UH tries to figure out its future after Fresno State and Nevada leave the WAC

After Fresno State and Nevada decided to leave the WAC, Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji said:
"What do we do now?" (HSA)


HSA Note: "The loss, coupled with the announced departure of Boise State in June, could leave the WAC with six members -- two below the minimum to qualify for NCAA Division I automatic playoff berths in all sports except football -- in 2012 unless additional teams are added. Boise is scheduled to join the MWC in 2011 and it was uncertain if Fresno and Nevada will go in 2011 or '12."


About the loss of Fresno State and Nevada, JD said:
"It is devastating. There's no positive spin I can put on this in the short term. We're going to look at our options and move forward." (HSA)


HSA Note: "But Donovan acknowledged there are "no ongoing" talks with any other conferences. He said inquiries to the Pac-10 have brought no interest. MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said yesterday, "Hawaii has been part of the conversation in the past" but suggested there may be no need to add an additional team to reach 12."


About how the day started with the prospect of the WAC getting BYU for non-football sports and ended with the loss of Fresno State and Nevada, JD said:
"It was a 180-degree turn. It was like you're going in for a touchdown and throw an interception at the goal line and the other team returns it for a touchdown." (HSA)


Seeming to back away from its flirtation with the WAC, a BYU spokesman said:
"We are aware of the many media reports and questions circulating about BYU's conference alignment. As Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe explained recently, BYU has been reviewing, and will continue to explore, every option to advance its athletic program. At this point, BYU has no further comment." (HSA)


HSA Note: "When Boise State grew closer to the MWC in June, sources say Benson went back to several former WAC members, reportedly including Texas-El Paso, San Diego State and Nevada-Las Vegas inquiring about their interest in rejoining the WAC. And when the Pac-10 took BYU's rival, Utah, instead of the Cougars and the Big 12 passed as well, Benson reportedly took an "action plan" to the WAC Board of Directors built around BYU and discussions with ESPN. Utah State President Stan Albrecht is said to have been the go-between. When BYU came back to the WAC and asked for guarantees in terms of a minimum number of games for its football team and other considerations, the WAC readily agreed. BYU is said to have sought annual games with UH and Utah State to help fill out its football schedule. Based upon BYU's interest, Benson went back to the WAC Board of Directors this month and sought a "solidarity pact" with members pledging to remain in the conference despite expected MWC overtures. A $5 million per school price was established as a "penalty" and at least six of the eight schools (Boise State was not included) signed on per WAC policy."


About how the MWC will help Fresno State and Nevada with their buyout clauses, MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said:
"We're not gonna bankrupt [the incoming teams]." (HSA)


JD said that there is a possibility that the WAC might sue Fresno State and Nevada:
"because there may be legal ramifications ... there are issues out there." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Donovan suggested UH, which has been running an annual deficit of approximately $2 million and an accumulated net deficit of $10 million, could take an additional financial beating from the latest changes. He said securing teams to fill out football and basketball pukas left by the departures could involve costly guarantees."


About how this will make their financial situation difficult, JD said:
"This is fiscal year 2011 and I thought we could be breaking even in fiscal year 2012 before this happened, so this is a huge curveball in terms of the financial expenses we might face. There's nothing we can do about our geography; we're not going to get any closer to the (continent)." (HSA)


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