House bill targets NCAA for lagging on UH men’s basketball case

A national organization that investigates the University of Hawaii athletic program would be subject to a $10,000 fine if it takes more than a year to conclude the process after notifying the school of the allegations, according to a bill in the legislature.

House Bill 1424 does not specifically name the NCAA, but its author, House Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say, said it was prompted by the organization’s soon-to-be three-year-old case surrounding the UH men’s basketball team.

The NCAA began investigating UH in March 2014, and the case has yet to be concluded while the Rainbow Warriors’ postseason eligibility and scholarship limits are in limbo.

“Why does this take so long? That’s the whole intent,” said Say (D, St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Kaimuki).

The NCAA declined comment on the bill. UH has not said whether it will offer testimony at Tuesday’s hearing.

Say’s bill parallels a measure introduced last month in the Mississippi House of Representatives, the NCAA F.A.C.T. (fair, accurate, collaborative and timely) Investigation Act. That bill would have forced the NCAA to complete its investigation and imposition of penalties within nine months of a school’s response to the letter of inquiry.

Ole Miss’ football program has been under NCAA investigation for four years and Rep. Trey Lamar (R) told the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger, “So many times (the way) the cloud of uncertainty with these investigations drag on and drag on is unnecessarily more harming than the infractions themselves.”

Say’s bill also provides for an appeal of sanctions to circuit court by an athlete, coach or school.

Say said UH did not request introduction of the bill. “I want to learn more about the NCAA, the (organization) that does the oversight and policing of (college) sports around the country,” he said.