Reunion
It will be a reunion of sorts when Louisiana Tech and UH meet Saturday. LaTech coach Sonny Dykes and UH’s Greg McMackin were on the same Texas Tech coaching staff for three years through 2003, with Dykes coaching the receivers and McMackin as defensive coordinator.
McMackin said it was fun because Mike Leach, then Texas Tech’s head coach, allowed full-speed drills between the offense and defense.
“I’m anxious to see Greg,” Dykes said. “I think a lot of him. He’s a great guy.”
UH defensive coordinator Dave Aranda also was part of that Tech staff, as a graduate assistant.
“Dave is a real sharp guy,” Dykes said. “He’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve been around. He has a great work ethic.”
* * * * *
My two cents:
They say it’s easier to get a job when you have a job. I think UH will have more options if it stays put in the WAC in football while seeing how expansion works out. Independence will always be an option. Why rush? And all of that talk of how UH, as an independent, could fill its schedule with road games against SEC and Big Ten schools? It still could do that, although judging from recent news conferences, it doesn’t seem like there’s a willingness for the Warriors to travel more than four time zones for games. There are a few advantages to remaining in the WAC. For one, UH doesn’t have to pay travel subsidies, something that surely will be required if many of its sports, say, join the Big West. And with all of the talk of finding the next Boise State, why can’t that school be UH?
Here are the negatives about going independent:
• Who are you going to schedule in October and November? I know everyone can come up with a wish list, but the reality is the five WAC schools UH ditches won’t want to play. I mean, I think BYU already has drained that sucker pool. And Fresno State, Boise State and Nevada won’t want to play.
• Where are you getting the referees? I think the last thing potential opponents want to hear from UH is: “Don’t worry, we’ll provide the referees.”
• Travel subsidies. If UH can afford them, then I think the students might want to ask: Why did you ask for a student fee?
• If you get a national TV deal, how do you make up the money lost from the demise of pay-per-view? And, of course, that also means that UH’s non-revenue sports will never be telecast locally. If UH can’t sell tickets to an event, how is a TV station expected to sell ads?
So, adding two more cents, here’s the solution:
• Stay in the WAC in football and go elsewhere in other sports. Of course, that will tick off the WAC.
• Have UH women’s volleyball go independent. I’m sure the same people who think UH won’t have trouble filling an independent football schedule must think that Wahine volleyball will have an easier time.
OK, my time’s up.
* * * * *
Sailor Blue is the winner of the UH hat. Thanks again to Dr. Irwin Sewake for the donation.
Morning Gang!
Uh hello? *crickets chirping*
*crickets stop chirping*
Three?
Good Morning Shoko!
GO WARRIORS!!!
LASH LA TECH!!!
Garret,
Thanks for the feedback on Mack Brown and the Texas program.
The reason I was curious is because we seem to be harsh when our team doesn’t produce the results we all want. But even programs like Texas with all the 4 & 5 star athletes will occasionally come up short.
Like everyone else, I sometimes question the decision making by our coaches, but we have to be realistic with our expectations and continue to support the program.
Don’t forget to vote.
http://promotions.mardenkane.com/cbs/marchingbandmania/index.cfm
oldie,
But a “bad” year for Texas is going 10-3 and playing in a bowl game that pays 4x what the Hawaii Bowl pays. UH fans would be happy with winning 10 games every year!
Morning DPK.
Ditto on the Warriors. Beat LATech.
Feature article on Sol “Aluminum”.
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Soloman+Aluminum+shines+Lions+defence/3600196/story.html
The MWC’s Commissioner admitted that they invited Fresno State and Nevada in response for the WAC trying to take BYU. Note that the MWC is talking about how there is only room for the Pac-10 and one other D-IA conference…so, they want the WAC to go away. The MWC also openly discussed how they have been talking about having a playoff game with C-USA with the winner getting an automatic BCS bowl spot.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/09/30/1361109/part-of-every-day-is-bcs.html
Yesterday I said UH coaches should make it know what their position is on going indy…… Thank you Ferd for your article this morning .
top something.
Good morning, gang!
Congrats, Sailor Blue!
Is there practice this morning?
Top Twenty!
GO WARRIORS!
This is an interesting way to make money–Nebraska and other schools are auctioning game-worn jerseys. Nebraska is starting the bidding on every jersey at $250 and at least one jersey is already over $1,000. They could make $200k or more from this auction.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39419901
If Nebraska can auction game-worn jerseys, so can UH. UH could make a good amount of money from this. I wonder how much a game-worn Colt Brennan jersey would have raised for UH if UH’s old AD had done this?
Garret #15,
Are the jerseys washed before auction, or is the sweat extra?
Garret your right about what went on but I guess I just can’t stand the MWC because of how it all started, and I still think their arrogant.
#17 — LOL, shoko!
Interesting story in the Sacramento Bee about the Pistol and the teams that are using it this season. I recall Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow taking a visit to Nevada and consult with Chris Ault about his Pistol Offense. Obviously it proved beneficial as they beat Texas this past weekend. Sorry for bringing up the past, Garret. 😉
Garret,
Maybe one day Hawaii can consistently get to what Texas considers a bad year, even if it’s against lesser teams. Until then, we just have to support the program, for the players sake.
Pomai,
But wasn’t it UH that decided to stop paying travel subsidies that was a factor in the teams leaving for the MWC? And it was UH that drove SMU and others away from the WAC because UH refused to sign a loyalty pledge and openly lobbied to join the MWC?
We cannot blame the MWC for the failures of Karl Benson.
We cannot blame Karl Benson for all of the teams leaving the WAC because DoBelle is the one that drove a bunch of schools away with his actions.
oldie,
I agree that we need to support the program. I’m a Na Koa member and I put aside a significant amount of stock in my company for UH. I would be at every game (and every tailgate–I can’t believe all the pan lau lau I’m missing!) if I lived in Hawaii.
Frankly, I don’t think that the losses by themselves are a reason for some of the complaints. It is the 12 men on the field problems, confusion in calling the plays in when UH is on D, clock management, 1pt/2pt confusion, and red zone problems that worry many people. These problems have to be addressed before UH faces the hard part of the WAC schedule or it will cost the team some wins.
Hawaii should go independent in football. The WAC just isn’t a good or natural fit for Hawaii. Do we really want to watch UH play Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State etc every year? Even if UH stays for now, it is only a matter of time before the conference breaks up. Louisiana Tech, for example, would prefer to be in another conference playing teams in its area. I would much rather watch Hawaii play the other independents (Navy, Army, Notre Dame, and BYU) every year if deals could be worked out. Also, the Big West is a much better fit for other UH sports, especially women’s volleyball and men/women’s basketball. Playing Big West teams gives UH the opportunity to strengthen its fan base in California and improve recruiting in all sports in the Golden State.
Wow, Montana makes more in ticket sales than Washington State and almost makes as much as BSU! Montana makes $72k in TV and the WAC might be at around $200k per year after ESPN renegotiates…I can see why they are studying whether or not it makes financial sense for them to go to D-IA.
http://www.montanakaimin.com/sports/wac-wants-montana-1.1657662
Garret:
I think you need to check your dates as to when the WAC dissolved and when Dobelle was UH president.
Here’s the link: http://www.hawaii.edu/about/pastpresidents.html
Albert J. Simone
1984–1992
BA 1957, Tufts; PhD 1962, MIT
Kenneth P. Mortimer
1993–2001
AB 1960, MBA 1962, Pennsylvania; PhD 1969, UC Berkeley
Evan S. Dobelle
2001–2004
BA 1983, MEd 1970, EdD 1987, Massachusetts-Amherst; MPA 1984, Harvard
David McClain
2004–2009
BA 1968, Kansas; PhD 1974, MIT
#23 Garret, I think you hit the nail on the head. All those problems are making watching the games difficult at times. We still support the team though but yes, we would like the Warriors to clean up their act.
Well, if and when Montana makes the move, lets see if they still fill the stadium when they realize they’re not the big dogs of the conference and have a losing record for the first few years. Every school has their share of fair-weather fans and the Grizz’ are no exception, in my opinion. 🙂
Pride. I just realized that we have the same score prediction, but since you did yours firster (public school) you can have whatever prize is given. I just do this for the fun of it. Last week I predicted a low score that had us barely winning. I did this before ST announced he had a prize to give away. I did this more for motivational purposes, thinking that some of the players read this blog. I guess it worked (yea,right). Anyway, I know you and I and most, if not all, of the Tsaikos just want the Warriors to win. Good luck with your score (LOL).
