Three University of Maine officials failed to implement procedures outlined in the UMaine Student-Athlete Code of Conduct when they learned football player Stephen Cooper had been found in possession of anabolic steroids late last year.

That was the conclusion of UMaine President Peter Hoff, who on Tuesday released a four-page report outlining his review of the application of policy and procedures by UMaine personnel during the Cooper situation.

Hoff determined football coach Jack Cosgrove, interim athletic director Paul Bubb, and vice president for student affairs Richard Chapman failed to follow completely the policies and requirements of the athletic code of conduct in their handling of the incident.

Though aware of Cooper’s steroid possession, Cosgrove, Bubb and Chapman took no action. Cooper was allowed to continue practicing and playing for UMaine during the final five weeks of the season.

Cooper, an All-American and one of best linebackers in NCAA Division I-AA, played in two regular-season games and Maine’s two playoff games.

“The head football coach and the interim director of athletics failed to follow and apply the code,” Hoff said. “In addition, they showed poor judgment by allowing a team member who had admitted to possessing a performance-enhancing substance to participate in game competition until receiving objective verification, through testing, that Mr. Cooper had not used the substance that he had in his possession on Nov. 1, 2002.”

Hoff said there was clear evidence that Cooper likely violated the code, which led to an investigation.

“I think it’s fair to say they did investigate, but they didn’t really follow the letter of the law,” said Hoff, who admonished Cosgrove, Bubb and Chapman for their failure to adhere to the letter and spirit of the conduct code in this case.

“We’re not supposed to talk about any discipline we took,” Hoff said of UMaine policy regarding personnel matters. “I don’t want to give the impression that this was a slap on the wrist, that we found a problem and we simply admonished people. We took it seriously and we treated it seriously within our personnel procedures.”

Cosgrove could not be reached for comment while Bubb offered a brief response to the completion of the inquiry.

“I believe it was well within the rights of the president to conduct a review and I’m glad that this is finished,” Bubb said.

Cooper, a senior captain for the Black Bears, was a passenger in a car that was stopped for speeding Nov. 1 by state police on Interstate 95. Trooper Michael Johnston asked for and received permission to search the vehicle. Inside a duffel bag belonging to Cooper, he found more than 1,200 pills that Cooper admitted were steroids, which are illegal muscle-building, performance-enhancing drugs.

Within a few days, according to Hoff’s report, Cooper informed a coach about the incident. Subsequently, Cosgrove, Bubb and Chapman were informed. Cooper told UMaine officials he had not used the substance but planned to do so when the season ended to get ready for a possible National Football League tryout.

“That belief appears to have influenced their failure to be more diligent in pursuing whether violations had occurred and-or whether they should take disciplinary action against Mr. Cooper,” Hoff said.

“Their failure to follow proper procedure exposed the university and its athletics programs to the potential of serious harm,” he added.

While possession of steroids is not a violation of NCAA rules, it is a crime and does violate UMaine’s Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.

The code requires the head coach of the team affected, in cooperation with other personnel, to investigate any circumstance that suggests a student-athlete may have violated the code of conduct.

If it appears a probable violation of the code has occurred and sufficient evidence exists to warrant further action, the head coach is required to notify the director of athletics immediately. He then must provide a written statement of the charges and a recommendation of disciplinary action to the student, with a copy provided to the athletic director, within 24 hours.

On Dec. 19, Cooper pleaded guilty to steroid possession at U.S. District Court in Bangor. He since has withdrawn from UMaine and is awaiting sentencing.

Hoff said Cosgrove and Bubb did not inform compliance director Scott Hobbs of the Cooper situation, even though it is Hobbs’ responsibility to monitor compliance with NCAA and UMaine rules.

Bubb did discuss the case with Chapman, who is responsible for oversight of UMaine intercollegiate athletics and reports directly to Hoff. However, Chapman did not override Bubb’s judgment on how the incident should be handled.

Hoff said he learned from Chapman in mid-November that Cooper was being investigated for a possible drug violation and asked to be kept informed of any developments. He took his share of the blame, admitting he should have taken further steps.

“I should not have assumed, without confirming, that the matter was being handled properly and that all of the necessary steps and communications were taking place,” Hoff said in his statement.

“I assume ultimate responsibility for the unacceptable handling of the Cooper situation,” said Hoff, who stands behind Cosgrove and Bubb in spite of their handling of this case.

“I think very highly of both of these gentlemen. The fact that some mistakes were made doesn’t change my overall opinion of their ability to do their jobs,” Hoff said.

Cosgrove, whose contract expires in June, has Hoff’s support to retain his position.

“[Cosgrove] really has run the type of program that most people would be very proud to be associated with. We certainly would like to see him stay at Maine for a long time,” Hoff said.

Of Bubb, who is among the applicants seeking the AD position on a permanent basis, Hoff was complimentary.

“Paul Bubb is a very talented gentleman and we would like to see him stay in Maine for a long, long time,” said Hoff, who declined to discuss Bubb’s candidacy for the AD job.

Hoff also made some administrative changes to help prevent such a situation from occurring again.

The athletic director, who since 1999 has reported to the vice president for student affairs, Chapman, now will report directly to the president, as is the case at about 70 percent of Division I institutions, the report said. Hoff believes the move will assure greater accountability.

Hoff also is placing the athletic compliance director under the administrative oversight of the president, rather than the athletic director. The compliance job description also will be rewritten to clarify that that person is responsible for guaranteeing full enforcement compliance with NCAA rules and with UMaine policies.

“Getting that direct reporting relationship between me and the athletic director and making sure the compliance officer is well-charged and in a position to carry out his responsibilities are the most important things to me right now,” Hoff said.

Hoff said he supports Bubb’s proposal to implement a drug education and testing program for UMaine athletes.

“The [football] team and the department’s record in passing any and all manner of NCAA random tests has suggested that we’ve got a department that has a good program already,” Hoff said. “It just would be nice to have something that we can rely on even more.”