The longtime athletic director of the University of Alaska Anchorage has been fired.

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Steve Cobb was fired by the university Wednesday. The action follows tumultuous weeks and questions over the handling by Cobb, and the university, of a 2011 incident in which former hockey coach Dave Shyiak struck a player with his stick during a practice.

Shyiak was fired in March after eight seasons without a winning record.

Cobb received “no confidence” votes from the UAA Hockey Alumni Association and the Alaska State Hockey Association. Both groups said Cobb was out of touch with the hockey community.

Until an interim is named, Cobb will be replaced Tim McDiffett, the school’s senior associate athletic director.