Wisconsin’s hockey team can say something its football and men’s and women’s basketball teams can’t — it came away from an athletics department scandal largely unscathed.
Unlike the three other high-profile teams at the school, the hockey team was not hit with any suspensions stemming from athletes accepting unadvertised discounts at a Madison-area shoe store.
Four Badgers hockey players, however, were ordered by the school to pay off outstanding debts to The Shoe Box in Black Earth, Wis., and pay the extra benefit each received to a charity.
Assistant captain Alex Brooks, top-line wing David Hukalo, senior Mike Cerniglia and sophomore Erik Jensen were among 40 Wisconsin winter and spring athletes penalized Wednesday by the school for violating NCAA rules.
In addition to repayment, Cerniglia and Jensen must serve 24 hours of community service. Each received extra benefits between $100 and $299. Brooks and Hukalo had extra benefits under $100.
The penalties stem from a Wisconsin State Journal report this summer that detailed discounts of 25 to 40 percent and interest-free lines of credit for Wisconsin athletes. 121 athletes have received some sort of suspension in connection with the scandal.
