Huskies’ Hobert Is Ruled Ineligible in Loans Case

University of Washington quarterback Billy Joe Hobert, who last week acknowledged receiving $50,000 in loans from an Idaho man, Tuesday was declared ineligible by the school.

Athletic Director Barbara Hedges, announcing the decision at a news conference in Seattle, said that Hobert, a junior, is ineligible for an indefinite period. She said the school next must decide whether to ask the NCAA to restore Hobert’s eligibility.

Tuesday’s announcement was based on the findings of an investigation conducted by school officials and David Price, associate commissioner of the Pacific 10 Conference. The inquiry began after the Seattle Times revealed details of the loan last Thursday.

The money was provided to Hobert by Charles M. Rice, a nuclear engineer from Idaho Falls, Ida., reportedly through the arrangements of Rudy Finne, a Seattle commercial fisherman and golfing partner of Hobert’s. Rice, who apparently has no affiliation with the school, is Finne’s father-in-law.

As a sophomore last season, Hobert led the Huskies to a 12-0 record and a share of the national championship. He played in Washington’s first eight games this season--five as the starter and three as a backup to senior Mark Brunell--before being held out of the Huskies’ loss to Arizona last Saturday because of the disclosure of the loan.

Hobert reportedly received the loan in three installments, starting with a payment of $25,000 last April. He has said that he went through the $50,000 in only three months, spending the money on cars, guns, stereo equipment, golf clubs and entertainment.

“People must have thought I was the richest guy in town,” he said of his spending spree, “until I stopped showing up at places (where) I spent the money.”

At the time he obtained the loan, Hobert was separated from his wife, Heather. The couple has since reconciled.

In a statement Tuesday, the university said the loan violated NCAA rules because it included payback based on Hobert’s future earnings as a professional football player, was not provided by an established family friend and was based in part on Hobert’s potential as a pro football player.

Hedges said in the statement that she does not believe Washington should be required to forfeit games in which Hobert played--a subject still to be considered by the Pac-10.

The conference announced Tuesday that the findings from the joint investigation by Price and the university will be presented Thursday in Los Angeles to a three-member committee set up to review the matter and make a recommendation on possible forfeitures to the Pac-10 Council.

Members of the review committee are Doug Hobbs, faculty athletic representative at UCLA; Ted Leland, Stanford athletic director, and Patricia Drapela, senior woman athletic administrator at Oregon State. The committee members were appointed by Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen.

The Pac-10 Council, which includes faculty representatives, athletic directors and senior woman athletic administrators from all 10 conference schools, is scheduled to review the committee’s recommendation Nov. 15. The council’s decision is subject to final review by the chief executive officers of the conference’s schools.

The forfeiture aspect of the matter might hinge on how much Washington athletic department personnel or school representatives knew, or should have known, about the loan, according to college athletic officials.

In the university’s statement, Hedges said that athletic department staff members acted properly in dealing with Hobert, informing him last spring of NCAA policy regarding loans to athletes.

“This is a very complicated story and a sad day for the football program and Billy Joe Hobert,” Hedges said in the statement. “Billy is a young man with good intentions who never meant to jeopardize himself or his teammates.”

Speaking at the school’s news conference, Hobert said: “When I took out the loan, it was with the hope that I could straighten out my life. I take full responsibility for my actions.”

Washington Coach Don James said he has recommended to Hobert that he stay in school and try to rejoin the team next season.

Should the university appeal to the NCAA to restore Hobert’s eligibility, the matter would first be considered by the NCAA eligibility staff. Any ruling restoring his eligibility would include a provision that he repay the loan in full before playing again, said Janet Justus, NCAA director of eligibility.