NMU suspends Mattson for post game comments

MARQUETTE, Mich. –NMU head women’s basketball coach has been suspended four games by the university for his post game comments after his team’s 69-57 loss to Wayne State.

Mattson was asked by a reporter why Warriors forward Shareta Brown wasn’t named the GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year. Brown averaged 20.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg during the 2013-14 season. Brown was named to the Daktronics All-America First Team.

“Every coach in our league knows they (Wayne State) cheated to get her (Shareta Brown),” said Mattson. “We will not vote for her. There you go- there’s your answer.”

“I would like to apologize to Wayne State University, their coaching staff, their players, and Shareta Brown for the unwarranted comments I made,” stated Mattson in a statement released by NMU Tuesday night. “I would also like to apologize to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference as my comments were unjustified and should not have been said.”

“A mistake was made and given the circumstances I decided to impose a four-game suspension,” added NMU Director of Athletics Forrest Karr in the same statement. “We have a great deal of respect for Wayne State University’s department of athletics. Their key administrators have strong backgrounds in compliance and Rob (Rob Fornier, WSU Director of Athletics) is a consistent advocate for the importance of going above and beyond just following the rules.”

The four  game that Mattson will miss are Dec.18 at Lewis, Jan. 2 at Tiffin, Jan. 4 at Ohio Dominican, and Jan. 8 at home against Ashland. Assistant coach Mariah Dunham will coach the team in Mattson’s absence.