HSB Note: "In all, 1,035 leftover tickets to the Bowl Championship Series game cost the university $129,375, or $125 each, UH associate athletic director Carl Clapp said yesterday. The Athletic Department originally underestimated demand for the game, taking only 13,500 of its allotment of 17,500 tickets. The remaining 4,000 tickets were made available to University of Georgia fans. The decision enraged many Warrior fans who were unable to buy tickets. At the time, the Louisiana Superdome, which had sold out its Sugar Bowl tickets, referred fans to a Ticketmaster Web site where tickets cost between $256 and $881.
University of Hawaii officials eventually scrambled to secure an additional 1,866 tickets from the Sugar Bowl and other sources to accommodate fans left empty-handed. Clapp could not immediately recall yesterday when that final batch of tickets was put out for the general public, but he said the school was reminding people that there were tickets "even as we got into Dec. 15th to the 20th." However, he acknowledged that extra tickets may have become available too late for some fans to book airfare and hotel rooms in the Big Easy during the busy holiday season. Also, others might have gotten tickets from scalpers or on the Internet, Clapp noted."
Clapp said that UH football players and staff received 1300 tickets, all of which were:
"accounted for and used. We were looking everywhere for tickets to try and meet the perceived demand." (HSB)
About HF giving back 4000 tickets, Kent Untermann said:
"They were too conservative. Had they taken their original allotment and managed it properly, I'm sure they would have sold out." (HSB)
Clapp said that in future high-profile games, UH would gauge ticket interest with a fan survey or:
"something that might give us information about what the demand level might be for a particular event like that. Everything was kind of a first time," he said. "There are certainly some things we can learn going forward." (HSB)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Colt signs a 4-year, $1.8 mil deal with Washington
About signing his contract, Colt said:
"It feels great to sign." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan said he signed a standard four-year contract, with a first-year base salary of $295,000, if he makes the team. He said he will receive a signing bonus of $96,800, which is in the ballpark for the 20th selection of the sixth round. Defensive end Michael Gibson, who was selected by Philadelphia two spots ahead of Brennan, received a signing bonus of $98,000. Defensive end Christopher Harrington, who was selected by Arizona one pick ahead of Brennan, received a signing bonus of $73,000. But Harrington's contract is for three years."
HA Note: "Brennan also could earn an additional $650,000 if he is with the Redskins for a fourth season. The minimum fourth-year salary for a player entering the league in 2008 is $550,000. But Brennan, like most drafted rookies, is believed to have an escalator clause, which would pay him $1.2 million as a fourth-year player in 2011, according to an agent familiar with NFL contracts. Brennan said he has been told the Redskins would be open to renegotiations if he does well in his first three years."
About being medically cleared to participate in all drills during training camp, Colt said:
"I'm happy to be healthy and ready to play." (HA)
"It's not about the injury anymore. It's just about being back in shape and getting a chance to go out there on the same level as everybody else and competing." (HSB)
HA Note: "Still rated a high draft pick after the 2007 regular season, Brennan's stock dropped after the 41-10 loss to Georgia in which he threw three interceptions and after he weighed only 185 pounds at the Senior Bowl."
Happy to be healthy and have his contract done, Colt said:
"I'm more so glad that I got cleared medically and I'm allowed to go out there on Sunday and start working out a hundred percent. I've got nothing holding me back and I got my contract done, and I'm just glad to get back in the swing of things." (HSB)
HA Note: "With only four quarterbacks currently listed on the roster, Brennan's competition for the No. 3 spot will be Derek Devine, a 6-foot-3, 222-pound quarterback from Marshall. The Redskins signed Devine as a free agent in May. Undrafted, Devine originally signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2007 but was released before the season. Last week, the Redskins released quarterback Sam Hollenbach, a former Maryland standout who was on the Redskins' 53-man roster for the team's final three games, including one playoff game. Hollenbach had served as the third quarterback in all three games."
