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The games that were forfeited were because the university used an ineligible player. We did not use an ineligible player in 92-93cause somebody (AHEM!) destroyed the video tape!!
--but seriously. what did the ncaa get paid to not have that title removed?? i can't believe they would except a gift of your finest sheep. what else does maine have to pay off a debt that large!?!?!?!
Might take 3-4 years. Might not. Case in point: UMass-Lowell
Just in case there was any confusion over the motivating factor behind Coach Whitehead's dismissal ...
In $upporting thi$ decision, Director of Athletic$ $teve Abbott added, “Thi$ i$ about the future of our marquee program. $ince 2008, UMaine ha$ experienced declining Hockey Ea$t $ucce$$, $eason ticket $ale$ and overall ticket revenue$, and waning $tudent engagement in men'$ ice hockey. The Pre$ident and I are committed to en$uring that our Men'$ Hockey Program is financially $u$tainable, continue$ to focu$ on developing the $tudent-athlete and i$ known nationally for excellence.”
And capped off by UMaine's transparent-yet-incredibly-naive financial exit strategy ...
Whitehead had one year remaining on a four-year extension of his employment contract negotiated in 2010. In choosing not to pursue an additional extension from discussions with Coach Whitehead, the University will provide up to $195,000 related to one year's salary, plus one month's salary in lieu of notice. President Ferguson will use only privately raised funds from the President's Discretionary Account to meet that obligation and no funds will be reallocated from the current university budget committed to academic programs, faculty, student or operational needs. Abbott ha$ indicated that the Athletic$ Department i$ committed to reimbur$ing the President'$ inve$tment through anticipated revenue$ generated by renewing fan intere$t and increa$ed ticket $ale$.
* Firing the coach with a year left on his contract = "investment"
* "President's Discretionary Account" = retroactive financial aid????
I gotta admit that, despite the fan uproar that's preceded (and based on AD $teve'$ comments, very clearly precipitated) yesterday's job action, this was a brave decision by UMaine. And I'm a little surprised they didn't "bite the bullet" for one more season, especially with the team's second half turnaround. Especially where it's *only* been six years since Coach Whitehead's program experienced four trips to the FF in a six-year stretch, including two losses in the Finals.
In the meantime, the folks in Durham show no signs of upsetting the applecart, despite Coach Umile now at ten (10) seasons (and counting) past an identical six-year stretch.
Fortune favors the brave. Assuming UMaine likely got the first half of their decision right, it will be interesting to see how Part Two of the decision (the successor) turns out.
