Plattsburgh State has received a public reprimand, suspensions and a financial penalty after misconduct by student-athletes at the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship in March in Adrian, Michigan.
The Division III Women's Ice Hockey Committee reviewed the matter and issued the reprimand and suspensions in September for the 2017-18 season. The committee became aware of the incident in late August when a Snapchat video was forwarded to a committee member. In October, Plattsburgh State appealed the committee's decision to the Division III Championships Committee, which upheld the suspensions and the public reprimand but reduced the financial penalty imposed on the institution.
Penalties are as follows:
- A public reprimand for the lack of administrative oversight of the actions of team members. Specifically, coaches and administrators were present on the team bus when three student-athletes consumed alcohol as the team traveled to a team dinner after the championship game.
- A one-game suspension for the two returning student-athletes involved in the alcohol incident, to be served during the next NCAA tournament appearance in which they would be participating, regardless of the institution they are representing.
- Reimbursement of per diem for the official travel party for 1.5 days ($90 x 25 individuals x 1.5 days = $3,375).
NCAA guidelines define misconduct as an act of dishonesty, unsportsmanlike conduct, unprofessional behavior or breach of law, occurring from the time the championship field is announced through the end of the championship, that discredits the event or intercollegiate athletics.
The penalties listed above are in addition to penalties self-imposed by the institution.
"The Division III Women's Ice Hockey Committee was disappointed that members of the Plattsburgh State women's ice hockey program violated NCAA championship policies," said Katie Boldvich, chair of the committee and commissioner of the Colonial Hockey Conference and the New England Hockey Conference.
"The goal of the committee is to provide a first-class championship experience for our student-athletes in a safe and positive environment. We look forward to moving past this incident and building toward future championship events," Boldvich said.