U Mass Lowell Coach Suspened for DUI arrest

Found this story on-line today, interesting to say the least. I would hope that the University doesn't fire McDonald for a DUI. Hopefully UMass Lowell will give him an opportunity to make things right. This isn't good either for a program that is barely hanging on and we shouldn't down play the seriousness of this incident.

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LOWELL -- UMass Lowell head hockey coach Blaise MacDonald was suspended indefinitely yesterday as the result of his Friday arrest on drunken-driving charges.

MacDonald's blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit of .08 percent when he was found sleeping in the driver's seat of his Toyota Land Cruiser at 8:58 p.m. in Chelmsford, according to police. The vehicle was blocking the entrance to the Woodland Square Condominiums at 262 Littleton Road.

The 43-year-old coach's suspension interrupts a high point for the nationally known Division I hockey program. After staving off the threat of losing its hockey team this year, the university recently sold out 350 premium club season tickets in a campaign to boost enthusiasm for the team.

Although his suspension is effective immediately, MacDonald, who lives in Westford, will still receive an internal university disciplinary hearing.

responsibility to encourage lawful and healthy behavior among all members of the campus community," UMass Lowell spokeswoman Patti McCafferty said in a written statement. "As role models, coaches must behave responsibly and set the appropriate example for our students."

Chelmsford police spotted MacDonald's vehicle after another driver reported it crossing over the oncoming lane of traffic several times on Littleton Road. The motorist also reported seeing MacDonald turning around near the trailer park at 270 Littleton Road.

According to police, MacDonald's speech was slurred and he had difficulty standing up. His eyes were red and glassy and his breath smelled of alcohol.

There was also fresh damage to the front bumper of his vehicle, which police said looked like it had been struck by a small tree or shrub. Police also found four beers and a 750 milliliter bottle of Absolut vodka inside the vehicle.

At the Chelmsford police station, MacDonald was given two Breathalyzer tests. He blew .23 percent on the first and .25 percent on the second, according to police. The legal limit is .08.

MacDonald was held overnight and released early Saturday evening on personal recognizance, said Chelmsford Police Chief Kevin Murphy. He was arraigned yesterday morning in Lowell District Court.

A native of Billerica, MacDonald was named the fifth coach of the UMass Lowell hockey team on April 6, 2001. He came to Lowell from Niagara University in New York, where he was a head hockey coach for five years. MacDonald earned $167,209 from UMass Lowell in 2006.

Messages left on MacDonald's cell phone, at his home and office were not returned yesterday.

Marty Meehan, who was on campus yesterday visiting with faculty and students in his first official day on the job as UMass Lowell chancellor, declined comment beyond the university's statement.

But MacDonald's suspension makes it likely UMass Lowell will need to find a new head hockey coach, at least in the interim, before the start of next season.

This is the second time this year a prominent Lowell coach has been suspended due to a drunken-driving arrest.

Lowell High School baseball coach Dan Graham, 31, was arrested on March 17 and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol on the Lowell Connector, just two days after replacing longtime coach George Cunha.

After his arrest, Superintendent of Schools Karla Brooks Baehr suspended Graham without pay for the remainder of the season. He is expected to return to coaching next year.

Life is about choices and mistakes, this is not a good choice for a role model to make. It's obvious that McDonald has screwed up in this case. I would hope that the University give McDonald one more chance.