Even for someone regularly briefed on the progress of the NCAA’s eight-month investigation, Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman said he was taken aback by the seven violations contained in the "notice of allegations" against the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team.
"We knew, more or less, what was going on (with the investigation), but it was still a little bit striking to see it all written down there because it is very important for us to keep high standards," Bley-Vroman said. "It was very disturbing to see the extent of the allegations."
In the 42-page notice, UH was charged with three Level I violations, the most serious of the four-tiered NCAA system, and four from Level II. They included charges of impermissible tryouts, improper benefits, dishonest conduct and using operations staff as coaches to circumvent the limit on the number of coaches, all occurring "between the 2010-11 and 2014-15 academic years."
In the notice, the NCAA cited evidence obtained in interviews with current and former players, staffers and other coaches as well as email and cellphone records.
Former head coach Gib Arnold and ex-assistant Brandyn Akana were repeatedly tied to allegations. Benjy Taylor, the current coach, was not cited by the NCAA for any violations.
Arnold, who was on the mainland, declined immediate comment but said in a text message he may respond at a future date. Akana did not answer requests for comment.
Both were dismissed by UH on Oct. 28 "without cause."
UH has 90 days from receipt of the allegations in which to contest or accept the charges, and the NCAA then has 60 days to respond. After that, the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions may mete out penalties.
"I think the report pretty much speaks for itself," Bley-Vroman said. "They’ve been very clear, very detailed, so I don’t think I have much more to add."
The chancellor declined to say if UH will contest any of the charges or self-impose penalties. "We have to study (the notice) and see where we go from here."
UH could face a postseason ban, loss of scholarships and/or practice time and other sanctions.
Individuals could face suspensions or multiyear "show cause" orders in which any NCAA member that seeks to employ them would have to demonstrate a reason for their clearance.
In the allegations, Arnold was charged with "obstructing an investigation or attempting to conceal the violations." In addition, the NCAA claimed "Arnold knowingly influenced the then-directors of operations to conceal their participation in coaching, instructional and/or recruiting activities from the media and the institution in order to conceal the violations.
"Arnold knowingly influenced then men’s basketball staff members to fabricate a story to report to the institution that the on-campus evaluation conducted between April 19 and 20, 2013, was neither arranged nor observed by the men’s basketball staff," according to the document.
Lastly, the NCAA claimed, "Arnold knowingly influenced at least four then-men’s basketball student-athletes to refrain from reporting" issues.
After viewing the allegations, in which he was one of two operations directors cited as impermissibly doubling as an on-court coach or recruiter, former UH assistant Scott Fisher told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, "I was very disappointed to see my name in a document like that.
"I’ve only ever done my job the right way. I’ve only ever been a team guy. My entire life, that’s all I’ve been — is part of a team. And I’ve always backed the leader of that team. Always backed the head coach, when I was a player, or as an assistant. That’s what the job is. It’s doing what you’re told, being loyal and everything else."
The notice of allegations said, "Fisher stated that Arnold instructed him and (Kerry) Rupp to cease coaching during practice if media were present, as well as to refrain from reporting their participation in these activities to the compliance office, in order to conceal the violations."
Fisher, now head coach at Ohlone (Calif.) College, said: "It’s difficult to see, to be a part, in any respect, (of) that document. It feels dirty having been a part of it. But I did not lie, I do not lie. I try to live the right way. And that’s something that the student-athletes that I’ve been involved with, I know they know that about me. The ones I’m involved with right now at my present job, I know that’s what they know about me. And I can’t respond to any of the questions that were asked of me in the NCAA investigation with anything but honesty."
The NCAA also cited Akana for having "knowingly provided a then men’s basketball student-athlete with an Apple iPad."
A source said the recipient of the iPad was all-conference forward Isaac Fotu. Fotu was suspended indefinitely by the school in October and subsequently left to turn pro.
In addition, the NCAA claimed "Akana knowingly provided the institution and NCAA enforcement staff with false or misleading information when he denied providing the then student-athlete with an iPad despite the factual evidence."
UH first appeared on the NCAA enforcement staff’s radar when the school self-reported a possible rules violation in January 2014 involving alteration of a certified document. The allegations said, "Akana knowingly altered the form … by increasing the amount of family financial support … and submitting it to the institution in order to facilitate admission to the institution."
According to the NCAA report, Akana met with athletic director Ben Jay and human resources Director Tammy Kuniyoshi on Jan. 21, 2014, "during which time Akana admitted to ‘forging’ (the) supplemental form by writing the number ‘4′ in front of the number ‘1′ to show the player would receive $41,000 of yearly financial support from his family rather than $1,000."
The only incoming player to the program at the time was forward Stefan Jankovic, who now plays for the team.
In one example involving allegations that a player — previously reported to be former center Davis Rozitis — used a booster’s 2004 Porsche Cayenne, the report said, "Arnold instructed the men’s basketball team not to discuss the issue with anyone because it was something the men’s basketball coaches ‘could lose their jobs over.’"
The report said Arnold claimed he addressed the team and warned them against accepting such benefits.
The Star-Advertiser’s Dave Reardon contributed to this report.
Notice of Allegations by NCAA
Level I Violations:
1. Assistant coach Brandyn Akana “acted contrary to the NCAA principles of ethical conduct” on four occasions between December 2012 and Aug. 7, 2014. He provided a player an iPad valued at $400; altered a document used for admissions purposes for another player; and “knowingly provided false and misleading information” about the iPad.
2. Head coach Gib Arnold “acted contrary to the NCAA principles of ethical conduct” on multiple occasions between the fall of 2010 and the summer of 2013. He “knowingly influenced others to provide the (NCAA) with false or misleading information, or to conceal information” regarding knowledge or involvement of NCAA violations. Arnold intentionally committed or failed to report NCAA violations and ultimately “failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance.”
3. Arnold “acted contrary to the NCAA principles of ethical conduct” between Oct. 17 and Dec. 10, 2014, when he “knowingly provided false or misleading information to the … NCAA enforcement staff” regarding knowledge or involvement of Level II violations 1 and 2, listed below. Arnold was cited for “showing reckless indifference to the NCAA constitution and bylaws.”
Level II Violations:
1. At Arnold’s instruction, directors of operations Scott Fisher and Kerry Rupp engaged in on-court coaching and opponent scouting during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. In addition, Fisher made recruiting phone calls at Arnold’s behest.
2. Arnold conducted impermissible tryouts of five recruits during paid official visits in 2011, and an impermissible on-campus evaluation of another prospect in 2012.
3. A basketball student-athlete was provided complimentary use of a 2004 Porsche Cayenne from a booster for approximately two days. The impermissible benefit was valued at $560. Arnold knew of the matter but did not report it to UH administration.
4. Three UH recruits and one UH player had access to the Leahi Room at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Hotel (a concierge lounge not generally available to all hotel guests) in 2013, arranged by Arnold and Akana. The impermissible benefits were valued at $422.
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