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DARRELL MIHO / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Rainbow guard Garrett Nevels pushed an overzealous UC Santa Barbara student who ran onto the court toward the Hawaii bench during the first half. The incident happened after Hawaii coach Gib Arnold was assessed a technical foul for arguing with an official.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. >> A UC Santa Barbara fan who went on court and confronted Hawaii coach Gib Arnold during a game has been arrested.
UCSB athletic department spokesman Bill Mahoney said Friday the man was arrested after the incident in the first half of Thursday night’s game. He provided no other details and a spokesman for the campus police didn’t immediately return phone calls Friday.
Gauchos basketball coach Bob Williams apologized to Arnold for the incident in which the fan confronted Arnold while the coach was arguing a call that went against Hawaii. Two Hawaii players pushed the man away from the coach.
The school’s athletic department said it issued apologies to Hawaii athletic director Ben Jay and Big West Conference Commissioner Dennis Farrell for what happened during UCSB’s victory.
The department said the safety of student-athletes, staff and fans was important and it was reviewing the incident and “solidifying event protocol” in hopes of preventing a repeat in the future.
