Sports

Hockey player facing charges

Nicholas Payson suspended indefinitely following assault arrest

By Meghan Hayward

Posted on Jan. 31, 2008, at 12:00 a.m.

Nicholas Payson, a member of the University of Maine men’s hockey team, has been suspended indefinitely following a meeting Tuesday morning with Athletic Director Blake James and Head Coach Tim Whitehead.

Payson was arrested Monday in connection with an alleged assault the morning before, according to an article published in the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday.

“Any situation like this is disappointing and frustrating because it shines a negative light on the university’s program,” James said. “It’s not only frustrating to me but also the coaches and other athletes.”

James said Payson will not be a part of the athletic program until his case is passed through the legal system and UMaine Judicial Services. After this process is completed, university officials will meet again to decide what further consequences there will be.

The university will review police reports and determine whether or not the student conduct code was violated.

“If the student conduct code was violated, there are a wide range of sanctions that can be assessed,” Carr said.

Orono police could not be contacted by press time to elaborate on the incident. The Bangor Daily News reported that Payson was charged with aggravated assault following a fight over the weekend.

A man reported Monday that he had been in a fight with Payson early Sunday morning while at a party at Washburn Place. According to a witness and the victim, Payson walked over to the victim and punched him in the face. The victim went to the hospital the next day because his face was numb and swollen and found out that he had a broken eye socket.

Police found Payson on campus where he verified he had been in an altercation with the man. They arrested him and took him to Penobscot County Jail. He has since been released and is scheduled to appear in Penobscot County Superior Court on March 14. Payson faces a maximum of ten years in jail and a $20,000 fine.

Payson is a Veazie native and red-shirt first-year on the hockey team.

Campus Currents: Nicholas Payson