Posted on: Friday, September 6, 2002

Brain surgery for UH's Wallace

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i basketball coach Riley Wallace is hospitalized in Las Vegas with a hematoma between his brain and his skull, his wife, Joan Wallace, told The Advertiser last night.

Wallace is scheduled to undergo surgery today.

The hematoma, a swelling that contains blood, is not considered to be life-threatening, Joan Wallace said.

She said he is alert and in stable condition at University Medical Center.

Wallace had complained of severe headaches for the past three weeks, she said.

He competed in a charity golf tournament in Los Angeles Tuesday, then drove with friends that night to Las Vegas for a meeting with hotel mogul Bill Boyd, a UH booster. Boyd is considering sponsoring several UH events.

Wallace was scheduled to travel on Boyd's private jet to Utah today to attend the UH football team's nationally televised game against Brigham Young.

But Joan Wallace said her husband woke up yesterday morning complaining of a severe headache. She said he felt dizzy, and had difficulty standing.

He was taken to the medical center, where he underwent several medical tests. Joan Wallace said her husband was diagnosed with a hemotoma that was putting pressure on his brain.

She said a neurosurgeon will remove a blood-soaked, two-inch piece of tissue today.

She said he is expected to remain in the hospital until at least Monday.

"He's doing OK," Joan Wallace said.

She said doctors suspect that the blood bruise was caused by bump.