About signing a standard rookie contract, colt said:
"I knew going into this whole situation that I was getting a standard deal for a sixth-round pick, and that was great with me." (HSB)
Colt said that his agents Bruce and Ryan Tollner:
"tried everything to make it as best as possible for me, and I think everybody's happy with everything that worked out." (HSB)
About working out hard in Washington, Colt said:
"I'm here last week and all this week just running and lifting hard and trying to get back in shape and get ready for Sunday. I've got a clear bill of health, and I've got to go out there and prove myself. For me it's about getting in shape and getting back to using my legs and firing a bunch of muscles I haven't fired in a long time." (HSB)
About Colt, Joshua Miyazawa's father Jeff said:
"Colt is even nicer than we had imagined. He always came across as a humble guy, but watching him with Josh, he was like just one of the boys." (HA)
"It was neat to see. Colt was very engaging with Josh." (HA)
HA Note: "Joshua, who underwent open-heart surgery in May to patch a hole in his atrial wall, zeroed in on the star QB during last season's home games against Boise State and Washington. In an interview with The Advertiser last month, Joshua called Brennan his favorite athlete.
Brennan, who is in D.C. preparing for his first season with the Washington Redskins, became a fan of Miyazawa after hearing about the young athlete's quick rebound from surgery and his selection to represent Hawai'i at the prestigious White House game.
And so, just hours after signing a four-year, $1.8 million rookie contract with the Redskins, Brennan and girlfriend Shakti Stream celebrated with a lunchtime meeting with Joshua and his family at the historic Old Ebbets Grill in downtown Washington."
About spending part of yesterday meeting with the Miyazawa family, Colt said:
"They're a fun family. It was a great experience. It was a privilege for me to meet him. It was awesome to hear his story." (HA)
"I got to meet a great family, and it was great to see some Hawaii people and just have fun and hang out." (HSB)
HA Note: "Though a bit shy at first, it didn't take Joshua long to warm up to his gridiron idol. By the time the two said their so-longs, three hours had flown by."
"It feels great to sign." (HA)
HA Note: "Brennan said he signed a standard four-year contract, with a first-year base salary of $295,000, if he makes the team. He said he will receive a signing bonus of $96,800, which is in the ballpark for the 20th selection of the sixth round. Defensive end Michael Gibson, who was selected by Philadelphia two spots ahead of Brennan, received a signing bonus of $98,000. Defensive end Christopher Harrington, who was selected by Arizona one pick ahead of Brennan, received a signing bonus of $73,000. But Harrington's contract is for three years."
HA Note: "Brennan also could earn an additional $650,000 if he is with the Redskins for a fourth season. The minimum fourth-year salary for a player entering the league in 2008 is $550,000. But Brennan, like most drafted rookies, is believed to have an escalator clause, which would pay him $1.2 million as a fourth-year player in 2011, according to an agent familiar with NFL contracts. Brennan said he has been told the Redskins would be open to renegotiations if he does well in his first three years."
About being medically cleared to participate in all drills during training camp, Colt said:
"I'm happy to be healthy and ready to play." (HA)
"It's not about the injury anymore. It's just about being back in shape and getting a chance to go out there on the same level as everybody else and competing." (HSB)
HA Note: "Still rated a high draft pick after the 2007 regular season, Brennan's stock dropped after the 41-10 loss to Georgia in which he threw three interceptions and after he weighed only 185 pounds at the Senior Bowl."
Happy to be healthy and have his contract done, Colt said:
"I'm more so glad that I got cleared medically and I'm allowed to go out there on Sunday and start working out a hundred percent. I've got nothing holding me back and I got my contract done, and I'm just glad to get back in the swing of things." (HSB)
HA Note: "With only four quarterbacks currently listed on the roster, Brennan's competition for the No. 3 spot will be Derek Devine, a 6-foot-3, 222-pound quarterback from Marshall. The Redskins signed Devine as a free agent in May. Undrafted, Devine originally signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2007 but was released before the season. Last week, the Redskins released quarterback Sam Hollenbach, a former Maryland standout who was on the Redskins' 53-man roster for the team's final three games, including one playoff game. Hollenbach had served as the third quarterback in all three games."
