The NCAA News - News and Features

September 14, 1998

Reprimands issued in II men's lacrosse

The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Committee has issued a public reprimand to two coaches and a student-athlete for separate incidents during the 1998 NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship.

The committee reprimanded Adelphi University player Mark Mangan for unsportsmanlike behavior toward an opponent, and cited Long Island University/C.W. Post head coach Tom Postel and Adelphi University head coach Sandy Kapatos for violating the NCAA's tobacco policy.

"The committee acknowledges that the game officials penalized Mr. Mangan during the game," said John C. Parry, athletics director at Butler University, who chaired the men's lacrosse committee during the 1998 championship. "The committee, though, was struck by the deliberate nature of his action. With the emphasis on this issue that college presidents and this committee have adopted, we felt we needed to take action to encourage all student-athletes to make good sporting behavior a high priority. The committee has made many efforts to inform participants and coaches of this concern, and will not accept such action during the NCAA championship.

"The committee was extremely disappointed at the poor judgment the coaches displayed by their use of tobacco," Parry continued. "They not only violated NCAA policy, but the committee also felt the coaches should set a better example for the student-athletes and the young fans who attended at the game."