UH’s Ben Jay hospitalized with injuries from post-game fight
University of Hawaii athletic director Ben Jay has been hospitalized since Monday night for injuries sustained when he attempted to break up a fight following Sunday’s women’s basketball game.
Jay said Tuesday he was admitted to Straub Clinic & Hospital where he underwent a CT-scan that disclosed “transverse (vertebrae) fractures” and “some blood around my kidneys.”
Jay was eventually released Tuesday night.
“I guess I took a little shot,” Jay said of trying break up the melee. “I got hit from behind in the whole skirmish. I was trying to hold back a West Virginia fan and something hit me from behind.”
A UH spokesman said video footage showed Jay being pushed backward.
Jay received medical attention on the court at the Stan Sheriff Center, where he said he experienced “back spasms.”
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UH and West Virginia officials said they are investigating the incident that reportedly resulted when some spectators argued with staff of the West Virginia team during the post-game awards ceremony at the Bank of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Classic.
UH lost to the Mountaineers, 59-56.
UH said Jay will continue to work from home and will not accompany the football team on its final road trip to Wyoming for Saturday’s game.