About signing a standard rookie contract, colt said:
"I knew going into this whole situation that I was getting a standard deal for a sixth-round pick, and that was great with me." (HSB)
Colt said that his agents Bruce and Ryan Tollner:
"tried everything to make it as best as possible for me, and I think everybody's happy with everything that worked out." (HSB)
About working out hard in Washington, Colt said:
"I'm here last week and all this week just running and lifting hard and trying to get back in shape and get ready for Sunday. I've got a clear bill of health, and I've got to go out there and prove myself. For me it's about getting in shape and getting back to using my legs and firing a bunch of muscles I haven't fired in a long time." (HSB)
About Colt, Joshua Miyazawa's father Jeff said:
"Colt is even nicer than we had imagined. He always came across as a humble guy, but watching him with Josh, he was like just one of the boys." (HA)
"It was neat to see. Colt was very engaging with Josh." (HA)
HA Note: "Joshua, who underwent open-heart surgery in May to patch a hole in his atrial wall, zeroed in on the star QB during last season's home games against Boise State and Washington. In an interview with The Advertiser last month, Joshua called Brennan his favorite athlete.
Brennan, who is in D.C. preparing for his first season with the Washington Redskins, became a fan of Miyazawa after hearing about the young athlete's quick rebound from surgery and his selection to represent Hawai'i at the prestigious White House game.
And so, just hours after signing a four-year, $1.8 million rookie contract with the Redskins, Brennan and girlfriend Shakti Stream celebrated with a lunchtime meeting with Joshua and his family at the historic Old Ebbets Grill in downtown Washington."
About spending part of yesterday meeting with the Miyazawa family, Colt said:
"They're a fun family. It was a great experience. It was a privilege for me to meet him. It was awesome to hear his story." (HA)
"I got to meet a great family, and it was great to see some Hawaii people and just have fun and hang out." (HSB)
HA Note: "Though a bit shy at first, it didn't take Joshua long to warm up to his gridiron idol. By the time the two said their so-longs, three hours had flown by."
Monday, July 14, 2008
UH internally disagreed on the ethics of paying for girlfriends and kids to go to the Sugar Bowl
About how it was necessary to take family members to the Sugar Bowl, Chancellor Hinshaw said:
"I think it was highly appropriate to take those folks there. This is the bowl culture. We just want to be sure it fits Hawaii." (HSB)
HSB Note: "University of Hawaii President David McClain and Chief Financial Officer Howard Todo disagreed with the UH-Manoa administration over how to pay for the people who went to New Orleans at UH expense but served no official state function, e-mails obtained by the Star-Bulletin show."
HSB Note: "Hundreds of pages of e-mails and documents, released to the Star-Bulletin in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, show McClain and Todo questioned whether it was appropriate to pay for family travel with university money. The e-mails also show the Manoa administration originally planned to pay for unofficial travel with UH Foundation money and then have the Western Athletic Conference reimburse the foundation from Sugar Bowl proceeds."
In a March 18 e-mail, Todo said that McClain objected to reimbursing the foundation because it:
"could be seen as deliberately attempting to circumvent the rules." (HSB)
About paying for girlfriends and family members who aren't on state business, Todo wrote:
"There is a valid argument that can be made that the Sugar Bowl proceeds should go to the Athletics Revolving Fund, which is a state fund. Then the question is whether it is appropriate to use state funds to send family of staff, coaches and players, and regents, non-athletics Manoa people, and UH Foundation people and even a booster to a football game." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Mollway said he told the UH-Manoa administrators that normally the state does not pay for spouses, but there have been rare exceptions, and any expenditure of state funds would have to be for a legitimate state purpose. Hinshaw, Mollway said, told him that the university had to put together a "tremendous delegation to show their support because if they didn't it would affect them down the road." In hindsight, Hinshaw said in an interview Friday morning, they probably should have had a deeper discussion of the issues raised by family travel."
