UH appeals NCAA ruling on men’s basketball program

From UH News, January 6, 2016 

The University of Hawaiʻi filed an appeal with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) today on its decision to ban the UH men’s basketball program from postseason play in the 2016–2017 season. The university strongly believes that the ban unfairly penalizes student-athletes for the misdeeds of individuals no longer with the program and is requesting that the NCAA reconsider the penalty.

“The university has readily accepted the majority of the penalties handed down by the NCAA,” said UH Athletic Director David Matlin. “We acknowledge that mistakes were made and offer no excuses, but we must support our student-athletes who had absolutely nothing to do with this unfortunate situation. They should not be punished for the mistakes of others.”

The Big West Conference Commissioner Dennis Farrell has stated that he is in full support of the appeal.

Historically, the NCAA has banned schools from postseason play when it was determined that there was a “Lack of Institutional Control” or “Failure to Monitor” by an institution. The NCAA enforcement staff did not charge UH with either violation and the Committee on Infractions recognized, in its findings, noting the university’s “prompt acknowledgment and acceptance of responsibility and imposition of meaningful corrective measures and/or penalties.”

According to the appeal process, UH now has 30 days to state its case and submit relevant documents and the NCAA Committee on Infractions will then have 30 days to respond. A final decision is expected by early summer 2016.

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SA: UH will appeal postseason ban for basketball team