MWC coaches express concern over traveling to Hawaii

Concerned about the travel to Hawaii, SDSU coach Rocky Long said:
"Travel is a concern of mine, especially when we have to go there.": (HSA)


About how it is tough to travel to Hawaii and play, Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild said:
"It is always a tough road game to have to go over to Honolulu and play." (HSA)


About how traveling to Hawaii erally hurts a team the following week, Fairchild said:
"Obviously the travel is an issue. It is more of an issue, I have always felt, the next week. You just don't want to make that trip back (effect) your preparation and the way you practice for the following game." (HSA)


HSA Note: "In an attempt to soothe coaches' concerns and as a condition of football-only membership for 2012, UH has agreed to pay $150,000-$175,000 in travel costs for each MWC visitor. Opponents from the Pacific time zone would receive $150,000 while Mountain time zone foes would get $175,000 under terms of the contract. The figure may be renegotiated annually if flight costs change per a mutually agreed upon index.

As a term of membership in the Big West for most sports other than football, UH will pay travel subsidies but the amount will be about $500 a head in the official travel parties. For example, UH will pay for 32 in baseball, 19 in men's basketball and 21 in women's basketball."


Looking forward to resuming their series with UH (they haven't played each other since 1997), Fairchild said:
"I think back, not only as a player but as an assistant (coach) here, and some of the good teams they (the Warriors) have had over there with coach (Dick) Tomey and so forth. I think they'll be a nice addition to the MWC." (HSA)


About how UH benefits the MWC, Long said:
"I think Hawaii adds to our league like all the teams coming into our conference." (HSA)


About how he thinks being able to go to Hawaii is a good experience for his players, Air Fore coach Troy Calhoun said:
"I think it (playing in Hawaii) is one of the magnificent experiences that we're able to share educationally with (the players). Being able to go to Pearl Harbor, I always thought, it was a real plus to go play over there." (HSA)

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