About how they should have closer examined the ethical issues before the Sugar Bowl, Hinshaw said:
"We certainly didn't cover everything under the sun. These are complex issues. They are not just cut and dry, black and white." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The UH Foundation did pay about $13,733 for per diem expenses of some family members and UH guests and for some costs of receptions and gifts, UH Foundation Chief Financial Officer Bill King said. Ahahui Koa Anuenue, the athletic booster organization, also paid for the travel of three family members, King said. Those family members were identified in university e-mails and documents as the daughter and grandchildren of football defensive coach Greg McMackin. The Koa Anuenue board approved the payments, King said. The foundation is not being reimbursed with Sugar Bowl funds, King emphasized."
About paying for family members of coaches, Hinshaw said:
"Bowl practice is to keep the families together." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The materials released by the university do not include e-mails and records in former athletic director Frazier's UH account. Those e-mails no longer exist, UH attorneys said. The documents also do not include e-mails from UH attorneys, which were withheld because of attorney-client privilege. The e-mails also indicate there was some miscommunication between the Manoa administration, the UH system and the foundation in the hectic days in December when UH-Manoa was trying to figure out the details of how to send 569 people to the Sugar Bowl and how to pay for it. Not until late February, when the bills started coming due, did Todo, McClain and the UH Foundation realize that UH-Manoa was still planning to reimburse the foundation with Sugar Bowl money, the e-mails show. And UH-Manoa administrators apparently did not know about McClain's objections and concerns about using university money to pay for family travel."
About the Sugar Bowl, Hinshaw said:
"It built a sense of awareness and pride." (HSB)
"I think it was highly appropriate to take those folks there. This is the bowl culture. We just want to be sure it fits Hawaii." (HSB)
HSB Note: "University of Hawaii President David McClain and Chief Financial Officer Howard Todo disagreed with the UH-Manoa administration over how to pay for the people who went to New Orleans at UH expense but served no official state function, e-mails obtained by the Star-Bulletin show."
HSB Note: "Hundreds of pages of e-mails and documents, released to the Star-Bulletin in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, show McClain and Todo questioned whether it was appropriate to pay for family travel with university money. The e-mails also show the Manoa administration originally planned to pay for unofficial travel with UH Foundation money and then have the Western Athletic Conference reimburse the foundation from Sugar Bowl proceeds."
In a March 18 e-mail, Todo said that McClain objected to reimbursing the foundation because it:
"could be seen as deliberately attempting to circumvent the rules." (HSB)
About paying for girlfriends and family members who aren't on state business, Todo wrote:
"There is a valid argument that can be made that the Sugar Bowl proceeds should go to the Athletics Revolving Fund, which is a state fund. Then the question is whether it is appropriate to use state funds to send family of staff, coaches and players, and regents, non-athletics Manoa people, and UH Foundation people and even a booster to a football game." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Mollway said he told the UH-Manoa administrators that normally the state does not pay for spouses, but there have been rare exceptions, and any expenditure of state funds would have to be for a legitimate state purpose. Hinshaw, Mollway said, told him that the university had to put together a "tremendous delegation to show their support because if they didn't it would affect them down the road." In hindsight, Hinshaw said in an interview Friday morning, they probably should have had a deeper discussion of the issues raised by family travel."
About how they should have closer examined the ethical issues before the Sugar Bowl, Hinshaw said:
"We certainly didn't cover everything under the sun. These are complex issues. They are not just cut and dry, black and white." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The UH Foundation did pay about $13,733 for per diem expenses of some family members and UH guests and for some costs of receptions and gifts, UH Foundation Chief Financial Officer Bill King said. Ahahui Koa Anuenue, the athletic booster organization, also paid for the travel of three family members, King said. Those family members were identified in university e-mails and documents as the daughter and grandchildren of football defensive coach Greg McMackin. The Koa Anuenue board approved the payments, King said. The foundation is not being reimbursed with Sugar Bowl funds, King emphasized."
About paying for family members of coaches, Hinshaw said:
"Bowl practice is to keep the families together." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The materials released by the university do not include e-mails and records in former athletic director Frazier's UH account. Those e-mails no longer exist, UH attorneys said. The documents also do not include e-mails from UH attorneys, which were withheld because of attorney-client privilege. The e-mails also indicate there was some miscommunication between the Manoa administration, the UH system and the foundation in the hectic days in December when UH-Manoa was trying to figure out the details of how to send 569 people to the Sugar Bowl and how to pay for it. Not until late February, when the bills started coming due, did Todo, McClain and the UH Foundation realize that UH-Manoa was still planning to reimburse the foundation with Sugar Bowl money, the e-mails show. And UH-Manoa administrators apparently did not know about McClain's objections and concerns about using university money to pay for family travel."
