The disciplinary action stems from a recent court case in which he pleaded guilty to one count of domestic violence - a misdemeanor. Brathol received a 12-month delayed sentence at the Sept. 9 hearing. If he complies with court guidelines and remains free of any convictions during that one-year period, the case will be deleted from his record. An NMU committee representing athletics, public safety and the dean of student's office reviewed the situation to determine if university sanctions were warranted. The committee found that Brathol's conduct violated the Drug and Alcohol Policy for Student Athletes Engaged in the Intercollegiate Athletics Program of Northern Michigan University.
Athletes are visible representatives of the university.
Along with the privilege of competing for Northern comes the responsibility of conducting themselves in ways that reflect positively on this institution. Brathol will miss the Wildcats' Nov.19 season opener against Michigan Tech at the Berry' Events Center. I've discussed this with the team. They know this was inappropriate behavior, and that there are consequences that come with it. I made it clear that we expect more out of our players.