Ben Jay leaves hospital
University of Hawaii athletic director Ben Jay was released from Straub this evening (Tuesday). He was taken to the emergency room there Monday night after he was hit from behind while trying to break up a post-game fight following the UH women’s basketball game against West Virginia on Sunday.
“I just got released from the hospital,” he said in a text message. “At Longs right now, Ling (his wife) is getting my pain meds filled. Will stay home the rest of the week.”
Jay said he still has pain from three fractured lumbars. He was being kept at the hospital for observation of his kidney function, he said.
Jay said he thanks everyone for their well wishes. “It was a very nice feeling,” he said.
Officials are still investigating the fight, which witnesses said was spurred by a UH fan and a West Virginia assistant coach exchanging insults and challenges.
Dave Reardon:
There must be dozens of eye witnesses to the fighting. From OC 16 far off video, you can see some guy or guys, just raring back to throw blows. Man, alive, that Ben Jay being so injured to seek hospital care, something more serious, than shake hands with WV, and its fans and AD. We shall see what happens. Boy, at a women’s BB game, however, whomever involved in fighting, very dangerous, and somebody got hurt, the AD. Crazy!
Yes … this is obviously not a good thing. Especially considering lots of kids go to those Wahine basketball games … actually, to all UH arena events.
During the broadcast saw BB player Kuahu hop over the chairs and rushed to the fight. Wonder why?
It’s shocking to me that someone can come into the Stan Sheriff Center, put our AD in the hospital with broken bones and internal injuries, and then just walk out like nothing happened. Where was arena security? Where was the police? Who is running the show at UH? Please I beg you don’t tell me we have hundreds and hundreds of thousands for Greenwood, Apple, Donovan, an invisible football OC yet we can’t afford a cop or security behind the opponent bench at UH games? This is a joke, but not funny when Ben Jay could have been killed out there.
Dont get addicted to the pain killers Ben, and drink lots of water, the pain medicine causes major constipation, so you will need to take stool softeners as well. Been there done that.
This was an extremely unfortunate incident that could have turned out even worse not only for Mr. Jay, but for others as well. Fortunately, this was an isolated incident. However, UH should reconsider the level of Security Personnel assigned to Athletic Events in general, since, I remember times at Aloha Stadium where fights occured a few years ago.
Best wishes for a rapid recover to Mr. Jay.
Mahalo.
Rich Sheriff may be Stan’s son but he is a major screw up. Over priced men’s volleyball, no security at women’s basketball, and Stevie Wonder. No experience running an arena, but the AD’s son, loser.
Dave:
With the report that WV assistant coach was reprimanded for his conduct/behavior against fan. And the fact that, we didn’t know this, that Rich Sheriff was also hurt, boy, UH has to do it’s work on witnesses, injury extent, etc. This does not seem like end of story. I am sure, Ben Jay, and Rich, will make sure security there behind both benches, however, it is a sad national story, and you are right, the kids, older ones, there, dangerous, and for Jay’s kids, traumatic to see dad bent in pain, it was a very bad situation for sure. Hope this gets sorted out soon.
Nanakuli:
You have no idea what you are talking about. Rich Sheriff does not control the price of Men’s Volleyball. The Athletic Department Budget controls alot of what happens in the Arena.
You say he has no experience in running the Arena, he has been running it and doing an outstanding job since the very beginning. He puts in so many hours, he barely has time to sleep. He has been doing this for 19 years. That sound like a lot of experience to me!
From the SA Online Front Page:
The Big 12 Conference has publicly reprimanded a West Virginia women’s basketball coach for his part in the brawl that took place at Sunday’s Bank of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.
UH athletic director Ben Jay and arena manager Rich Sheriff suffered injuries in the post-game melee.
WVA assistant Lester Rowe’s actions were judged in violation of the Big 12 Conference’s Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct rules, the conference said on its website today.
“Coach Rowe violated Conference rules that prohibit coaches, student-athletes, athletic department staff and university personnel from committing abusive acts toward an opponent’s fans,” said Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby in a statement. “Coaches have the responsibility to refrain from behavior that incites negative fan conduct.”
The conference said, “Coach Rowe is also put on notice that future incidents may result in a more serious penalty.”
Jay was hospitalized Monday for fractured vertebrae and blood around his kidneys. Sheriff suffered several lacerations.