Press conference transcript

Here is the transcript from Dave Hakstol's press conference this afternoon in reaction to the two-game suspension UND handed down. It might not be word for word, but it's close.

Q. Who will coach the team?

Hakstol: Our coaching staff will coach the team -- Cary Eades, Dane Jackson and Scott Koberinski.

Q. Will Cary Eades be the acting head coach?

Hakstol: It's a little too early to say what roles everybody will fill. We'll talk about that the next couple of days.

Q. When did you know that the gesture was caught on camera?

Hakstol: After the game. You kind of assume during the game that most things are caught on camera. (After the game) wasn't the beginning of my concern with this issue. My concern began as soon as I made the gesture. It was something that was a reaction in the heat of the moment, and it was very improper.

Q. This seems very unusual for someone who doesn't show a lot of emotion on the bench. Was there something that prompted it?

Hakstol: I hope the people that know me would say that Saturday night was a little out of character. . .a lot out of character. One of the things I take pride in is composure and poise and holding that composure regardless of what the situation is. Last Saturday night was clearly a case of losing composure and allowing frustration and emotion to take over.

No. 1, there are no excuses for the way I reacted and for the lack of composure. It was completely my responsibility and I'm completely accountable for that. I feel foolish and certainly feel terrible about my actions and reactions. I think maybe there would be a better time to get into specific things (about the incident). Our league probably doesn't like us talking about some of those things to the media and in public. Take a look at the actual incident that occurred. That's one area I was concerned about. I was also concerned with the resulting calls and resulting actions on the ice.

There's reasons that I was frustrated. However, there are no reasons for my actions and reactions to being frustrated. I'd rather not confuse the issue here. I'm not here to make any excuses. I'm here to fully take accountability for my actions on Saturday. It's not about how I got to that point. That's inconsequential to me at this point. I take a lot of pride in reacting to those situations a heck of a lot better than I did on Saturday.

Q. Do you think the suspension is the right call?

Hakstol: That's not for me to decide. For all actions, there are consequences. UND and Fighting Sioux hockey have extremely high standards. Saturday, I let those standards down. We take a great amount of pride competing at a high level -- competing with intensity and competing with integrity. Saturday night, I let our alums, players and fans down when it comes to the integrity side. There are consequences, but to me, it's about much more than that.

Q. Were you involved in coming up with the disciplinary action?

Hakstol: That process is up to the institution and I have a great deal of respect for our institution and the people in place.

Q. Have you spoken to the players about it?

Hakstol: I have spoken with the players, yes, absolutely. One of things you have a chance to do in life, no matter what it is, whether it's good, bad, positive or negative, you always have the chance to learn. Out of this, I can tell you I will learn a good lesson. Hopefully this is something -- regardless of how difficult and embarrassing it is for me personally and professionally -- I'll have an opportunity to learn from. In some way, shape or form, it will make me a better person and a better coach.

This also is an opportunity for our players to learn and take something from this. Those are the positives you have to take from a situation like this. I've addressed the players and been very honest with them. Just like we talk to them about, there is accountability for each and every action. That goes for everyone in the program. We have great accountability to the public, to our fans and to college hockey fans.

The one thing I talked to them about was the young fella sitting there Saturday night watching television, watching a great college hockey game... and to see a coach of his favorite team act and react the way I did. That's something that we need to really take into consideration. For me, I contacted Dan Benson Sunday morning and asked if we could put a release together to at least get a statement out. It's important to get the message to some of the young people and families to know that, No. 1, I realize the error I made and I'm accountable for it. And in no way, shape or form is it acceptable on this campus or within this program. That was one of the important things in being able to at least get a statement out yesterday.

Q. Was there one specific play that frustrated you?

Hakstol: If you've been through a high level of competition, you know the intensity level is extremely high. And once again, I'd like to say there are no excuses for the level I put myself in. The intensity level is high and in the heat of the battle, unfortunately sometimes we make mistakes. Certainly, I made a mistake. It was a terrible mistake. In life, there are often times where you wish you could go back a second or two. And that's all it would take, a second or two, because of the realization immediately (of the mistake). In the heat of the battle, sometimes you react certain ways you are not proud of. You have to accept responsibility for it. At this point in time, that's the best I can do. I can't go back and reverse it or change it. The best I can do is take responsibility for it, apologize for it and now start to begin the process of trying to rebuild and regain some of the trust I damaged on Saturday night.

Posted by: Schlossman on Monday, February 04 at 7:03 PM | Comments (33) | Permalink