Quotes about the 2008 schedule

HF said that the lone opening for 2008 has been filled:
"I'm waiting for the contract before I announce it." (HA)

HA Note: "It is expected to be a Division I-AA opponent and could be placed between the Aug. 30, 2008, opener at Florida and the Sept. 13 game at Oregon State."


The weird thing is that HSB seemed to get another response from HF about the final 2008 puka:
"I can't tell you who it is, but it is from a BCS conference." (HSB)


About how he will schedule a 1AA team each year, HF said:
"I'm going to play a I-AA every year. Take that for granted." (HA)


About playing 2 1AA teams this season, HF said:
"that's not our intent" to play more than one I-AA team during a season in future years." (HA)

Note: In fact, WAC policy is that none of their teams play more than a single 1AA team each season. HF and Konan were in charge of committees to enforce that policy, but I don't think they did much to punish UH...


About how they won't lose any pay-per-view revenue by not having a 13th game, HF said:
"Our pay-per-view wouldn't have been affected because the (13th) game would have been taken by ESPN. It doesn't affect us at all." (HSB)

Note: So, according to this spin it doesn't affect UH that they don't have another nationally televised game (recruiting?), we shouldn't think about the money from increased season ticket sales if a top-tier opponent was on the schedule, we shouldn't think that it hurts UH's BCS chances...we should just be happy that it won't affect us at all for pay-per-view.


It looks like UH's need for 2007 opponents has enabled Washington to cash in just like UNC and CSU did, as the HA Notes:
"The contract for UH's regular-season finale against Washington Dec. 1, 2007, at Aloha Stadium has been concluded. It calls for UH to play a Sept. 10, 2011, return game at Seattle, UH said. The Huskies will receive a $350,000 guarantee for the game, one of the largest cash payments made by UH to an opponent. UH has traditionally offered opponents the choice of cash or a package that includes airfare, lodging, cash and tickets. The Huskies chose cash, and the contract calls for them to receive $50,000 more than cross-state rival Washington State will receive for its Nov. 29, 2008, appearance at Aloha Stadium. Wisconsin is contracted to receive $265,000 for its 2009 appearance."


Two HSB Notes that were good news from HF:
"The department is still working on a parking plan that would ease traffic concerns at Aloha Stadium. Some of the parking lots -- including lower Halawa -- will open earlier at 3:30 p.m. There is still discussion about suspending the swap meet on game days.

The home-and-away series with Colorado in football is nearly finalized. There are four games scheduled, two in Honolulu and two in Boulder, likely for 2009-10 and 2012-13."