Garret,
It’s interesting to see that Thompson has chosen to admit the true reason for the Fresno State and Nevada invitations to the MWC. Maybe he’s thinking it’s better to come clean now in a newspaper interview than later when he’s on the witness stand in front of a judge, should the WAC pursue some kind of legal action against the defector schools.
Regarding Montana, it seems from a number of O’Day’s quotes over the past few months that he’s really concerned about the financial ceiling imposed by being at the FCS level. Montana is having trouble sustaining its existing athletic program despite having maxed out ticket and TV revenues. Although a move to FBS would increase expenses, if Montana were successful in the WAC they could charge more for tickets, earn bowl revenue, and increase their TV money. It may be a case of grow or die.
Pomai,
34- Warriors
27- Chihuahuas
Capitol at #26,
Garret is talking about the 2002-2003 events when Benson was trying to bring in U of Houston and one or two others. All that was required was an affirmation of loyalty, which all schools except 3 had already agreed to. And the other two would have signed on if Dobelle did. Dobelle refused, made PUBLIC statements about wanting to get into the MWC, Benson lost his deal and the 4 teams left for the CUSA.
Gratz, Sailor Blue!
We saw the consistency and intensity we’re capable of last week. Doesn’t matter who we are up against, we should always be giving that kind of effort on both sides of the ball each and every week. We gotta bring it this weekend, because we know LaTech will. That link that c_c posted on yesterday’s blog shows a hard hitting LaTech team. Why’d they remind us of that cheap shot they made against us at the end of that compilation? It also looked like a weak (Colorado-esque) Southern Miss team. So, I expect LaTech to come out mad that they let one get away like we did up in Colorado.
WassupDoc,
Here is an article by Ferd in 2003 that shows how UH didn’t pledge loyalty to the WAC and resulted in schools like SMU leaving. For all the blame that Karl Benson gets here, the facts are that Dobelle’s attempt to get into the MWC resulted in the WAC imploding. Funny how back in 2003 we were talking about a “watered-down WAC”.
Oops, here is a link to the article:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Oct/20/sp/sp12aferd.html
Good morning Tsai-kos!
Liz – to find the bread pudding, think Redskins… 😀
I agree with d1 – IS IT SATURDAY YET??!!!
Watched the vb game. Announcers kept talking about NaMaSU’s crowd and how they’re #16(?) in the nation. No mention of how UH has been #1 every year since 1994…
Just seems Benson fails to gain the respect of it members. No respect results in no loyalty. No loyalty results in no support. Is Benson the glue to keep the WAC together? Apparently not.
HawaiiMongoose,
The *really* interesting thing about the Thompson interview published today is that he says that there is only room for *2* D-IA conferences in the West, the Pac-10 and the MWC. That seems to indicate that he wants to get rid of the WAC so that the MWC has less competition for TV money and recruits in the West.
That seems to indicate where the MWC will expand if and when they expand next. After taking BSU, Fresno, and Nevada, can Utah State be far behind? How many more teams does the MWC plan to take from the WAC to encourage its end? Or will the MWC’s partnership with C-USA end up resulting in La Tech getting an invitation to the C-USA?
“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”
…or understand what one is writing.
GO WARRIORS!
WAY TO GO WAHINE!
GOOD MORNING HAWAII!
Despite what Don Weirs might think – that I am too young to have been in Honolulu Stadium – I remember us playing football with the Fullertons, Redlands, Long Beach.
It would be great if we can now play the Notre Dames, the various Service Academies etc as an independent. I’m not sure if that is in the cards for now.
There has been reference that the various Texas teams that may join the WAC would leave us just as quickly. If they did, it would be that they had “outgrown” the WAC. But that is down the road just as our “indie” prospects may be down the road.
Like ST points out, football in the WAC may be the best for us at this time.
Garret
Nicholas bought from a UH auction game worn football jersey a few years ago.
He wears it proudly at all UH games that he attends, here and away.
Don’t know why they didn’t continue or why we can’t buy authentic jerseys
from Rainbowtique.
Congrats to SailorBlue…the hat will make your Navy uniform look spiffy!
Funny… seven years later, here we are, once again discussing a soon-to-be “watered-down WAC”, with the future departures of BSU, Fresno, and Nevada, and the addition of Montana and a couple of Texas schools. If people need a reminder, Montana is now, what BSU used to be, prior to joining the WAC… a D-IAA powerhouse. With more funds and scholarships, I hope we’ll still be looking down at them in the conference standings, and not chasing after them like we have with BSU.
Here’s BSU’s Football history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Boise_State_Broncos_football_seasons
Montana football presently holds the record for most consecutive years going to the D-IAA playoffs… 17 in a row.
UH as independent in football would be bad, IMHO. While the WAC isn’t the greatest conference, UH Manoa is still growing as a university. Alumni need to give back to the university so UH Manoa can compete with booster rich schools.
#39… Garret… gotta remember… if BSU, Fresno, and Nevada weren’t going over to the MWC, and if TCU departs to the Big East, the MWC would collapse. The teams he stole from the WAC are why he still has his job.
No matter where they go they best medicine is to WIN!!! An who knows the SEC and Big-12 or Big 10 arent the only schools out there i mean there’s what 100+ teams out there I think we could fill out our football schedule with teams. An the PAC 10 seems to do deals with us. I’ll let them do there jobs cause they have more inside info than I do!
Good morning everyone!
Congrats to Sailor Blue and mahalo to Dr. Sewake!
Congrats Sailor Blue!
Congrats to Cassy!
http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100930_Isagawa_helps_US_win_Junior_Ryder_Cup.html
Garret what’s your take on this. If TCU bolts for the Big East, what’s the possiblity of Fresno and Reno staying in the WAC.
Do you think Benson has some kind of plan to take advantage of that happening?
ST does make a lot of good points at the top of the blog in his argument against going indy. However, it should be pointed out that the Big West may just need to add 1 school to fill out its conference for some sports…and they have talked about both UH and SJSU. SJSU fits its geographical profile very well and they could eventually have to drop out of D-IA football.
Independence for football is always an option, ST is correct there. However, the only option for UH’s other sports in the Big West, and the Big West may not have an opening available forever. If SJSU drops out of D-IA in a few years and joins the Big West, the WAC could be dead AND there may be no Big West option…then the entire Athletic Department has to close up shop since without getting the nonrevenue sports a home UH cannot be in D-1.
cocobean,
The chance of Fresno and Reno staying in the WAC if TCU leaves is basically *zero*. Even without TCU, the MWC has much more TV money and, more importantly, NCAA basketball money. The MWC gets double the basketball teams and their teams win games in the NCAA tournament…so, their schools get up to $2 million more per year.
Nevada isn’t going to give up a chance for that money, for lower travel costs, and to be in a conference with UNLV. Remember, Nevada’s AD specifically said that sending their nonrevenue teams to Hawaii killed their Athletic Budget.
Fresno State isn’t going to give up the MWC for the WAC either. More money, better geographical fit, etc.
Put it this way: Even without TCU, UH would happily leave the WAC and join the MWC if they were invited.
TAILGATE FUUD
I will attempt to list the tailgate potluck contributions for the next two home games. I will list in the Events Calendar entry for the tailgate (click on my name and scroll down to the yellow background section). Reminders (that are obvious, but not) … 🙂
No one expects you to bring enough for everyone. (if it runs out, too bad…)
Check the potluck list If the potluck list looks full to you, then rest a week and be among the first to list next time. If the list is empty…help… especially in the areas that look sparse.
Please post your food item on the blog before Friday night. You can always make last minute substitutions.
🙄 This never worked before, but maybe times are changing… let’s give it a shot again!
One thing that Bobby Curran brought up on his show this morning is that in his opinion he doesn’t think fans will be willing to pay premium prices to see teams like UTSA, Texas State, Montana etc. If after cruching the numbers UH feels it can make more money as an independent, then that’s what will happen.
Garret,
I agree that now is the time to make a move to the Big West. The opportunity may not be there later. I’d just like to see UH stay in the WAC for football if possible.
#45
Agree that UH needs alumni to “give back” to the school. Would be great to see their alumni athletes that made a good career in the NFL give back as well. Other than Anthony Carter, has there been anyone else that gave back? I haven’t heard of any, but I hope I’m wrong.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THE MOUNTAIN WEST COMMISSIONER OPENLY ADMITS THAT THOUSANDS OF STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE NO PLACE OR DESERVE TO BE PARTICIPATING IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS AT THE DIVISION ONE LEVEL.
