One hastily inserted handwritten figure — a number "4" said to be little bigger than a type-written stroke — was intended to favorably alter a recruit’s chances to be admitted to the University of Hawaii to play basketball last year.

Instead, by its inclusion on a certified form required for international students, it has, in the past 12 months, altered the men’s basketball program and shaken the athletic program, campus and community.

"It’s amazing the domino effect that one altered document has had on the lives of many," said Chris McMillian, former operations director for the men’s basketball team.

His is one of those lives and McMillian ponders the dizzying turn of events these days from distant Twin Falls, Idaho, where he is an assistant coach at the College of Southern Idaho, a community college.

"Jobs have been lost, trust and loyalty have been broken and one of the greatest players to ever put on a UH jersey (Isaac Fotu) gave up his final two years of eligibility to turn pro because he was ruled ineligible (indefinitely)," McMillian said.

Seven coaches or staffers — including head coach Gib Arnold — and two players have already come or gone. More are likely to be on the move at year’s end — and the UH athletic department has yet to stop spinning. McMillian and current head coach Benjy Taylor were not cited for violations.

Last week the NCAA leveled seven charges against UH in its long-awaited Notice of Allegations, including three from the most severe of four categories, Level I. Four more were assessed as Level II.

Arnold, assistant Brandyn Akana and Fotu, whose name was redacted by UH, were cited.

The same day, according to documents, UH hired Honolulu attorney William McCorriston and his firm, McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP, for "up to $100,000" as outside counsel.

Four days later in a press release, Arnold, who has hired Honolulu attorney James Bickerton, contended he is owed $1.4 million for his Oct. 28 termination. A grievance on Arnold’s behalf was filed the same day with the school by his union, the Hawaii Government Employees Association, UH said.

"We have two bulldogs — McCorriston and Bickerton — in it now," said a local attorney familiar with the styles of both.

Late this spring or early summer the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions is expected to rule on institutional and individual penalties in the case.

"We haven’t seen the end of this by any means," cautioned a UH official briefed on the situation but not permitted to speak on behalf of the university on pending matters.

missing from bench

A year ago this weekend the unexplained and prolonged absence of Akana from his familiar place on the UH bench had become a matter of growing speculation.

A four-year assistant, Akana had missed four UH games due to what the school said was "a personnel matter" and questions had begun to swirl.

The 42-page NCAA Notice of Allegations last week said Akana — who would later be fired along with Arnold — was suspended for 30 days "due to altering" the supplemental form on Jan. 10.

Akana, who returned for a time after filing a grievance, would eventually miss 12 of the team’s final 14 games and the official team picture session.

The NCAA notice said athletic director Ben Jay, Akana and Tammy Kuniyoshi, director of human resources, "met on Jan. 21, 2014, during which time Akana admitted to ‘forging’" the supplemental form, "by writing the number ‘4′ in front of the number ‘1′ to show (the recruit) would receive $41,000 of yearly financial support from his family rather than $1,000."

Though the report redacts the name of the recruit, the only player admitted at the time was Stefan Jankovic, a Canadian national.

Additionally, the NCAA report notes, "Akana admitted to writing the number ‘4’…to ‘buy more time’ " for the recruit to submit the necessary paperwork.

The NCAA report said the supplemental form, which coaches had been informed earlier would be due Jan. 3, was submitted four times, the first three in amounts that would not satisfy the requirement to show financial support sufficient to pay the full cost of attendance.

The fourth time, the report said, the form was faxed from a hotel in California, where the team was on the road.

Upon its receipt, a staffer quickly noticed the alteration and called it to the attention of compliance officials, who notified the NCAA on Jan. 29 of the alteration.

The self-report of possible infractions by institutions is required under NCAA rules. And the alteration was at least the 10th one involving men’s basketball in a two-year period, according to information obtained by the Star-Advertiser under the state’s open records law.

That apparently set off alarm bells with the enforcement staff at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, and a month later, investigator Mike Sheridan was preparing to make the first of multiple visits to UH.

By the time NCAA staff had substantially completed its investigation eight months later, more than 25 current and former players, current and past coaches and administrators and staff had been interviewed — some, including Arnold, Akana and Fotu, several times.

In the process, the investigation expanded beyond the tampered form to include allegations of impermissible benefits for players, the use of operations personnel as unpermitted extra coaches, illegal tryouts and unethical conduct.

it was more than nothing

McMillian said, "I am looking forward to seeing who the new men’s basketball coach will be. The University of Hawaii is without a doubt one of the best jobs on the West Coast and the absolute best job in the Big West.

"The University of Hawaii deserves conference championships and NCAA appearances and, with the right leader in place, it can be done. Riley Wallace and his staff have proven that it can be done."

McMillian added, "I wish the absolute best for the UH as a whole. The love and support from that fan base is like nothing I have ever seen before."

Last February, amid the early questions, Arnold described the situation surrounding Akana as "absolutely nothing."

A year later the one thing that the disparate parties can agree upon is that it is definitely not "absolutely nothing."