About the Sugar Bowl, Hinshaw said:
"It built a sense of awareness and pride." (HSB)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
More possible ethic violations regarding the Sugar Bowl?
HSB Note: "In a potential violation of state ethics laws, a top aide to Gov. Linda Lingle helped a large contributor to Lingle's 2002 election campaign buy hard-to-get Sugar Bowl tickets using governor's office resources, e-mails obtained by the Star-Bulletin show. But Lenny Klompus, Lingle's senior adviser, wasn't the only official using his position and state government resources to try to buy tickets after the University of Hawaii sold out of its initial allotment of tickets on Dec. 4.
UH records also show that state Sen. Shan Tsutsui, vice chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for the university's budget in the Legislature, asked UH-West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni and UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw for Sugar Bowl tickets and two rooms from the university's allotment of hotel rooms at the New Orleans Marriott. He asked to buy the tickets and pay for the rooms.
Klompus also e-mailed former athletic director Herman Frazier and associate athletic director John McNamara on Dec. 5 to ask about the availability of tickets on behalf of two Cabinet members -- Attorney General Mark Bennett and Civil Defense Director Maj. Gen. Robert Lee. An e-mail sent from Klompus' office on Dec. 15 asked the UH-Manoa chancellor's office to buy two tickets for former Haseko Construction Co. executive Kenneth Choate and his wife Donna."
About how the Hawaii State Ethics Commission will examine the distribution of Sugar Bowl tickets to state officials, Commission Executive Director Dan Mollway said:
"There's a question of fairness. If you're basically using your official position to get special access to tickets that a member of the public wouldn't, we would see that as a violation (of state ethics laws)." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In a frenzy following the announcement that UH would go to the Sugar Bowl, the university sold out of its initial allotment of 8,500 tickets for the public. More than 350 season-ticket holders were put on a waiting list and ticket scalpers were getting up to $350 for good seats with a face value of $125."
About his request for tickets (he also added that he may have spoken verbally to UH administrators), Klompus said:
"We made it absolutely clear that if tickets were available at the end of the day, then it would be great if we would be able to purchase them. We would never, ever take a ticket away from anyone else." (HSB)
About his ticket request, Tsutsui (a season-ticket holder) said:
"I just asked if it was possible. If they told me I needed to do it in a different way, then I would have done it in a different way." (HSB)
About the request for tickets for him, Bennett said:
"I didn't ask for a favor. I asked whether there were tickets available for sale and ultimately I didn't do anything." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The attorney general said he and his wife were thinking about going to the game in New Orleans, but decided against it."
HSB Note: 'Mollway noted that the Ethics Commission is also looking into whether the university acted appropriately in paying for travel for spouses and children to the Sugar Bowl. Depending on the issues raised, Mollway said the attorney general's office might be called to give a legal opinion."
Lee said that he and his son attended the game, but got:
"no special price, no special seats. I'm not a season-ticket holder, but I lucked out." (HSB)
HSB Note: "UH records show the Choates, Lee and Tsutsui were put on the list of Hinshaw's official delegation with UH regents and major donors to the university seated on the lower level around the 40- or 50-yard line of the Superdome."
HSB Note: "Mollway, who said he could only speak generally on ethics issues and not about specific cases, noted that in making a request, especially if a state official is using government e-mails, there needs to be a legitimate state purpose."
About state officials using their government e-mail addresses to request tickets, Mollway said:
"If someone is simply asking for something when there's no state purpose involved, by making that request an issue is raised." (HSB)
UH records also show that state Sen. Shan Tsutsui, vice chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for the university's budget in the Legislature, asked UH-West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni and UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw for Sugar Bowl tickets and two rooms from the university's allotment of hotel rooms at the New Orleans Marriott. He asked to buy the tickets and pay for the rooms.
