UH coaches would like UH to move from the WAC to the Big West

HSA Note: "A majority of University of Hawaii coaches are currently in favor of joining the Big West Conference rather than remaining in the Western Athletic Conference, some of them said yesterday. "I haven't met a coach yet who prefers staying (in the WAC)," said a coach who asked to remain anonymous because they have been cautioned not to speak for the athletic department or school. Some coaches say they have begun to tell prospective recruits UH is likely to be in the Big West in two years."


HSA Note: "After discussing the situation with coaches last month, athletic director Jim Donovan asked them to prioritize in memos where they would like to see their programs compete.


One UH coach said:
"Everybody I've talked to said they preferred the Big West. And I've talked to almost everybody." (HSA)


Another UH coach said:
"As much as we are loyal to the WAC, we want what is best for our programs and the athletes, and, at this point in time, that is the Big West. That could change, but right now it is the Big West." (HSA)


About how they understand that what it best for the football program will drive UH's decision, a prominent UH coach said:
"We understand that." (HSA)


HSA Note: "UH's most decorated coach, Dave Shoji of Rainbow Wahine volleyball, acknowledged in an interview with KKEA, 1420-AM radio earlier this week that his "secret desire" has been to "go back to the Big West." "


A Big West athletic director in the Big West said:
"I'm just one voice in the Big West Conference, but if Hawaii was interested in joining there would certainly be a lot of support if all the travel budgets could be reasonably worked out in advance." " (HSA)


The Big West AD said that UH moving to the Big West:
"would probably save (Hawaii) a lot of travel expense money by maintaining league travel competition in the state of California." (HSA)


About the Big West, a UH coach said:
"from a money, competition and recruiting standpoint, the Big West makes the most sense for most of our sports." (HSA)


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