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The issue of BYU opposite hitter Joe Hillman’s status seemed to be moot when the NCAA declared him eligible to play for the remainder of the season on April 16.

Yet, for the second time in two weeks, a member of the UCLA men’s volleyball coaching staff has cast doubt on the fairness of that decision.

This time it was assistant coach Brian Rofer, who released a statement Wednesday questioning the validity of an obscure NCAA rule that allowed Hillman to compete.

“To actually find and use an interpretation from an unrelated case to bend and manipulate the eligibility rule is a violation of fair play and sportsmanship,” said Rofer, whose comments come on the eve of UCLA’s MPSF semifinal match with Long Beach State in Provo, Utah – home of BYU.

The rule Rofer was referring to states that an athlete enrolled full time at an institution that does not sponsor a varsity program can compete yearly on an organized team without being charged with a year of competition.

Based on that rule, BYU, in conjunction with the NCAA, found that Hillman, who was over the age of 21 when he enrolled full time at Utah Valley State College in 2000, 2001 and 2002, would be charged with only one year of eligibility because UVSC did not sponsor a varsity volleyball program.

Under those guidelines, Hillman had two years of eligibility remaining when he enrolled at BYU in 2003 because he had already competed in three of the five years allotted to him after the age of 21.

Although Rofer did apologize for any perceived insensitive remarks he has made, he did not back down from his stance on the issue.

“With two years left on his five-year clock and ample eligibility left, the NCAA found no violation,” Rofer said. “Confusing? Yes. Fair? Who knows? Still, most NCAA men’s volleyball coaches would have considered Hillman to have used his eligibility.”

BYU has defended its actions, saying that they have done everything within the rules.

“It’s a non-issue,” BYU spokesman Jeff Reynolds said after UCLA coach Al Scates first questioned the NCAA’s decision earlier this month.

Rofer, who had said that this sort of conduct was disappointing “especially for a religious school,” was contrite about that particular statement.

“I do apologize,” he said. “It was wrong for me to insinuate that a religious school should be held to any higher standard than any other institution.”

RELATED STORY: [Online]: Assistant men’s volleyball coach clarifies, expands upon previous remarks

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