William Saum, a member of the NCAA’s Enforcement Division, began his inquiry Tuesday into the recent series of eligibility problems at the University of Maine in Orono.

The NCAA’s self-proclaimed fact-finding mission, the first ever conducted at the university, will include interviews with at least 12 administrators, coaches and athletes. UMaine Sports Information Director Matt Bourque said Tuesday his name has been added to the list of people with whom Saum will meet.

It is clear the NCAA wants to avoid any unnecessary fanfare during Saum’s visit to Orono. He is conducting the interviews on campus, but he has asked university officials not to divulge the location of the meetings.

In a Monday press release, the university advised that Saum will not be available to the media during his stay. UMaine spokesman John Diamond, who was among the first to talk to Saum on Tuesday, said he briefed the NCAA representative about how the university administration has handled the events within the athletic department since October.

Diamond said it is apparent the NCAA wants to avoid any unneccessary distractions or attention during the interview process.

“At the end of my interview, (Saum) mentioned that he doesn’t feel it’s appropriate for people to deal with his investigation in the media,” Diamond said. “In situations like this, it can get self-serving at times.”

While Diamond pointed out that the university’s policy is not to tell employees whether they may discuss such matters, Saum and the NCAA would prefer that the contents of the interviews remain confidential.

“He doesn’t want to see people who might be in a contentious position expressing their views in the media while he is ascertaining the facts,” Diamond said. “My interpretation is that he sees that as being counterproductive to what he’s trying to accomplish.”

Diamond said Saum’s schedule calls for him to finalize his interviews with a full schedule of discussions Wednesday. However, the process could continue into Thursday, Diamond said.

Bourque said he is willing to cooperate fully during his Wednesday morning meeting with Saum.

“I’m happy to answer whatever questions they have,” Bourque said. “I have no way of knowing what they’re going to ask. I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

Retired compliance officer Woody Carville, associate athletic director Anne McCoy, acting compliance officer Tammy Light, NCAA faculty representative George Jacobson, hockey players Chris Ferraro and Peter Ferraro, hockey coach Shawn Walsh, men’s basketball coach Rudy Keeling, women’s basketball coach Joanne Palombo and outgoing athletic director Mike Ploszek were scheduled to talk to Saum on Tuesday or Wednesday. – – –

Throughout his coaching career, University of Maine baseball coach John Winkin has been reluctant to give up outs by having his players bunt.

Winkin appears to have turned over a new leaf this season. W Winkin appears to have turned over a new leaf this season. While his freshman-laden Maine team tries to make the jump to Division I college pitching, the Black Bears have bunted much more often.

Last weekend’s North Atlantic Conference series against Boston University is a prime example. The Bears executed eight sacrifice bunts, four of which led to runs.

“In my judgment, it has become very important for this team that we develop the ability to move runners,” Winkin said. “The bunt’s the thing that has failed us at times, but I think we’re getting better at all phases of moving runners.”

Maine has executed 22 sacrifices in 32 games this season, matching its 60-game total of a year ago. Winkin said if the Bears had more veterans who hit well consistently, the bunts would be less evident.

“When we’ve got good hitters, we like to let them swing the bats,” Winkin said. “Right now, our greatest deficiency is inexperience, and bunting is a way to help overcome it.”

Freshman Dan Catlin leads the team with seven sacrifices and classmate Matt Trahan has five.