THAT PIECE OF TRASH WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO A HIGHER POWER ONE DAY AND NOT ALL THE TELEVISION MONEY IN THE WORLD WILL BE ABLE TO CUSHION HIS FALL FROM GRACE WHEN THE FIRES OF HELL ARE LIGHTING UP HIS OKOLE.
Tsigh… same old stuff, so I’ll put my paddle in the water again… YES, UH can make money as independent…but it needs a good salesman to sell itself for $2 million for each of the 4-5 body bag games it needs to play on the mainland to maintain D-1A status. And if of only one D-1AA win can count to the Hawaii Bowl, well… bye bye Hawaii Bowl. Premium prices from the fans…right….
Jeff,
Those overtones are there. Bobby C had Coach Dana, Trap, and even quoted Dave Shoji as proponents of going to the Big West for non-football sports. Well, Coach Dana was more “gray” than anything, but those overtones are there.
Especially from Coach Trap who really went into details of RPI and whatnot.
Aloha Kakahiaka, again.
CONGRATS TO CASSY!!! Primed by Tsai-kos… now among the best in the world!
jm- you are bringing bread pudding to JJ’s Broiler on Sunday morning????
HiHo!
Oh yeah- and I want UH to be the next Boise Statesque breakout team- just WIN, guys… WE BELIEVE!
Aiea Makule…
“Alumni” doesn’t just apply to the athletes…. many of whom gave up their bodies to play football for all those years and have scars.. limps… aches and life time nagging reminders from such. Some of them are more valuable in the time and energy they spend helping promote UH and Hawaii than in money they might otherwise donate.
“Alumni” … Shouldn’t that apply to all UH students and faculty, past and present?
tom…if you are out there in cyberspace…go check hawaii.rr.com
According to these three sources, Louisiana-Lafayette and North Texas turned down the WAC again.
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=451&f=2368&t=6454934
I really enjoy the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
This e-mail that is reportedly from Montana’s AD shows the budget problems that Montana has. They have major Title IX problems now (they have to add 2 women’s sports) and they don’t have the money for that right now. They have to add even more women’s sports if they join the WAC, but it sounds like their budget problems will squeeze them if they stay in D-IAA.
These snippets stood out to me:
http://www.egriz.com/grizboard/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45683
Montana wishes they could be in the MWC and says that they already be invited to the MWC if they had joined the WAC earlier.
SteveM #59
UH won’t be able to play 4-5 bodybag games on the mainland, because there are other teams that want those games– they are vital to their survival and they can be more competitive for those games than we can coming from so far away. Maybe we can get one or two.
It won’t help the program beyond money to play those games if we get blown out, and if we actually win, no one will schedule those with us.
On the reverse, is those teams pay big bucks for those games because they make so much more money playing at home. So, we will spend whatever we make on paying the same kind of fees to get those decent teams to come here to play.
The conferences are moving to reduce those body bag games to make more money for the conference by going to a 9 game conference schedule– Big 10, Big 12, and Pac 10– that will limit the OOC games to just three instead of 4– a lot fewer possibilities for our scheduling and more competition from other independents and MWC and CUSA teams trying to schedule up.
Here are contract details of Wyoming’s 2-for-1 deal with Nebraska. This is a data point if UH does 2-for-1 deals in the future.
Wow. Epic email by O’Day. Most of the facts are in support of Montana making the leap to the WAC, which bodes well for the conference.
Garret:
If TCU leaves for the Big East and the MWC wants to setup a championship game with Conference USA
1. Will that stop Houston from joining the MWC?
2. Which four teams do you speculate would join the MWC?
Doesn’t the MWC and WAC get it. They are the farm leagues of the west and will always be until such time that a overhaul of how the wealth will be spread. If the system never changes the strong will get stronger and the weak will be fed the crumbs.
The BCS coharts got Utah to leave the MWC, now the Big East will eventually make a play for TCU, and BYU not appreciating their experience with the MWC and Thompson feels their new direction and plan will lead them to a potential invite by the Big 12.
Thus the MWC gets raided by the BCS conferences and the WAC gets raided by the MWC. Back to square one for both leagues. A better path for both leagues were to work together and work in keeping their members together and keep building the conferences and in time the prestige they would of achieved.
They are now looked upon as the conferences that will continue to fill the needs of the BCS conferences and keep the MWC & WAC in check to continue to have the bread crumbs. If the BCS conferences can continue to manipulate the power and control, why would they want to share the wealth with more schools.
Dobelle and Frasier…
How appropriate… that their names start with the grades you most want to avoid…
Their ghosts continue to haunt us…
Thanks Garret. Really like your analysis ot the differenct scenarios.
Not an Expert,
For the MWC, delusions of grandure persist.
The evidence lies within that statement Garret posted from their commish.
FYI…
per uhwarriors @ sportshawaii.com
This is a little cloudy but, didn’t the UH Wahine have to join the WAC. Was it at the same time that the Football team joined the WAC? I was wondering on this because could the football team stay in the WAC and the rest of the sports join the Big West? Sounds like we would be saving a lot of money if the other sports join the Big West, but if the football team stays in the WAC, then most of the scheduling problems are solved. Maybe the WAC will allow this because 2 of the schools that the WAC are interested in does not have football teams. UH would fill in 1 of the slots for football and the 2 teams would fill in the for the other sports if UH bolts to the Big West.
The interesting thing to me is if the MWC really wants to be the only other western conference aside from the Pac-12 then they may need to expand. They are at 10 teams now, so which teams do they add?
Utah State (definitely)
La Tech (nope, bad geography)
SJSU (bad on-field performance)
Idaho (small football stadium and BSU wouldn’t want them)
NMSU (no money, bad on-field performance)
UH (bad geography, but good on-field performance historically)
If the MWC wants to only add western teams, I’d say that Utah State and one of UH/Idaho/NMSU/SJSU are in. All candidates have their negatives, but UH can compete with Idaho/NMSU/SJSU for a spot based on on-field performance (assuming things go okay this season).
If TCU leaves, the MWC has to add 3 teams. In that scenario, my guess is that they take Utah State, UH, and SJSU since it seems that NMSU doesn’t have the money to stay in D-IA.
So, if the MWC *really* wants to kill the WAC, UH might actually benefit.
I would think men’s volleyball and women’s water polo would stay put.
If Montana joins the WAC, they could very rapidly push ahead to take one of the MWC’s open spots. There aren’t that many other schools in the west and the MWC is making it clear that they want teams in the west.
AL: #62 – spacey, yes, but …
Garett has enhanced Steven’s blog with the national information on colleges and their conference current and future affiliation scenarios as well as the wealth of other information. Steven has done great in bringing information forth from players, coaches and UH administration. They compliment each other well in keeping the interest for us to come and read to the sharing of our thoughts.
Synergism brings many positive results. Keep up the good work and contributions that both of you bring to this blog.
Anyone have the present AQ standings amongst all FBS Conferences?
If UH wants to join the MWC, the best way is to be successful.
No doubt, if UH had continued the success it had in 2006 and 2007. it would be invited to the MWC.
Boise State left the door open in 2007. UH didn’t respond, and Boise rebounded.
Reminds me of UH’s 1992 season. UH actually went backward, deciding against accepting partial-qualifiers, while Utah and New Mexico poured more money into their programs.
Give the WAC credit for being creative in finding programs. If this were the MLB, then the WAC would be the Oakland A’s and the MWC would be the New York Yankees.
NCAA,
I agree. I like the level of competition for Warrior volleyball in the MPSF and the Rainbow Wahine water polo team does well too at that level of competition.
Stephen my apologies in mispelling your name.
Not an Expert:
Garret does a great job. But every person who posts brings an element that improves the entire product.
I always go back to Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing.”
There’s the debate whether the restaurant is ruled by the owner or the patrons. In creating the blog, I decided it should be run by the readers, not the host. It’s the readers and posters who have made this work, not me. Every day, I learn so much from our readers.
Stephen, well said and I stand corrected. Let’s just say you and Garett are the engine.
ST,
I completely agree with this. If the MWC could add another school that could have the success that UH had in 2006/2007, they would be well on their way to AQ status. Trouble is, none of the candidates have that–even Fresno and Nevada do not provide that. BSU makes up for their loss of Utah, Fresno and/or Nevada make up for BYU, but they need 1 more school that is ranked at the end of the year in the top 25 to push them over the top.
