NCAA investigator questions UH fan for lending out car

The NCAA probe of the University of Hawaii men’s basketball program has expanded beyond UH staff and players, according to a man who describes himself as a "fan." He told the Star-Advertiser he was interviewed by an NCAA investigator Saturday.

The longtime Hawaii resident, who asked for his name to be withheld, said he was asked during a 12-minute phone interview about an incident in November 2012. It centered on UH basketball player Davis Rozitis using his car for "two days, maybe one," while he was out of town.

"(The investigator) said they were following up on something that was brought up in their questioning (of players and coaches)," he said. "I said I’ve got nothing to hide."

Rozitis, who completed his eligibility this spring, has not returned any calls from the Star-Advertiser since the end of the season, including one Saturday.

The question remains as to whether an NCAA violation was committed; the interviewee said the investigator told him probably not.

"He said, ‘I don’t think so because you’re not a booster or a supporter,’ " he said. "Maybe 20 years ago I bought season tickets once, but I don’t remember."

There are more stringent rules for the ways boosters, as opposed to regular fans, can interact with players. But regardless of whether information from the interview results in a violation, anyone who previously doubted the NCAA is serious about this investigation just got a wake-up call.

Who is to say there are not other "fans" and/or "boosters" being talked to but who are less willing to let it be known?

When the NCAA’s concerns expand beyond actual university personnel and student-athletes and to people outside of the school’s domain, there is less control and less accountability. Ask anyone who was around for the investigation of UH hoops in the 1970s and saw how that unfolded. This one is on its third month now with no end in sight.

And even the potential for "lack of institutional control" is something you don’t want to have to consider when your school is under NCAA investigation.

I interviewed the "fan" via text message and phone conversation earlier in the week.

He said he was exchanging phone messages with the NCAA. We talked again Saturday after he spoke to the investigator, whom he identified as Mike Sheridan.

He said he received his first phone message from Sheridan on April 28, and returned the call and left a message for him the next day. He said he did not hear back from the investigator until Tuesday, and after another exchange of messages they finally spoke Saturday.

Regarding Rozitis’ use of his car, the man said he was off-island when his girlfriend checked with UH’s compliance department and was told it would be OK for the player to borrow the car.

Upon his return, the man said, he received an angry phone call from UH coach Gib Arnold for allowing Rozitis to take it, and he went to UH to retrieve his vehicle, which he described as a "10-year-old Porsche."

He said it is the last time he spoke with Arnold.

The man said he is an "acquaintance" of UH athletic director Ben Jay.

Jay released a statement Saturday afternoon acknowledging the ongoing investigation, but declined comment on anything specific, including this incident.

As for other benefits, the interviewee said he treats the players he associates with the same as other friends.

"They come to my potlucks," he said. "But everyone brings stuff. They’re pretty good kids."

He said Sheridan did not ask many specific questions about other benefits.

"He asked if I’d given Davis any money," the man said. "I said, ‘No, I never would, and he never asked.’ "

He told me earlier in the week he helped players by being someone they could talk to, claiming at least one did not transfer to another school because of his help.

"I sat in a car two hours with him," he said, of a conversation with one player about his problems. "They would’ve had more transfers (leaving UH)," he added, if not for his counseling.

In anticipation of talking with Sheridan, he pondered in a text last week, "U think its tacky if I ask him for final 4 tickets?"

UH may fail to see the humor.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.