Two other colleges paid NCAA piper

The NCAA has recently investigated hockey programs at the University of Masachusetts-Lowell and Colorado College. The outcomes may shed some light on what the University of Maine can expect when this investigation is completed.

Both head coaches were fingered for knowingly violating NCAA rules. Bill Riley, the UMass-Lowell coach, was reassigned within the school. Colorado coach Brad Buetow resigned under fire.

Riley was accused of a variety of violations, such as renting his own apartments to players at a significantly reduced rate and letting a player stay in an apartment rent-free. He also offered his team money if they won a particular game, which they did.

UMass-Lowell was placed on probation for two years, from 199 UMass-Lowell was placed on probation for two years, from 1991-93, including a one-year ban from the NCAA Tournament.

The situation at Colorado College involved a major recruiting violation by Buetow. He allowed a player who was already enrolled at a junior college to practice with his team.

Colorado College imposed penalties on its hockey program that were accepted by the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

The NCAA placed Colorado College on probation for this past year, but the Tigers were allowed to play in the NCAA Tournament.