In 2006 and 2007, UH would have been that school.
tom…awww shucks.
Maybe we can tap some of the 28,000 millionares located in Hawaii for money. Were #1. Oh I porgot its also very expensive to live in Paradise.
http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/109083/the-richest-states-in-america
I’m just a contributor to this blog, no more than countless others here. ST is the one that makes this blog possible. It is amazing how much he puts up with people who disagree with his points…I’ve posted when I have disagreed and as long as I can explain my reasons and don’t attack anybody I think ST is okay with it.
Papajoe2,
It was several years until all the Wahine sports were in the WAC after football joined. Not sure when volleyball joined the WAC, but Wahine softball was still in the Big West in the early 90’s where Coach Coolen brought home a Big West Championship.
we may/would have to pay the price to be ushered in to the mwc. that of course, would be travel subsidies. in any event, paying a “cover charge” is inevitable for us to get to any dance in the future.
madeinhawaii #61
You are absolutely correct. Don’t misunderstand my post as there are many UH alumni that give back through the UH Foundation and other means. I do think, however, that AC’s generosity was terrific. I just haven’t heard of any others, and maybe they need to be publicized better.
Pomai,
Call Ralph. His PC is KAPUT.
Al,
If the MWC distributes between $1.2 million and $2 million (Nevada crunched the numbers) to its teams than the WAC does, then maybe UH won’t really need to pay a travel subsidy–UH could reduce its payment from the conference by $500k or so and still come out $1 million or more ahead than things are now!
JD said that he offered travel subsidies to the MWC this summer and was rejected. But that was when the MWC was looking at a 9 or 10 team conference to try to get AQ status (and UH’s BCS points were really, really low due to 2008/2009). If the MWC eventually looks to go to 12 teams, there aren’t many choices in the west.
Aiea Makule,
Depends on how those alumni/alumnae donate.
If they donate online to the UHF, then good luck ever hearing about it. UHF will not release those names for privacy under their policy.
At the same time some that donate prefer to be unknown for various reasons.
Staying in the WAC is suicide…we cannot be the next Boise playing the bottom third of the WAC and monatna and seattle!!!! teams will play us just like teams play army…we have the prstige to schedule people evry year …go warriors …go independent
UH football needs to be in a conference, period. As an independent, we could schedule games at the beginning of the season and probably games at the end of the season, although even that is increasingly difficult as the remaining BCS conferences add conference championship games and God help us if the NCAA ever goes to a true playoff system.
But there’s no way that schools will continue to come out in October and November, so we’ll have to play on the road. How many times per season are we going to expect our team to play on the road? How many Las Vegas stays between games are acceptable from an economic, academic, and competitive point of view? Or do you really think that Army and Navy and BYU and Notre Dame will play in Hawaii every single year? Two out of every three years? If you were the AD at those schools, how would you justify that? And for those teams that do come out, if UH should somehow win those games, ala Purdue, Michigan State, Northwestern, would they continue coming? Forget it. It ain’t happening.
And as for new WAC members jumping ship in a few years, where are they going? There are only so many spots at the BCS trough and almost every one of them is filled. CUSA already has twelve teams. Even if the Big East or the MWC picks off a team or two, there are already a number of replacements begging to get in. No one’s going to wait until 2013 or 2014 while the new schools get it together.
And as for the Big West, yes, it’s an opportunity that may be lost, but I can see the WAC surviving very well as a non-football conference if it comes to that by adding the Texas schools, Denver, Seattle, UC Davis or some combination like that. I think our Men’s Basketball team will be a strength very, very soon to join our as baseball, Women’s VBall and SBall teams so those sports would offer a lot to a conference. Travel costs are also lower for those sports and teams that come out can schedule multiple games with UH and the other Hawaii college teams so it’s more easily justified for them.
Football is a mega high stakes game, with huge rewards for the winners and huge problems for the losers. Anyone trying to get in — or stay in — the game has to focus on their competitive and economic bottom line. The costs are already stacked against playing in Hawaii. We are not operating from a position of strength. Sad, but true.
Well, whatever we decide to do we should announce it sooner than later in order to address our future recruiting needs. The longer this lingers, the higher the risk that a recruit will discount UH from his list of schools or other schools use this as their pitch because of all this uncertainity.
Ever since the MWC was formed, UH administrators have made inquiries about Hawaii joining. As far as I know, EVERY single time we inquired, the answer was no, even when we offered to subsidize travel expenses. As much as I would love to be proven wrong, there is no MWC in our future.
I’m thinking about starting a rumor that the PAC-10 is looking to expand to sixteen teams and the MWC is wanting to expand to twelve. That makes for possibly seven teams in the west that will join the two conferences and that in the west only UH fits into the PAC-10’s plans athletically and academically. I’m hoping this rumor forces the MWC to grab UH before the spring. I am officially starting this rumor now.
Garret,
I will be running the cash boxes for the Busalacchi Family on Sunday, 10.10.2010 in front of Trattoria Fantastica in Little Italy.
Let me know if you can make it down as we have a very important topic to discuss as concerns the Washington Husky game next September.
If Hawaii goes independent it’s a gamble that can either break or make the future of UH athletics. Is it worth the risk? Every great payoff does most often comes with a risk. If Hawaii stays in the WAC how many more years will it take to build the WAC and how many more years will it take for Hawaii to be the next team to get to a BCS conference? Failiure will not be an option if taking the path of independence.
Some of us will be dead and gone if Hawaii stays in the WAC and continues to make an effort to get to the highest level. On that point many of you who may not be able to donate much now, maybe able to bequeath your life insurance policy to the athletic department and give more upon your passing. if you don’t have one buy one for that purpose and have the premiums tax deductible. Endowments and continued endowments through life insurance giving is a steadying source of revenues that helps many endeavors.
#66 Garret – A guy (the WAC) walks up to a girl (Montana) and asks her out on a date. The girl says I’ll think about it. Then the guy finds out that the girl actually likes this other guy (the MWC), but the girl decides to go out with the guy (WAC) anyway as a way of getting closer to the other guy (MWC). Dirty girl.
Would you want to date her?
Why would just staying in the WAC for football tick off the other WAC teams? Wouldn’t they be happy that they would not have to make the long trip to Hawaii for all their non-football sports and save a lot in travel expenses.
garret…that is why it is always a good practice “to never burn the bridges behind you”. one never knows when they have to go back…
jd knows this and has played his/our cards very craftily.
Kev-1…
Is she cute?
Maybe this is why teams are engaged in sports.. never married to the sports… eh?
kev-1,
If you are Karl Benson you do. At least Montana is open about their goal being the MWC. By the way, I read things awhile back that showed how both Texas State and UT-San Antonio plan to build up their programs so that they can earn a spot into C-USA. C-USA has triple the TV money, far more basketball money, and has a bunch of teams in the state of Texas so we cannot really blame them.
Basically, *nobody* is happy with being in the WAC. If the Pac-10, Big 12, Big 10 or SEC called, every WAC team would say yes even if the geography made no sense. Right now every WAC team would say yes to the MWC, so we shouldn’t mind if Montana wants them also.
Think of the WAC as a bunch of low-level boxers who are hoping for a title shot. BSU earned their way up. Nevada and Fresno had by far higher computer rankings than any other WAC team for the BCS evaluation period. All the teams in the WAC are hoping to beat the other teams enough to earn their way out of the conference…that is just how the WAC is.
Don Weir,
The Elementary School that my kids go to has their carnival on 10/10 and I have to volunteer and also spend the day with my kids there. Then that night I’m taking the kids to Disney on Ice (Lori won tickets). So, that day is bad for me and hate to be missing a chance to talk with you!
Al,
I agree 100% with your post in #107.
Work is calling me away now. I’ll be back in 10 days.
The key is to win and keep winning. Be the giant killer then become the giant.
Alumni loyalty is something which needs to be fostered from the get-go. And therein lies the problem at UHM. For decades, the university has not done a good job at servicing its most important customers, its students. By this, I am talking about a wide range of things like class/course availability, easily accessible professors, smaller class sizes (which increases the level of interaction making for a more rewarding experience), far better administrative support (until the Student Services Center building was completed, students would need to wander to various different locations for admissions, fiscal services, etc and often times, have to deal with inflexible administrative staff which again, resulted in a less than satisfying relationship/experience). Add to this, the entire commuter experience of the campus where the place is literally dead once classes are done for the day and it is a recipe for college students having a suboptimal “collegiate” experience.
