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NMU botched handling of Kyle-Carter status

Recent events surrounding the Northern Michigan University hockey program had the entire community talking about what happened. Certainly, it was the topic of conversation at many gatherings for days following the announcement that coach Walt Kyle and assistant athletic director Bridget Berube Carter were being placed on administrative leave.

Information regarding the situation from NMU was vague at best, which led to a great many rumors on what precipitated the university’s action.

Needless to say, social media was abuzz with speculation. The problem with social media is that there are no rules regarding ethical and factual reporting of events. In some cases, the rumors and innuendo which are circulating may possibly be worse than the actual truth.

We understand why NMU has to be circumspect about how personnel matters are handled. What doesn’t sit well with us is that the same community that is asked to support the hockey program and NMU athletics was told, in effect, that it was none of its business as to what really happened to warrant the individuals being placed on administrative leave.

Without any more specific information available, the only thing left for people to do was to try to piece the situation together and speculate, of course, on what actually took place.

Put another way, we believe the university could have done more, and done it sooner, to keep the community informed, as opposed to letting the rumor mill run on in high gear.

Attendance at NMU hockey games has been on a downward slide for several years. With the exception of the NMU vs. Michigan Tech University rivalry, there has been low attendance at the games this year. We are concerned that this fiasco will make attendance even worse.

What should not be lost in all of this is that the university has a strong group of young men that are working hard to put together a winning season for the hockey program.

The recent events surrounding the hockey team have nothing to do with the student athletes. They still deserve our support and that support will help them complete a successful season.

The Marquette area has always been known as a hockey town and it’s important that this hockey town comes out and supports the NMU hockey team.

NMU hosts Alaska Anchorage on Friday and Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. We urge you to come out and show your support for the team. Please don’t let the anger we have heard loud and clear from the community about how poorly this situation was handled by the administration have an impact on going to the game and supporting the hockey team.

The hockey team needs and deserves your support.

If you are upset with how NMU administration handled this situation, you might consider contacting them to share your concerns.

But don’t punish the players in this process. Show the players that the Marquette area is still a hockey town and that we have their backs.

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