Barkan said. “It’s a shame that it’s hurting the image of the university, because we really need to be an excellent university academically for the people of Maine. There’s a lot of good things that go on here.”