So what does one expect when the only time the university comes “cold” calling is when they need money? And (rhetorical question here), how long has the UH Alumni Association been an organization on campus and why have those in charge throughout the decades not been able to come up with more innovative ways to keep in contact with its former alumni? Another rhetorical question; why hasn’t UHM done a better job cultivating a culture of carefully nurturing their students (their customer base) by servicing their needs a bit better? Professors, lecturers, and administrative personnel should have this as one of their top points in their mission statements. It thererfore shouldn’t be surprising why the UHAD for years has done a poor job in keeping in contact with its former athletes leading to a significant number of “disenfranchised” lettermen. While there are a large number of very hardworking individuals at UHM, they are overshadowed by the morons at the higher levels of the organization; some of whom are more concerned about their “high-3” with regards to their retirement. This is the underlying culture that defines the university system (and is symptomatic of the state government) and that needs to be fixed first if UH wants to eventually increase the amount of donations it receives from this invaluable group of individuals.
While I eventually got my undergraduate degree from the UC system, I can say the first few years at Manoa were unmemorable for me. Not all of UHM is like this mind you. Take the Shidler College of Business (formerly College of Business Administration) for example. I personally received my executive MBA from CBA before Jay Shidler donated to the school. While the college was not as cash rich prior to that donation, one thing they proactively did was try to make the relationship professional; they also did a decent job of maintaining some level of contact after the fact. Now of course with the donation, they’ve been able to outreach even more which of course, results in a higher hit rate when it comes to alumni giving back to the college. This level of proactiveness however is fairly a foreign concept for the rest of the university which is why the results of what we see today are not surprising. The university essentially mortgaged its future by its inaction of the past (i.e. not investing in the future on a number of fronts including letting its physical infrastructure deteriorate). And as Garret has mentioned a number of times, some of UH’s (Dobelle’s in this case regarding solidarity) past decisions are coming back to haunt them today.
The question in these times is how this state as a whole will respond going forward. Whatever decisions are decided with regards to UHM’s place in the grander scheme of things, the status quo will not suffice either way because if that line of thinking prevails, then the results will end up being the same with the university having to make the painful decision in the future to give up athletics as we know it today. And by this, I mainly mean the football program. We unfortunately have very little leverage at this time. Football is for better or worse, the main revenue driver and as has been said by many a number of times, winning helps… a lot. Thus the even more increased urgency for Warrior football to do well now.
For the time being and as I mentioned before, I still believe that UH needs to hang on with the WAC (at least for football) even if it is a undesirable watered down version mainly to give us time to get our own house in order; so that we can operate from a position of strength. Whether or not the powers that be see it that way (fixing the problems), I have no idea. But once UH burns that bridge, there will be no going back and it will be extremely difficult to get back into any conference (football wise) unless we become a powerhouse outside of one. Being a realist here, we’ve had difficulties being a consistent top dog in the WAC such that I don’t see us doing very well as an independent initially (and just how many losses will the UH fan base; a highly fickle one, take? clue, we can’t even fill up every seat in the stadium for USC).
Silky Voice:
You’re right about student experience tying into alumni donations.
I remember in the early 80s, when UH wanted to relocate the students from prime areas at Aloha Stadium. I remember one of the administrators saying: One day you’ll be a graduate, and you’ll want the seats we’re taking from the students.
Even then, I thought: That’s a bad thing to say to a future customer.
There has to be a reason why only a handful of former student-athletes have given back to Manoa.
The football landscape will continue to change next year. This is what I think will happen.
Big 10 – they are all set w/ 12 teams with the addition of Nebraska
SEC – they already have 12 teams so they are set.
ACC – they already have 12 teams, no change.
PAC 10 – they will have 12 teams with the addition of Colorado and Utah.
Mid American – they have a baker’s dozen (13 teams); might they have 1 more team?
Big 12 – they will have 10 teams after Nebraska and Colorado leave. They want to get to 12 teams. I think they will pick up TCU from the Mountain West and Houston of Conference USA.
Big East – they currently have 8 teams. They will want to add 4 more teams to make it 12. Likely teams to be invited are Central Florida, Marshall, East Carolina, and Memphis.
Conference USA – with the losses of teams leaving to other conferences, they will need to pick up 5 teams to get back to 12 teams. Teams likely to move to Conf. USA are Troy, La Tech, Middle Tenn, Florida Atlantic, and either Lousiana-Lafeyette or Monroe.
Mountain West – after TCU leaves, Utah and BYU gone, they need to fill 3 teams to get up to 12 teams. I think they invite Utah State, San Jose St., and Hawaii. Hawaii still have the HI exception and the Hawaii Bowl to offer.
That leaves Idaho and New Mexico St. who are likely to go back to the Sun Belt Conference and join North Texas, Florida International, Arkansas St., either Monroe or Lafeyette, and they can pick up UTSA and Texas State, and Montana.
If Utah St. and/or La Tech leave the WAC early, then basically the WAC is dead as well as Hawaii. I still think all other UH sports should go to the Big West, except maybe men’s basketball in the MWC along w/ football if we are invited. But, mark my words, there will still be a lot of changes.
Jeff:
The other WAC schools want Wahine volleyball and some of UH’s other sports.
“At the end of their Southern Mississippi highlight video, the Louisiana Tech video department uses a clip of Greg Alexander sustaining the knee injury that ended his season and possibly his career with the words “Now’s Your Chance… Beat Hawaii” plastered over it” Any other play would’ve been okay but the one that ended Alexanders Career is kinda really just messed up. I hope Hawaii does what they did to Charleston Southern to La Tech maybe even worse.
I think the WAC is too polite.
Go raid other conferences.
I’d approach San Diego State and say: You want to be a star? Come to the WAC. You’re never going to win another football title in the MWC. In the WAC, you’re a top-three team.
I look at Wyoming as being the weak link. It’s hiding behind Colorado State and Air Force. Same pitch to the Cowboys: You want to be a star? Come to the WAC.
Why be a star when you get paid more for being a bit actor?
Then again, I’m selfish.
San Antonio is probably one of the best cities in Texas. So, yeah, bring in UT San Antonio.
I mean, things change. It wasn’t that long ago that Nevada was Nevada-Reno, and nobody thought they would be any good in I-A.
And I remember when Boise State players used to grumble that people thought they were from Iowa.
Things change. There was a time when Miami was an unknown team.
And, since I’m being a manure disturber today, complain all you want about the quality of the WAC. But it would be bad if UH goes into the Big West and doesn’t win a volleyball or baseball title. There’s something to be said about being the big fish in a little pond.
There’s a salary cap, essentially, for players. It’s better to win championships than to balance budgets.
Re ST #117 that reminded me of an article by Ann Miller in yesterday’s paper. Here is NMSU volleyball coach Mike Jordan
“I don’t care if Nevada and Fresno State leave the WAC,” NMSU coach Michael Jordan said. “It almost doesn’t matter who comes in their place. As long as we still have Hawaii, I’m happy. It gives us the marquee name and ability. The couple years we’ve been able to compete with them and beat them, those opportunities are still there so we can continue to make a name for ourselves. We’ve got a goal, someone to try to catch up to. Them being in our conference makes us better. I’d be really bummed if we lost Hawaii.”
It’s almost pathetic the way he’s practically begging Hawaii to stay in the WAC.
Today somebody was telling me it would be too hard to market games for the expanded WAC.
Well, that’s why UH has a marketing department. Go market.
Anybody can sell Coca-Cola or Diet Coke. It takes work to sell Coke Zero.
Jeff:
True, very sad.
But I wish somebody had begged Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada to stay.
Then again, it can’t be easy for a volleyball coach to be named MIchael Jordan.
Jeff,
Well, I can see where Coach Jordan is coming from with regards to his program’s survival.
When watching the replay of last night’s match, I couldn’t help but think of the dire situation NMSU athletics is in. I’ve spoken with a few NMSU volleyball fans two seasons ago when we hosted the WAC volleyball tourney and we joked in the concourse near Gate A where they had the tourney bracket set up how we should just move the NMSU and Hawaii labels to the championship games to save time.
NMSU has a decent bball program, but their football program is on life support and it’s already more than obvious how they need football to survive.
By the way, I’m stirring the football-independence debate because I’m fairly sure it’s a done deal.
