HONOLULU -- The Honolulu Police Department is looking into allegations of point shaving by a member or members of the Unversity of Hawaii Warriors football program, sources said.
Point shaving happens when one or more members of a sports team prevent a team from covering a published point spread, often purposely failing to score as many points as the team was expected to make. Gamblers who know the information in advance can win extra money by betting on the team that was not expected to do as well but does better as a result of point shaving.
The HPD case is in its initial phases, a source familiar with the probe said. The source asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the investigation.
UH spokeswoman Lynne Waters released a statement Tuesday that said:
"On November 3, 2011, the UH Manoa Office of Admissions received an anonymous letter alleging 'point shaving' by unnamed football players of UH football games."
"Recognizing the seriousness of these allegations, UH leadership acted promptly and responsibly by immediately alerting the Honolulu Police Department and providing the letter to them."
"Board of Regents Chair Eric Martinson and President MRC Greenwood met personally with Chief Louis Kealoha to offer UH’s full cooperation with HPD’s inquiry."
"UH has alerted the NCAA about the anonymous letter and its contents and, in discussions with them, has been informed that it is 'doing exactly what you need to be doing' in this situation," Waters said.
"We respect the process of the police investigation, therefore UH will not comment further at this point," said Waters in a written statement.
Point shaving happens when one or more members of a sports team prevent a team from covering a published point spread, often purposely failing to score as many points as the team was expected to make. Gamblers who know the information in advance can win extra money by betting on the team that was not expected to do as well but does better as a result of point shaving.
The HPD case is in its initial phases, a source familiar with the probe said. The source asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the investigation.
UH spokeswoman Lynne Waters released a statement Tuesday that said:
"On November 3, 2011, the UH Manoa Office of Admissions received an anonymous letter alleging 'point shaving' by unnamed football players of UH football games."
"Recognizing the seriousness of these allegations, UH leadership acted promptly and responsibly by immediately alerting the Honolulu Police Department and providing the letter to them."
"Board of Regents Chair Eric Martinson and President MRC Greenwood met personally with Chief Louis Kealoha to offer UH’s full cooperation with HPD’s inquiry."
"UH has alerted the NCAA about the anonymous letter and its contents and, in discussions with them, has been informed that it is 'doing exactly what you need to be doing' in this situation," Waters said.
"We respect the process of the police investigation, therefore UH will not comment further at this point," said Waters in a written statement.
