Western suspends hockey players, coach

Western Michigan coach Bill Wilkinson was officially placed on temporary suspension yesterday, while university officials conduct an internal investigation of the school's hockey program.

Two of Wilkinson's players, sophomores Steven Rymsha and Wilkinson's son, Mark, were suspended indefinitely by Wilkinson after Kalamazoo police arrested the two men Friday night.

The players, who are both under 21 years old, were allegedly in possession of alcohol and did not cooperate with the police.

Both were at a team party following a team golf outing earlier in the day.

The party took place in a house owned by the elder Wilkinson, where Mark Wilkinson and a number of other players live.

WARREN ZINN/Daily Two Western Michigan players and their coach were suspended after an alcohol-related incident last Friday. Neither player was of legal drinking age.

Western Michigan Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard announced the decision yesterday. She also appointed assistant coach Jim Culhane to head the team for the interim.

Beauregard added that the Kalamazoo police came to the scene because of a neighbor's complaint of excessive noise.

The Western Michigan athletic department will concentrate on investigating a possible hazing incident at the party, and NCAA violations that may have occurred with the housing situation.

"In light of the incidents which have come to our attention, we felt it was important to remove coach Wilkinson from his current duties and responsibilities to avoid any possible conflict of interest," Beauregard said in a released statement.

Western Michigan media relations director Daniel Jankowski said that under NCAA rules, it would be legal to have players living in a coach's house as long as he charges market price for rent.

Coach Red Berenson informed his players this afternoon of the news.

"He came in and said that he doesn't want anything like that on our team," senior captain Bubba Berenzweig said.

Assistant coach Mel Pearson, who knows Wilkinson personally, said he was saddened by the news.

"Bill's done a pretty good job and is one of the leaders in NCAA rules," Pearson said. "You never like to hear something like this."

Pearson said he also respects that Wilkinson and the program took responsibility quickly.

"I think he just took responsibility and suspended his players," Pearson said. "He's well aware of what's legal."

Michigan coaches tell players at the beginning of the season that any kind of hazing will not be tolerated.

"You tell them 'You don't do it,'" Pearson said. "We make sure our players are aware of that."

Hazing incidents have been known to occur around sports teams and campuses around the country, but with increased penalties and enforcement, the reports have dwindled in past years.

"It's something that years ago used to be a part of joining fraternities and sororities, but it's something of the past," Pearson said.

Pearson also said no players live in any houses owned by any Michigan coaches.

"We (the Michigan coaches) don't have enough money to own extra houses," Pearson said.

Berenzweig described what the Michigan team does to help its players adjust to their new setting.

"We have lots of meetings, usually just socially and have a good time," Berenzweig said. "The seniors like to take them out to dinner."

Freshman goaltender Kevin O'Malley agrees.

"The whole focus is grouping us together," O'Malley said. "We're treated the same as everyone"

Both Berenzweig and O'Malley said no hazing occurs on the Michigan hockey team.

"Our team worries about bigger and better things," O'Malley said.

One of those worries is the start of practice, to prepare for their first exhibition - the blue/white game - which takes place on October 2.

09-23-98