I think polling coaches about the Big West is a way of justifying the move.
I mean, you don’t ask your kids what they want for Christmas and then buy them pajamas.
I also think UH is under the impression it can do the hokey-pokey: if independence doesn’t work out, it can jump back into a league later. Uh, no. You can take your football team out, and shake it all about, but it’s never going back into a league.
Derek – Big East may only have 8 teams for football, but has *16* teams for other sports, notably basketball. Bringing in 4 more schools may make it untenable, unless it’s only for football. The conference is big enough as it is and has problems with scheduling, although they get a lot of money from March Madness.
(HOYA SAXA!!)
Kazz, Yes I remember when the Wahine was in the Big West. Not too much publicity about the women then, but I do remember when Coach Vince Goo’s team lost only 2 games (I could be wrong about the #) but was not invited to the NCAAs. They also had some other good years too without being invited. I think the year before that year, we had a good record and was left out of the playoffs so when we followed it up with the 2 lost season and still was left out, that hurt a lot. Now the tournament has expanded so there is a better chance for good teams to make it in. We also were sent to some faraway place for playoffs even though we were from the west.
The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to trying to sell season tickets and PSCs for these new WAC teams to UH fans is to really push UH itself as the new FACE of the WAC to try to get fans to buy into the UH product itself.
It’s not lying, it’s the truth.
UH as of NOW can contend and beat out a WAC that could look like:
NMSU
USU
SJSU
Idaho
LaTech
UT San Antonio
Texas State
Montana
And that is not just in football, but in many other sports too, revenue sports or not.
It will be hard to push fans into a program that would essentially be the big fish in the SMALLEST pool, but then again you have local fans wanting the WAC to find “the next BSU” and their own home team doesn’t even cross their mind.
Kazz:
If that’s the way the WAC looks, then UH should be able to dominate in football. Add a few non-conference games and you’re staring at 12-1 or 10-2 seasons.
Nobody complained when UH won titles in the diluted WAC in 1999 and 2007.
I wish Mack would speak up on this issue.
It’s one thing to say “I trust Jim” and “I can only worry about this season,” but if you don’t speak up now, you have to live with decisions made by others. Do you deal with the new WAC or do you prepare for that Georgia-Georgia Tech-Georgia Southern road trip in October 2013?
And, let us not forget, the Hawaii exemption only applies to games played in Hawaii. Even if Alabama wants to host UH, it might be booked.
ST,
Coach Dana also took the “I trust the administration” approach on her interview on 1420 this morning. But she is a new coach on a less-visible platform. Coach Trap talked as if the Big West was a done deal.
I’d drool over the baseball talent the Big West has if I were him too.
I wish Mack would comment on commits or at least have a commit comment that he committed. Wow, that’s a lot of “m’s”.
If noone else is happy with being in the WAC and potential new members are already setting their sights on other conferences and plan to use the WAC as a stepping stone, shouldn’t Hawaii do the same? We are the senior member of a conference that noone wants to be a part of in football anymore. At some point you have to stop settling.
ST, I understand your stance about remaining in the WAC, and you make a lot of sense, especially from a financial standpoint. But I just see it as settling. Maybe its time for us to be someones mistress and start flirting with other opportunities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYnySGM9dQA
I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin’.
I see bad times today.
Don’t go around tonight,
Well, it’s bound to take your life,
There’s a bad moon on the rise.
I hear hurricanes ablowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers overflowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.
Don’t go around tonight,
Well, it’s bound to take your life,
There’s a bad moon on the rise.
Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we’re in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.
Don’t go around tonight,
Well, it’s bound to take your life,
There’s a bad moon on the rise.
The Key for UH football or just all sports in general they have to COMPETE with everyone. No matter if its Alabama or Appalachin State. You compete with the Big Boys then the fans might overlook the schedule an come to the games. “Body Bag” games are only called that doesnt mean you cant go down without a fight
Thanks for your posts Stephen, good reading. We all want what is best for UH. To me, the problem with staying in the WAC is that no one wants to see UH beat up on chumps. San Antone, Texas State, move up Montana to DI, etc. So you’re the big fish in a small pond. Nobody cares about the small pond when you were in the Sugar Bowl three years ago.
As a fan, I’d rather see UH lose to Nebraska then kick San Antone.
The other problem I have with the WAC is Benson. We’ve followed this guy for years and have taken it in the shorts over and over.
We need to go independent, or beg into another conference.
For me, our days in the WAC have got to end.
Some have posted that UH did flirt but then they noticed that UH is high maintenance.
UH needs to realize that it is far away from potential suiters. To continue this interesting analogy . . . there is always that one girl (or guy) that lives on the other side of the island, but was well worth the drive to spend time with (if you know what I mean). Hawaii needs to show that they aren’t just high maintenance, and that they are worth the drive or the flight. UH needs to PUT OUT!!!!!
Benson would be a FOOL not enforce a new HEFTY payout penalty for the WAC schools.
Yeah we’d be targeted too, but I’m just saying…
Speaking of delusions of grandure…
UH wants to play the “high maintenance” game, then it better start suiting itself to actually BE “high maintenance”.
And I am not referring to the high costs of facility maintenance due to projects and allotted kala sitting around waiting for low-end contract bids.
My monitor may not be transmitting the right inflection or intonation, but a coach of another WAC team expresses great admiration for our team and and hopes we stay in conference… and we think he’s pathetic? Why?
The WAC may not be the belle of the ball, but we asked our dream girl out and time and time and TIME AGAIN and each time we’ve been shot down. I’d love to be in the PAC10 or 12, BUT THEY DON’T WANT US! I’d like very much to be in the MWC, BUT THEY DON’T WANT US! I’d even “settle” at this point to be in CUSA, but I doubt they want us either.
And if you can’t be,
With the one you love, honey,
Love the one you’re with!
MWC you will be the remants of the WAC. When all is said and done after the major realignment is done by 2012-2013, MWC will look probably like this.
Fresno State
Nevada
Boise State
Utah State
Colorado State
Wyoming
UNLV
San Diego State
Air Force
New Mexico
Hawaii ?
San Jose ?
New Mexico State ?
The distance between the have and have nots will be greater by that time. The thing the non AQ conferences should have done is to create their own year end playoff system. They could have created and packaged an exciting product if they could have banned together and formulate a plan for benefiting their schools. Marketing and creating identity as some say North, South, East and West. Sure you would have lost some teams to the BCS as is happening now but heck whatever is left after the major realignment will just make the non AQ conference schools harder to maintain financially. Why because of the difference of money as time goes on. As I stated why would the schools garnering the greatest amount of money and control want to share it equally with the other 50 plus non AQ teams. Raid a team or two every so many years to keep the non AQ conferences in check. However after this major shift of 12 team leagues by the BCS adding teams in the future will be far and forever.
WAC basically will go down to the next level or totally disappear. Really what is the sense of trying to keep the WAC going? Until the time that Fresno and Nevada pays the exit fees? For gone conclusion the oldest current member of the WAC which has seen upteen teams come and go will need to plan their own destiny.
ST,
So would it be safe to say Coach Wade and his program is pretty much “immune” to all this madness”
Mr. Kev-1,
#140 That’s a good one. I still haven’t figured out what UH has that would make others come pounding on their door. I’ll leave that up to the hard working and dedicated administration at UH.
Kazz:
Yep. That’s the beauty of men’s volleyball. It’s in the best conference in the country: MPSF.
Begging, just isn’t sexy.
I just hate the idea of travel subsidies.
That’s like paying people cab money to come to your party.
I suppose UH could play hard to get.
But that would be like playing hide-and-seek when nobody wants to look for you.
So…
LaTech has been out-scored in the second half of games 51-9.
SOUND FAMILIAR?
Advantage us.
LaTech sucks OLOS when they play at Halawa.
I heard back in the day teams loved to travel to Hawaii for a game. They would spend a few days in Hawaii and enjoy their mini vacation. What was the lure for those teams to come here? Nowadays it’s all about the $$$, how travel to Hawaii affects their preparation for the next game, time lost from school…
Hawaii went from that oo-la-la bikini clad game to the bad complexion, muumuu wearing kankles game. Not many want to dance with or visit anymore.
I have no solutions, like some coaches, I have to just trust the administration. Thankfully, the posters on this blog offer insightful and interesting comments.