Klompus also e-mailed former athletic director Herman Frazier and associate athletic director John McNamara on Dec. 5 to ask about the availability of tickets on behalf of two Cabinet members -- Attorney General Mark Bennett and Civil Defense Director Maj. Gen. Robert Lee. An e-mail sent from Klompus' office on Dec. 15 asked the UH-Manoa chancellor's office to buy two tickets for former Haseko Construction Co. executive Kenneth Choate and his wife Donna."
About how the Hawaii State Ethics Commission will examine the distribution of Sugar Bowl tickets to state officials, Commission Executive Director Dan Mollway said:
"There's a question of fairness. If you're basically using your official position to get special access to tickets that a member of the public wouldn't, we would see that as a violation (of state ethics laws)." (HSB)
HSB Note: "In a frenzy following the announcement that UH would go to the Sugar Bowl, the university sold out of its initial allotment of 8,500 tickets for the public. More than 350 season-ticket holders were put on a waiting list and ticket scalpers were getting up to $350 for good seats with a face value of $125."
About his request for tickets (he also added that he may have spoken verbally to UH administrators), Klompus said:
"We made it absolutely clear that if tickets were available at the end of the day, then it would be great if we would be able to purchase them. We would never, ever take a ticket away from anyone else." (HSB)
About his ticket request, Tsutsui (a season-ticket holder) said:
"I just asked if it was possible. If they told me I needed to do it in a different way, then I would have done it in a different way." (HSB)
About the request for tickets for him, Bennett said:
"I didn't ask for a favor. I asked whether there were tickets available for sale and ultimately I didn't do anything." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The attorney general said he and his wife were thinking about going to the game in New Orleans, but decided against it."
HSB Note: 'Mollway noted that the Ethics Commission is also looking into whether the university acted appropriately in paying for travel for spouses and children to the Sugar Bowl. Depending on the issues raised, Mollway said the attorney general's office might be called to give a legal opinion."
Lee said that he and his son attended the game, but got:
"no special price, no special seats. I'm not a season-ticket holder, but I lucked out." (HSB)
HSB Note: "UH records show the Choates, Lee and Tsutsui were put on the list of Hinshaw's official delegation with UH regents and major donors to the university seated on the lower level around the 40- or 50-yard line of the Superdome."
HSB Note: "Mollway, who said he could only speak generally on ethics issues and not about specific cases, noted that in making a request, especially if a state official is using government e-mails, there needs to be a legitimate state purpose."
About state officials using their government e-mail addresses to request tickets, Mollway said:
"If someone is simply asking for something when there's no state purpose involved, by making that request an issue is raised." (HSB)
Feature on John Estes
About how Estes seemed to be healthy when they worked out together earlier this summer, Willie Tuitama (Arizona's starting QB and Estes' friend and former high school teammate) said:
"A bunch of us (from St. Mary's), we worked out, ran, it was like being in high school again, in a way. John seemed fine. We were going through normal everyday workouts. There wasn't really anything that made him stop or slow down." (HSB)
About Estes, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"John's a kid who really has a passion for the game and is always playing, so I know he really didn't like sitting out of practice. With our whole line, everyone's excited about Florida and getting a chance to show what they can do." (HSB)
About the Sugar Bowl, Estes said:
"That was kind of discouraging for a while just because you never want to lose, but I was just really disappointed how the offense played. That's just one thing that's been in my mind, and with Coach (June) Jones leaving and everything, it's gotta be the worst." (HSB)
Looking forward to the Florida game, Estes said:
"We just gotta hang in there. Things can happen against us and we just gotta stay close with the teams we're playing. The Sugar Bowl was very relevant for us returning (players) because that's how it's going to be in Florida. It might be even louder, so we just gotta look at everything that went wrong in the Sugar Bowl and just turn that into something we're ready for." (HSB)
About how the Sugar Bowl loss bothered Estes, Tuitama said:
"He talked about it a lot, just because Georgia and Florida, it's somewhat the same type of defensive linemen - you've got big guys with speed. He wanted to come out just to show everyone that he could hang with anyone. But that's how John always was. ... I remember in high school, when we were going against one of the teams with the best D-line on paper, he would take it as a personal challenge." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The two helped lead St. Mary's to the Division I sectional championship their senior season, and they can count on one hand the number of games they lost over their entire prep careers."
