What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

THE University of MICHIGAN 2021-22

The NCAA will be so upset that U of Michigan broke Covid protocol and procedure at the 2021 regional that they'll put Central Michigan on a year's probation.


(old joke but it hits close)
 
I've seen seen many "allegations" over the years in sports and not in sports and many were baseless.
I hope Mel comes through this unscathed and no one tries to make a mountain out of a molehill.
 
J.D. said:
Dude, they were allegations. The University then brought in an outside firm to do an investigation. They have now waited for the conclusion of the investigation before deciding Pearson's fate. It's not that complicated. You can act all outraged by they followed a normal procedure. The one valid point I could see is that they should have placed him on administrative leave.
Click to expand...

Funny...allegations from an entire teams leadership, allegations from co-workers, allegations from ex-players, allegations from people outside the program, allegations from UM staff.....do you really need an outside investigation to prove something that seems to be all over the place? Everyone knew the type of program he was running.
 
The investigators close the report with this conclusion:

These issues facing the hockey program require attention. Despite prior efforts to assess and respond to allegations regarding the culture of the program, additional work remains to be done.

Specifically, the University should review whether [Pearson’s] conduct violates other University policies, including but not limited to Standard Practice Guide 601.90, Protection from Retaliation. In addition, the Athletic Department should take steps to address a number of issues discussed in this report, including (1) the mistreatment of female staff members by Mr. Bancroft; (2) Respondent’s inability or unwillingness to hold Mr. Bancroft accountable for his conduct; (3) pervasive fears among both student athletes and staff members of retaliation by Respondent for raising issues; and (4) inconsistencies in Respondent’s recollection, perception, and/or characterization of key incidents and issues as compared with other participants.

Turmoil.
 
hindsight is always 20-20...

...but i think michigan tech dodged a bullet.

dear mel; thank you for not only doing what you did for us but also for leaving tech at the right time.

the atmosphere at the locker room was not good when he left - per people in the know, during his last three years at tech, the culture was not well.

make what you want out this. but here is hoping no investigation comes our way whatever the reason...

and independent of how long UoM has had the report...

worse than pearson seems to be the administration - if they don't let him go by this friday... well, i guess we'll watch and see.

after this report, really, would anyone want him as a coach? pearson being a tech alum, none of this is good. but not all tech people are good people.

best of luck to him, to UofM, the fans, etc, etc...
 
Hockeybuckeye said:
I've seen seen many "allegations" over the years in sports and not in sports and many were baseless.
I hope Mel comes through this unscathed and no one tries to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Click to expand...

Have you not read the articles or report, this is not a molehill, it is absolutely a mountain and he needs to be removed from his position.
 
Lemonade said:
Funny...allegations from an entire teams leadership, allegations from co-workers, allegations from ex-players, allegations from people outside the program, allegations from UM staff.....do you really need an outside investigation to prove something that seems to be all over the place? Everyone knew the type of program he was running.
Click to expand...

Ya you just simply don't want to read what is being said
 
bose301s said:
Have you not read the articles or report, this is not a molehill, it is absolutely a mountain and he needs to be removed from his position.
Click to expand...
I'm naturally skeptical as it was first reported in The Atlantic. I've seen a number of stories from them over the years and like most these days they enhance and sensationalize their stories.
I'm not going to judge until I hear it from a reputable source.
 
Hockeybuckeye said:
I'm naturally skeptical as it was first reported in The Atlantic. I've seen a number of stories from them over the years and like most these days they enhance and sensationalize their stories.
I'm not going to judge until I hear it from a reputable source.
Click to expand...

Please don't tell me you're getting the Atlantic confused with the Athletic?
 
Hockeybuckeye said:
I'm naturally skeptical as it was first reported in The Atlantic. I've seen a number of stories from them over the years and like most these days they enhance and sensationalize their stories.
I'm not going to judge until I hear it from a reputable source.
Click to expand...

It is understandable that you might not like The Atlantic's view of things or their assessment of the allegations, but the vast majority of media outlets copy and past the allegations straight from the report. The allegations are what they are and the report confirms they are not people that are crying because they didn't get to live their dream. The report also put the responsibility for these events as the HC's responsibility. If he should get a new contract, slap on the wrist, a talking to, suspension, and/or dismissal is what people are allowed to speculate on. 20-30 years ago this wouldn't be much of a story. In today's day and age he might not survive as HC and accomplishments under his tenure might not get the personal recognition they otherwise would deserve.
 
Last edited:
sigx15 said:
Please don't tell me you're getting the Atlantic confused with the Athletic?
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Apparently I did. That's embarrassing but there is a bit of fuzzy brain from being on a ventilator for two months from Covid. I'm one of the few who survive such an experience.
Bit I still won't judge Mel until more is known from other sources.
 
bose301s said:
...this is not a molehill, it is absolutely a mountain and he needs to be removed from his position.
Click to expand...
If this goes on much longer without any action, the heat is going to shift to Manuel and whether he keeps HIS job. The findings have only become available to the public recently but he's been sitting on the report for roughly THREE MONTHS and has done nothing (except support Pearson). One of the allegations against Pearson is knowing there were problems and not taking action to resolve them. Well, that's pretty much what Manuel has been doing for at least the last three months.

With his resume, Pearson will land another hockey job without any trouble. Although it will likely not be one that has direct contact with student athletes (hockey scout, administrator, director of operations, GM, etc).
 
I wanted to read the whole report, but only got through about 6 pages. What I want to know is are other investigations ongoing? Reading the scope of the investigation they were looking at was an employee wrongfully terminated. All the other stuff came up as part of the investigation, but wasn't the focus, wasn't fully explored (I think, again, didn't read the whole thing yet).
So, is Michigan looking into these other things as was recommended by the report? Even without further investigation, there's enough to let Mel go. A culture that may have been acceptable in the 90s is not ok in the 2020s.

Here's where I'm gonna get all ageist. It is time for Boomers to retire. If you cannot adhere to the current societal expectations where sexism and bullying are not acceptable no matter what level of the program you are at, then you can't be part of the program. The work place is no longer a good ol' boys club. Update your behavior or retire.
 
This John U Bacon fellow is raining fire down on U of Michigan.

https://twitter.com/Johnubacon

If the conduct catalogued in that report is not grounds for dismissal, then no UM employee or student should ever come forward to report wrongdoing again. UM will lose the trust of its constituents.
Click to expand...

In my view, if UM ignores the findings of the external investigation it commissioned (which I've addressed here: https://johnubacon.com/2022/08/the-investigative-report-on-the-michigan-hockey-program/…) it sacrifices moral authority.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top