The NCAA News - News and Features

April 28, 1997

Maryland soccer player reprimanded

The Division I subcommittee of the NCAA Men's Soccer Committee has reprimanded Pierre Vendetti, a student-athlete on the men's soccer team at the University of Maryland, College Park, for inappropriate actions toward another participant during the 1996 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.

The incident that drew the reprimand occurred when Vendetti struck another player in the face during Maryland's second-round game against the College of William and Mary.

The Division I men's soccer subcommittee has issued a public reprimand of Vendetti and has withheld per diem payment to Maryland for Vendetti's participation in the second round.

In addition, Vendetti is required to sit out the next NCAA championship game in which he would normally be a participant.

"The committee was very disappointed in Mr. Vendetti's behavior and strongly believes that the championship should not be tarnished by such acts," said Jonathan B. LeCrone, chair of the Division I men's soccer subcommittee. "These types of actions only serve to discredit the coach, the University of Maryland and the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship."

Maryland has advised the committee that it does not intend to appeal the decision.