North Dakota Hockey Coach Suspended for Obscene Gesture Toward Ref

You've already had a chance to watch the fighting that marred the end of Saturday's North Dakota-Minnesota college hockey game.

The other story in that game was the obscene gesture (read: "little birdie") that North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol was caught sending towards referee Don Adam.

Hakstol apologized Sunday for the gesture, as he should have. However, it wasn't good enough. The University of North Dakota suspended Hakstol.

University of North Dakota co-acting athletic directors Betty Ralston and Steve Brekke made the move, suspending Hakstol for the team's next two games, Feb. 15-16 against Denver.

"We hold all University of North Dakota coaches and student-athletes to the highest standards of sportsmanship, conduct and ethical behavior," Ralston said in a statement. "We expect our coaches to keep themselves and their teams in control at all times. Profane language and poor behavior on the part of our coaches and student-athletes is unacceptable."

UND President Charles E. Kupchella said, "Obviously we were disappointed by the grossly inappropriate actions of Dave Hakstol last Saturday. There is simply no excuse for such displays, anywhere, anytime, under any circumstances."

The university's action apparently satisfied the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, which declined to take further action against Hakstol. A precedent had been set for suspending coaches for obscene gestures toward officials in 1996, when then-Minnesota coach Doug Woog was suspended during the WCHA Tournament.