David Matlin’s first day as University of Hawaii athletic director has finally arrived. The first bit of controversy beat him to his new office, however. It’s one of those decisions to make that a large number of people will disagree either way. The kind that Matlin will have to get used to dealing with and hopefully make the right choice consistently.
If this is Matlin’s decision to make — and it should be — I’m quite sure he will come down on what I strongly believe is the right side: Meaning retired NBA superstar Gary Payton, who was scheduled to speak at Wednesday’s basketball banquet, will not do so.
When then-coach Benjy Taylor told the Star-Advertiser’s Brian McInnis last month that the Hall of Famer had agreed to speak at the banquet, it seemed like a great get — and very appropriate. Payton, known as "The Glove," is one of the best defensive players in NBA history, and defense was UH’s trademark on the way to its 22-13 season.
Unfortunately, Payton addressing this gathering is no longer appropriate (although many who decry "political correctness" and champion "due process" will disagree). Last week he was suspended from his job as an analyst at Fox Sports 1 on the heels of a lawsuit by a woman alleging Payton repeatedly assaulted her in January.
Payton denies the allegations. Perhaps he is innocent and it is an attempt to grab cash from a rich celebrity. But does UH really want to bet on that?
Due process is different in a court of law than it is for whom you officially endorse speaking to an assembled group of your student-athletes, presumably as a role model. It would be a big mistake and signal a severe lack of judgment for Matlin or anyone at UH now to allow Payton to take the podium at the event celebrating the season — that is, unless he is somehow exonerated before Wednesday.
If Payton’s agent is on the ball, he has advised his client to lay low and avoid public appearances at this time, anyway. A TMZ ambush interview wouldn’t be good for anyone involved right now, other than TMZ.
Matlin, of course, has many other issues to deal with, but this is one of those unexpected little brushfires that will come up every now and then. His new job is one where you have to expect the unexpected.
It adds to the misfortune that this affected the men’s basketball team, a program beset with problems and indignation despite its on-court success this season. Another issue Matlin must address soon is the school’s response to the NCAA’s notice of allegations stemming from its investigation of UH basketball.
Most of that work is already done, but Matlin must obviously at least appear to be on board with any self-imposed sanctions and carry the ball from here.
If the Rainbow Warriors expect to lose any scholarships, new coach Eran Ganot needs to be aware of what he has to work with soon, if not already.
Matlin was busy in an unofficial capacity since getting the job more than a month ago and technically starting it now. For all intents and purposes, Ganot is his hire, and he successfully re-recruited women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman.
"If you hire a coach who gets other opportunities, it’s probably a very good hire," Matlin said, in a nod to his friend and former UH AD Jim Donovan, who brought Beeman on board. "And I’m looking forward to working with her."
Matlin’s schedule for his first day includes signing a finalized copy of his work agreement and a heavy load of meetings, including with compliance director Amanda Paterson and some with student-athletes. He said his goal is to eventually meet with two athletes from each of the school’s teams.
"I want to do that as soon as possible," he said. "They’re the reason we’re here."
It’s a good bet Matlin also understands they’re the reason UH needs a different keynote speaker for its men’s basketball banquet, and it’s not just a political correctness issue.
Reach Star-Advertiser sports columnist Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com, his "Quick Reads" blog at staradvertiser.com and twitter.com/davereardon.