Army and Navy think about playing in Hawaii every 2 or 3 years against each other. Play each other 1st and the winning team plays Hawaii as a reward and get to stay in the islands for another week. The loser stays a few days and on the way back play another school. That school will know at least it will play either Army or Navy.
The interest the military community will have on this game. Plus all the Asian bases can somehow get into the frenzy of things to make it the happening. I bet the crowds will be in the 40,000 plus. The government can promote the academies and build morale for the forces stationed in Hawaii and the Pacific. With the head coaches and their ties with Hawaii it will be a good fit as well as national exposure for the tourism industry. No better time for being a game made for TV too.
UH gets to play an academy team and cost will be less due to the teams being able to stay on the military base. For Army and Navy they can still have their annual meeting and the revenge factor for the losing team can create additional interest for them.
Oh, it CAN be!!! 😎
NCAA,
Yeah ’cause back in the day, I’m assuming VonAppen days. It WAS a vacation for those teams.
o/~
I know you wanna leave me,
But I refuse to let you go
If I have to beg and plead for your sympathy,
I don’t mind coz’ you mean that much to me
Ain’t too proud to beg, sweet darlin
Please don’t leave me girl, don’t you go
Ain’t to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don’t leave me, girl, don’t you go
Now I heard a cryin’ man,
Is half a man with no sense of pride
But if I have to cry to keep you,
I don’t mind weepin’ if it’ll keep you by my side
Ain’t to proud to beg, sweet darlin
Please don’t leave me girl, don’t you go
Ain’t to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don’t leave me girl, don’t you go
If I have to sleep on your doorstep
All night and day just to keep you from walkin’ away
Let your friends laugh, even this I can stand
Because I want to keep you any way I can
Ain’t too proud to beg, sweet darlin’
Please don’t leave me girl, don’t you go
Ain’t to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don’t leave me girl, don’t you go
Now I’ve gotta love so deep in the pit of my heart
And each day it grows more and more
I’m not ashamed to come and plead to you baby
If pleadin’ keeps you from walkin’ out that door
Ain’t too proud to beg, you know it sweet darlin’
Please don’t leave me girl, don’t you go
Ain’t to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don’t leave me girl, don’t you go
Baby, baby, baby, baby (sweet darling)
Let’s face it, the WAC has been the stepping stone for institutions waiting for their opportunity to get to the next level. UH has been in the WAC longer than the remaining teams…. Why? Maybe we simply haven’t earned our way to the next level. If so.. therein lies the problem … and that has to be addressed before anything else.
Essentially the WAC has been a lifeboat with holes in it and it’s teams are guys with buckets dumping out water.
Who wants to be dumping out water instead of jumping onto a REAL boat.
While waiting for the cyber ink to dry, don’t forget to vote for UH.. 5-O
http://promotions.mardenkane.com/cbs/marchingbandmania/videovoting.cfm?vid=8
Wow…
more than the usual speculation and rhetoric today.
Something must be brewing…
GO WARRIORS!
There are a lot of interesting opinions and comments today. I was just going with the flow. I also apologize for sounding sexist in my previous posts.
Pride
Please keep us posted on how the granddaughter is doing.
This weather is LaTech weather, no?
It’s 65 degrees in Ruston right now. Clear skies with the high reaching 86 and a low of 55.
It’s also 9:50 pm.
Droid told me. 😎
can this texas a&m qb stare down his receivers any more?
Silky Voice, ST, et al,
I took a graduate degree from the Rossier School of Education at USC 19 years ago. USC comes to town and I receive a personal invitation to the Rossier reception from the Dean who signs it personally. This I found out was the typical invitation to all post graduate degree holders who are in the USC database and living in Hawaii. Doesn’t matter what you think of USC; all of the schools within the college keep in contact with alums over the years.
In 2004 the UHLWC started to make a sincere effort to capture all sports alumni into a database. This database has grown but many times I received a response that we were the first to contact the alum from UH since they graduated. Some of these alums had been away from UH since the 60’s and others all the way up from from the 2000’s. With a little work by UHLWC and Na Koa and tremendous support from Jim Donovan, look at the alum turnout for the last game in the past two football seasons, the alums #s on road trips to Seattle, Las Vegas, West Point, and Boulder. Hard work by Mike Perkins, Mike Biscotti, and Rick Blangiardi combined with past efforts by UHLWC and Na Koa saw a significant turnout of alums for the Na Koa telethon.
Reconnecting the past sports alumni to the University and the UHAD is neither easy nor is the hard work finished. The hard work continues.
I’ve noticed there are three types of people in this world: ones who make events happen, ones who watch events happen and ones that have events happen to them. The UHLWC, Na Koa, UHF, and UHAD are quite fortuitous to have the work by those making events happen as employees and as volunteers, in efforts reconnecting scholar/athlete alumni to the University and to the Athletics Department.
The good work continues. It takes time but the vision is there and we will make it happen one event, one alum, one reach-out at a time.
Don…
Now if you could contact ALL alumni in a general three-five State area when the Warriors are in town… wouldn’t that be something?
I think ST is right about staying in the WAC, and also about its a done deal. Anybody liked the Army / Colorado trip with the stop over in Vegas? Well, they will be doing that 2 or 3 times a year, maybe even staying on the road for three weeks straight. A lot of people keep saying that we will save money in the Big West for travel, so travel subsidies is no problem, but what about the football program. If we are going to play Nebraska, Alabama, Florida, Texas or any of those big schools in Oct. , it’s going to be on the road. There goes the savings. IMO
Like I keep saying, we just gotta win.
I will not mind the watered down WAC one bit if we find a way to be the bull. And hell no, i’d much rather get a WIN versus San Antonio or Montana than constantly getting demolished by the Nebraskas and Alabamas of this world. Yeh, maybe you can say that playing the big boys will give you that respect or stuff like that. But fielding a WINNING team has much more benefits than have a respectable loser.
And why are we so quick to bad talk Texas SA or Montana or DU or SEattle? The answer is simple: It’s the same reason we bad-talked that small Idaho school named Boise when all those former WAC schools bolted to create the MWC. We bad talk because we don’t know no better and we are only stuck on the illusion that things will always be worse, not better.
I say we stick with the WAC. WE will be ok…..if we become like Boise and run the table.
BIK
If the Big West will accept our other teams AND the WAC will accept UH as a football ONLY member, then that would work out fine. Just keep the OoC games on as high a level as possible.
Although I have been pro-independence since the WAC breakup, it appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel with all the talk of potential incoming schools. However, that so-called light isn’t as bright as I would like. ST, makes valid points on staying in the WAC tho. Just got to wait and see as I’m sure there will be more events unfolding as this season and beyond. Have faith and keep our options open and hopefully things will work out.
In Hawaii, you have to win. No matter what sport you play. There are just way too many things to do in paradise than to support a losing team (if you don’t have no family members on the team).
Now if we were in Auburn or Tuscaloosa, Athens, or Boise for that matter, there is not much else to do than to follow the local University’s teams. Surely one can go hunting or enjoy the days of summer. But once the fall rolls around, it’s time to hunker down. Now remember, I’m not talking about the long-time, usually older fan. I’m talking about the casual fan that makes up most of a school’s following. The old fans will be there regardless. Just ask Wazzu in Pullman. The old fans will be there. But as for the younger fans and students? They will not go to a game if your team is a constant loser.
In places like Miami, Honolulu, Los Angeles and Houston, you better win if you want people in the stands.
BIK
Field a WINNING team, regardless of the state of the WAC and UH football will comand the top shelf of sporting events in Hawaii. The stadium will fill and excitement will be generated throughout the state. EVEN with a watered down WAC.
I give every team a chance to be great. Dont’ automatically assume Montana, Texas SA, and TSU would join the wac to be losers. They will all improve and they will all get better. Football is king in TExas and them folks in Montana love their Griz.
BIK
ST is doing some real reporting and asking good questions. The idea of going independent is very romantic and God knows UH deserves it after nursing so many teams through the WAC. But it’s a big jump and a wrong move could really hurt the athletic program. Hawaii has some great advantages though, the Hawaii Bowl, the 13th game exemption, and of course, the greatest concentration of great football players in the country. Oh, and its 5-0 theme song. But one natural advantage is being sadly neglected. Its time zone.
Now I personally think UH games should be on Friday night and all high school games on Sat. But I’ve argued that before and it didn’t get any traction. BUT the main point is that Hawaii plays at a time when few to no other teams are playing. On the east coast this week’s WAC opening will start this week at 11:30PM. With Daylight savings time it will go back to 10:30PM. Click off hours for central and pacific times.