About how Estes is protective of his QBs, Tuitama said:
"He doesn't like when his quarterback gets hit at all. I remember in high school there were a couple times I got hit and he came and pushed the other guy off, this and that, starting jawing with them. That's just how John is." (HSB)
About the importance of Estes being healthe, Brian Smith said:
"It's extremely important (to have him back fully healthy). Like we all saw, the difference on the line vs. when he's not, there's a lot more confidence in the group, so the level of play was raised when he was in vs. when he wasn't." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Estes is looking forward to returning to the islands early next week, and rejoining his Warrior teammates for camaraderie and preparation. When he thinks back, it's funny how he went to Hawaii (where he has extended family) and Tuitama ended up at Arizona after they wrapped up high school in 2005."
About how Tuitama went to Arizona and he went to UH, Estes said:
"He was (drawn) to Hawaii, because his parents are from Hawaii. I was a big Arizona fan, because I had two cousins who played for Arizona. It was weird that we went to each other's schools." (HSB)
Hoping that he and Estes could be NFL teammates someday, Tuitama said:
"Maybe me and John will be on the same team again. You never know." (HSB)
"A bunch of us (from St. Mary's), we worked out, ran, it was like being in high school again, in a way. John seemed fine. We were going through normal everyday workouts. There wasn't really anything that made him stop or slow down." (HSB)
About Estes, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"John's a kid who really has a passion for the game and is always playing, so I know he really didn't like sitting out of practice. With our whole line, everyone's excited about Florida and getting a chance to show what they can do." (HSB)
About the Sugar Bowl, Estes said:
"That was kind of discouraging for a while just because you never want to lose, but I was just really disappointed how the offense played. That's just one thing that's been in my mind, and with Coach (June) Jones leaving and everything, it's gotta be the worst." (HSB)
Looking forward to the Florida game, Estes said:
"We just gotta hang in there. Things can happen against us and we just gotta stay close with the teams we're playing. The Sugar Bowl was very relevant for us returning (players) because that's how it's going to be in Florida. It might be even louder, so we just gotta look at everything that went wrong in the Sugar Bowl and just turn that into something we're ready for." (HSB)
About how the Sugar Bowl loss bothered Estes, Tuitama said:
"He talked about it a lot, just because Georgia and Florida, it's somewhat the same type of defensive linemen - you've got big guys with speed. He wanted to come out just to show everyone that he could hang with anyone. But that's how John always was. ... I remember in high school, when we were going against one of the teams with the best D-line on paper, he would take it as a personal challenge." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The two helped lead St. Mary's to the Division I sectional championship their senior season, and they can count on one hand the number of games they lost over their entire prep careers."
About how Estes is protective of his QBs, Tuitama said:
"He doesn't like when his quarterback gets hit at all. I remember in high school there were a couple times I got hit and he came and pushed the other guy off, this and that, starting jawing with them. That's just how John is." (HSB)
About the importance of Estes being healthe, Brian Smith said:
"It's extremely important (to have him back fully healthy). Like we all saw, the difference on the line vs. when he's not, there's a lot more confidence in the group, so the level of play was raised when he was in vs. when he wasn't." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Estes is looking forward to returning to the islands early next week, and rejoining his Warrior teammates for camaraderie and preparation. When he thinks back, it's funny how he went to Hawaii (where he has extended family) and Tuitama ended up at Arizona after they wrapped up high school in 2005."
About how Tuitama went to Arizona and he went to UH, Estes said:
"He was (drawn) to Hawaii, because his parents are from Hawaii. I was a big Arizona fan, because I had two cousins who played for Arizona. It was weird that we went to each other's schools." (HSB)
Hoping that he and Estes could be NFL teammates someday, Tuitama said:
"Maybe me and John will be on the same team again. You never know." (HSB)
Travel costs hurting UH's bottom line and scheduling
About how he checks the price of oil each day, JD said:
"I check it every day, as a matter of fact. I have 100 shares of Chevron, but that is not why I check it." (HA)
HA Note: "Instead the reasons lay at the core of UH's bottom line, where the Warriors have been staring at travel costs that have doubled in less than a year. When oil prices reached $140 a barrel three weeks ago, UH officials say what had been a $400-$425 airline ticket to the West Coast for each player on one of its teams last year became an $800-$850 fare for the same flight this year.
