UH Not Rushing To Leave WAC
Friday - October 06, 2010
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Del.icio.usThe posturing between the WAC and its two most recent defectors, Nevada and Fresno State, has temporarily ended. The conference is expecting the two schools to remain members through the 2011-‘12 season, although they want out after this year. But as soon as the WAC filed suit, everyone involved dialed down the rhetoric, and it looks like this will be settled in court.
There’s also that little matter of the $5 million exit fee. That too will require a judge’s decision. So much for collegiality.
While things have settled for now on the conference landscape, it may be just the eye of the storm. It’s extremely unlikely the Big 12 has a long-term future in its present incarnation, and the Big East is generating rumors of possible changes.
The University of Hawaii is smart not to leap into a change just yet, especially with other situations in flux.
One rivalry that will be missed is the one with Fresno State. Playing Pat Hill and the Bulldogs every year has provided some terrific moments and lots of dramatic tension. It is not impossible that UH could continue playing Fresno State on a non-conference basis.
It is also being privately admitted that travel subsidies will have to be discussed in any new situation of which UH might become a part.
In a related bit of good news, ESPN Regionals’ agreement to extend the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl is a hopeful sign that the Warriors might be able to have a future with the network. Any help from that quarter will be a great boon to Hawaii’s future success.
There was a time in the not-too-distant past that Mondays during football season were an occasion for complaints about the Aloha Stadium experience. Everything from bag searches to water bottle caps, from parking to ti leaves were sources of complaint.
It’s time to commend Scott Chan and his staff for the dramatic improvements that have led to much more pleasant Saturdays in Halawa. It has not been an accident - there’s been a complete turnaround in the receptiveness to customer feedback, and he vows it will continue.
If you’re one of those who got put off years ago by the hassles of attending games at the stadium, it’s time to give it another try. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
It was a sad note last week when Cal announced it was dropping its baseball program after this year along with three other sports.
When Les Murakami was the Rainbow coach and Bob Milano was the skipper for the Bears, the schools played many times and at both campuses. Back in the day, because the staff got along so well, there were many after-game get-togethers where the baseball talk went well into the night.
It’s a sign of the economic times and not a happy one that we won’t get to see Bears baseball ever again.
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