Some say he’s arrogant and he thinks he’s above the rules. Is he perfect? Of course not. But Shawn Walsh is a man with enormous enthusiasm who works tirelessly to promote University of Maine hockey. Many recognize he’s a fantastic coach, but may not know he never builds himself up by tearing others down. His positive attitude is truly inspiring and knowing Shawn has made me a better person.

Coach, if you think the UM hockey fans cheered loudly for you at the JC Penney tournament, wait until you hear us when you return in a year! Cindy Eves-Thomas St. Albans

All the hype and sensationalism surrounding the recently disclosed NCAA violations at the University of Maine made it painstakingly clear to me that as usual, perception and reality are two radically different ideas. Shawn Walsh has been disgraced and found guilty of a few very serious violations. This he admitted. He attempted to influence an investigation after written instructions from his employer not to. So did his attorney. Perception: Walsh has been reduced to a non gratis status. Reality: He got the loudest standing ovation in UM history and has been offered numerous jobs in and out of the sport. Wonder how that feels to the many qualified unemployed in the state who used to pay his salary?

The Bangor Daily News reported correctly about all the self-imposed sanctions by UM against itself. Lack of control of the program was a major area cited by President Fred Hutchinson as one reason for the severe sanctions against the program and Coach Walsh. What about Hutchinson and his administration’s lack of control over all athletics? Maybe Hutchinson should be sanctioned. Are the UM executives’ hands clean? I doubt it. They still get paychecks every month. Perception: UM is spanking itself before the NCAA does in hopes of leniency. Reality: NCAA would be well served to take into account how little resources were allocated by executive decision for compliance and how little concern was shown when the wheels began to fall off more than two years ago.

I found the dollar of meal money sanction hyocritical. Gambling, they say. What about the 50-50 raffle that is absolutely promoted from the minute you enter Alfond until the 10-minute mark of the third period? Is not this gambling?

The real losers are the players of today and for the next two years. What did they do? Nothing. Punish the administrators, suspend salaries, force leaves of absence, but for once, let the innocent go on to do what they do best: represent the university as good student athletes, and focus on what is important at any university: get an education. Cary F. Butterfield Brewer