ORONO – A week has passed since University of Maine football players Paris Minor and Stefan Gomes were designated as “withheld from competition” for violating team rules.

With an important Atlantic 10 clash against conference preseason favorite and 10th-ranked William & Mary looming Saturday night, their status remains unchanged.

“I don’t have anything to tell you right now, I’m sorry,” frustrated coach Jack Cosgrove said Thursday afternoon. “There is a decision-making process ongoing.”

Gomes and Minor, both junior wide receivers for the 11th-ranked Black Bears, were held out of last Saturday’s season opener against Central Connecticut in Portland because of violations that have not been disclosed by the university. At the time, UMaine announced their status for future games would be determined at a later date.

Paul Bubb, UMaine’s interim athletic director, said he, after consultation with Cosgrove and the players, has taken the matter under advisement.

“One of the things I try to do is get as much information as I can,” said Bubb, who has been reviewing how UMaine has handled similar rules violations in the past.

“I believe that we have acted swiftly, following our policies and procedures,” he added. “They do leave some discretion to the athletic department as to what type of action is imposed. That’s what I’m looking at right now is what is appropriate.”

Minor and Gomes have been allowed to continue practicing with the squad and attend team meetings since their transgressions came to light.

“The kids are practicing and they’ve been great, and our team has been supportive of them,” said Cosgrove, who remains hopeful a decision on the players’ status will be made soon.

“I’m still confident, and that’s the way I am by nature,” Cosgrove said.

Gomes and Minor are UMaine’s top two wide receivers. Gomes, from Hyannis, Mass., made 60 receptions for 787 yards and nine touchdowns last season, all team highs.

Minor, who hails from Woodbury, N.J., had 52 catches for 754 yards and three TDs a year ago.

UMaine’s Tyler wins Ley Award

Former UMaine athletic director Suzanne Tyler, who stepped down in June after six years at the head of Black Bear athletics, has been selected as the recipient of the Katherine Ley Award.

The award was established 1983 to honor an eastern women’s athletic administrator who exemplifies the values displayed by Ley. They include being a strong proponent of women’s issues, a creator of programs and opportunities for women in athletics; and a role model for women’s coaches and administrators, among others.

Tyler will receive the award Oct. 1 at the ECAC Fall Convention Honors Dinner at the Sheraton Hyannis (Mass.) Hotel.

Tyler’s career has spanned 32 years as an intercollegiate coach, instructor and athletic administrator. She was UMaine’s first female AD and holds the distinction of being the only Division I coach to win NCAA titles in two different sports, lacrosse and field hockey.

Prior to her tenure at UMaine, Tyler was a coach and administrator at Maryland. She coached lacrosse for 15 seasons and field hockey for 13, racking up 348 victories.

Husson officially joins NCAA

Husson College of Bangor, which for the last four years has been a provisional member of the NCAA Division III ranks, has been granted active membership status effective Sept. 1.

Beginning this academic year, Husson will be eligible to participate in NCAA Championships. Membership also enables Husson to have a vote at the annual NCAA Convention.

“I am extremely excited for Husson because this opens up opportunities for our students and the school which we didn’t have in a single affiliation,” said Husson athletic director Pam Hennessey.

Husson also is a Division II member of the NAIA and will retain dual membership in both organizations.

“It is particularly important for football and field hockey [to be an NCAA member] because competition [in those sports] in the Northeast is not available in NAIA,” Hennessey explained.

Husson, which plans to field its first varsity football team in more than 50 years next year, began practicing Thursday afternoon under head coach Gabby Price.