There is NO REASON why UH games are not broadcast live throughout the country on SOME CHANNEL! Bars, insomniacs, high school kids coming home from parties, and of course fans could watch without much football competition. Lots of people go to games, rack the leaves, or do other Fall things on Sat and only have the night to watch.
To go independent this would be a must. Hawaii has to obtain some version of national (global?) identity, Navy has its service people, Notre Dame has its Catholics, both of which are in decline. Hawaii does have its rainbow culture, its multiracial heritage, its dreams of paradise, and its aloha spirit. Add them to the other advantages listed above and that is not a bad start.
Just curious but is there some rule somewhere that says we can’t play on Sunday?
Don I hope we (UH) haven’t alienated some to to the point they want nothing to do with UH. This is one of the main goals of the Na Wahine Softball Booster Club, to re-connect with them, we want to involve them in the program once again.
MIH,
Sundays are made for the NFL. Cannot disrupt the Chi! 😉
To all the Maui Tsaikos and Maui lurkers…………
@ Don Weir
How can I reach you? I maybe able to help with your traveling display.
How are we looking on the recruiting front?
evening
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4eRAtMOFm0
I wonder what June Jones and Dick Tomey would say about the future of UH football? If it were them, what would they do? Jim Donovan should try to get their thoughts and maybe get some ideas. It doesn’t hurt to get input.
Derek…
June Jones would say…
“I’d say what I always say … pass.”
Actually, I believe JJ said that it was definitely a option he would explore. But, this was prior to all the reshuffling of the conferences, their expansions, and the ensuing talk of various in-conference playoffs. All of which, will make going independent much more difficult.
I wonder what kind of “travel” subsidies or the PAC 10 would demand for them to consider Hawaii? 5 million?
Jim Donovan would waste his time talking to individuals that have NO stake in UH athletics.
Congratulations SailorBlue!
Congratulations Cassy!
Ryder Cup live on ESPN
Hawaii should stay in the WAC.
Many analogies have already been given; just adding one more:
As bruised and battered as it may be, it’s still “home”. When the weather turns uglier having some kind of roof over your head beats scrambling around looking for cover.
All due respect to the other coaches but please be careful of letting the tail wag the dog.
The best decisions for the overall UHAD also have to be the best decisions for football.
Happy Birthday Fred Flintstone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PPf3aaZmUw
Time to let the blog mascot take me for a (soggy) walk around the neighborhood. Nytal!
Congratulations, Cassy!
TICKETS, TICKETS! I have two (2) tickets again for this weekend’s game. Let me know if you would like them. In the North End Zone, blue section V V.
However, instead of Flintstones cereal, how about waking up tomorrow and, “Start your day with a lil suga!!!”
Who says Division III football is boring?
Check out the interception from this past Saturday. (click on my name)
Saw a great movie from New Zealand, BOY, to kickoff the Hawaii International Film Festival. Before the movie, there was a performance by a group of young men & women who just won a competition at the Polynesian Cultural Center. They did some musical numbers and a haka. Wished some of the team coulda seen this, especially the newbies.
The writer/director of the film, Taika Waititi, included a great haka at the end of the film. You should go to see it: Friday, October 15, 5:45 p.m., and Sunday, October 17, 1:00 p.m. 🙂
I think everyone’s all tired out from the WAC and independence talk.
Just finished watching Robin Hood. Time to go nigh nigh.
Duffer- pls give Cassy the Great a BIG Tsai-ko shout out when she gets home. WAY To RE-PRE-SENT!
Ok 199
Tsweet Warrior Dreams!
Night, LizK!
201
Niiiiiiiggghhhhhttt….
Great Morning All!
Curt,
I doubt that mine will be the last word on the subject. 😉
OK Gang, got the “W” last week so here’s hoping the trend continues tomorrow. Til then…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYxnXMYHMPY
That said….
IS IT SATURDAY YET?
Goooood Morning!
d1,
You’re close to Saturday…
ST ~
Great story on ‘my boy’ Lewis Walker. Loved seeing him get that tackle for a fumble last weekend. I feel like such an Aunty… Watching these guys on the field practicing and then to see them execute on the playing field is fun.
UH vs LaTech
24 – 6 jojo
27 – 21 Pomai
27 – 17 Slugger
31 – 38 grumpy
31 – 20 Garret
31 – 28 papajoe2
31 – 28 Pride
34 – 31 Rasu Begasu
35 – 21 LizKauai
35 – 14 gigi
35 – 10 MR. GIGI
35 – 07 tommui
35 – 21 NYUH
35 – 20 HiFlyer
35 – 28 MP
35 – 24 Hawaiianbod
38 – 21 wafan
38 – 14 protector
38 – 28 Kev-1
38 – 31 Curt
41 – 20 curious george
41 – 28 GRM
41 – 31 Steve
42 – 28 JJ
42 – 17 Bstunna2002
42 – 14 klo
42 – 21 OldDiver
44 – 24 Tyaiea
44 – 28 DPK
45 – 17 al
45 – 13 bighilofan2
45 – 10 RedZone
45 – 03 Derek
49 – 14 Momo
49 – 28 Tchahng
49 – 21 WenatcheeWarrior
49 – 17 Glenn
49 – 17 Bigislandkurt
50 – 10 HNL
52 – 17 Michigan Warrior
52 – 27 Ballpicker
56 – 14 d1
56 – 13 Kekoa
70 – 21 Ipu Man
Pomai
UH 42 – 13
It’s time to reorganize the whole Football Conference and required all Teams to Stay Within
their Time Zone. Pacific Time Zone-PTZ Conference. Mountain Time Zone – MTZ Conference
Central Time Zone – CTZ Conference. Eastern Time Zone -ETZ Conference
———PTZ Conference————————————MTZ Conference————-
—Division A————-Division B———— ——-Division A——–Division B——-
1 califronia 1 ucla 1 boise st 1 idaho
2 usc 2 stanford 2 utah 2 utah st
3 oregon st 3 hawaii 3 byu 3 new mexico st
4 washington 4 arizona st 4 wyoming 4 colorado st
5 arizona 5 washington st 5 colorado 5 new mexico
6 fresno st 6 oregon 6 6
7 nevada 7 unlv
8 san jose st 8 san diego st
Aloha Friday everyone!
I ordered a wake up call this morning @ 1:00 AM for all LaTech players & coaches.
Just so they don’t get thrown off schedule from Louisanna time. Please don’t hate me for thinking of them first.
It’s all good when you know the PBX operater at the hosting hotel. :>
Good Morning Tsai-kos!
Is it game day yet?
GO WARRIORS!
How mad is it that this is Friday, the day before the WAC
football opener for UH with La Tech, and all BC on the radio
wants to yak about is baseball…
That and his zillions of commercials. Getting tired of BC fast…
Wish Robert Kekaula had a radio show or sports blog…
g’morning Tsaikos! :smi,le:
Happy Aloha Friday erryboddy!!
GO WAHINES!!!
Ipu Man – i agree. BC is all about BC. Listeners used to have another option when 1500am had a morning program i.e. Kanoa/Pops Leahey, Rob DeMello, etc. Their only ‘dead air’ was Portnoy. Kazz can attest to that.
IS IT SATURDAY, YET?!?
whooooooooooooooosh
OMG don’t even know how to do this right 🙂
First!
Wow duffer en whitey must be in seventh heaven, Ryder Cup is on espn all morning. LOL
If these newcomers – Montana, Tex-State, etc. are joining the WAC, and we are staying, we’d better DOMINATE the conference in football or we’re just pretenders.
UH athletic department – RELAX. You can always leave, but only once. Remember – you can never go back. Volleyball wahine need to be factored in and consulted in any decesions – they are the most successful program at UH.
? – these schools that demand travel substities – are they paying UH to travel to the mainland to play them?
Don’t be a hater – BC is still best on the radio in the isles. Good man – even if he is a NY Giants fan. Those commericails are 1420’s, not his. Blame the sales staff / producer.
1370 FOX has Dan Patrack and the Dannettes on after 9am – great sports talk and entertainment.
Give us more Artie Wilson!!
I’m tired of the Sports Animals on 1420. Gary has knowledge, but is stubborn and inflexible. Chris Hart is confusing and all-over-the place.
A voice and opinion that needs to be heard – where is Robert Kekaula when we want him on the radio or blog?
Please keep Portnoy away from a microphone!!!