ORONO — Seven members of the University of Maine football team are being investigated for alleged violations of the school’s Student Conduct Code.
UMaine spokeswoman Margaret Nagle on Wednesday confirmed in an email the unidentified players are being investigated for alleged code violations “related to the acceptance of meals in a UMaine dining commons in the past month.”
Nagle said the student-athletes have been referred to UMaine’s Conduct Office because of the situation, but no disciplinary action has been taken to date.
As a result, she explained the student-athletes “are being allowed to participate in full team activities.”
UMaine head football coach Jack Cosgrove reportedly canceled the team’s scheduled spring practice session Tuesday afternoon as school officials dealt with the allegations.
The Black Bears were out on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, going through their regularly scheduled team workout.
Nagle explained representatives of the athletics department Monday contacted the NCAA, the national governing body for collegiate athletics, to discuss the allegations and any potential ramifications.
“Currently, it is unclear if the alleged acceptance of meals would constitute an NCAA violation,” Nagle said. “The university continues to look into the matter.”
Any discipline for a violation of UMaine’s student Code of Conduct or its Student-Athlete Code of Conduct will be determined by the outcome of the conduct office investigation.
UMaine Director of Athletics Karlton Creech said the statement from Nagle is the only comment school officials would have at this time.
Nagle said the names of those involved would not be divulged unless they ultimately were found to have violated the conduct code and subsequently were disciplined by Cosgrove or Creech.
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