Fuel that was $52 a barrel in January 2007 hit an all-time high of $147.27 a barrel in trading Friday before settling at $145.08, numbers that underline — for a school that puts all 19 of its teams on planes each year, some of which regularly log 30,000 miles per season — just how precariously perched UH is."
About how UH has to travel so far for all of their games, Chancellor Hinshaw said:
"Hawai'i faces something that most universities don't. Travel is so expensive ... for us." (HA)
HA Note: "So when oil costs began shooting up this year, they caught UH's attention for several reasons. Not only does a rise impact what UH pays to compete on the Mainland, it shapes what UH must pay to bring opponents here. And, in addition, UH fans, forced to spend more of their income on gas, can be left with declining disposable income for tickets, pay-per-view subscriptions and logo apparel."
HA Note: "Last year the Warriors took charter flights to the Mainland, some that went all the way to their game sites. This season, they will fly commercially to the Mainland and take some charters from there to the sites."
About how they will not be able to fly on charter flights to the mainland anymore, JD said that charters have become:
"prohibitively expensive" for long trips this year, Donovan said, and will not be employed "over the water." (HA)
HA Note: "For example, Donovan said the Warriors paid $85,000 to charter to San Jose, Calif., for last year's game with the Spartans, and $125,000 to Idaho. Donovan said UH was quoted a $319,000 fare for Fresno State this year."
HA Note: "Even with the elimination of so-called over-the-water charters, UH said it is still projecting to spend more on travel at somewhere north of $3 million. Just how much remains to be seen, and UH is gambling it won't get much steeper. Donovan said travel for football and the fall sports has either been ticketed or is in the works. But UH is waiting before purchasing most of its fall travel and is budgeting based upon the $140-a-barrel level."
About gambling that oil prices will not go up anymore, JD said:
"It is a crap shoot. If oil stays the same or comes down, then, good. But if it rises significantly, then ..." (HA)
About how non-conference opponents are wary about scheduling UH due to escalating travel costs, JD said:
"They aren't sure where prices are going to stabilize and don't want to spend their whole guarantee on just getting here and going back. They'd like to leave here with at least some money in the pocket, too." (HA)
HA Note: "Donovan tells the story of an athletic director at a Bowl Championship Series school he was talking to about a football date. The AD was enthusiastic ... until oil prices hit the then-record $140-a-barrel mark. Since then, he has yet to hear back."
About the high cost to go to Hawaii now, JD said:
"People look at Hawai'i saying what a great place it is to visit and how great of an experience it would be for their team. But, they say, 'Boy, is it getting expensive to go there.' " (HA)
HA Note: "Should prices continue to rise sharply, nonconference opponents might be only half of UH's problem. Western Athletic Conference opponents could begin balancing the positives and negatives more sharply too. When UH was voted into the WAC in 1977, it came with the stipulation that the school would help subsidize travel by conference opponents to Hawai'i. Subsequent UH athletic directors fought to get that overturned, and the policy was waived in 1996 when the WAC expanded to 16 teams. Three years later, travel costs were cited as a contributing reason Hawai'i was not extended an offer to join Brigham Young and the seven other breakaway schools that formed the Mountain West Conference. So far, UH and WAC officials say, there has been no movement afoot to reinstate UH underwriting travel costs, but it has been a back-of-the-mind concern for UH ADs for years."
About how families will cut back on entertainment due to gas prices, JD said:
"If a family here was spending $100 a month on gas and has to now spend $200, it makes sense that entertainment is one of the areas they are going to look at (cutting back)." (HA)
About reducing prices in some sections to entice people to go to games, JD said:
"We want to make it affordable for all our fans, including students, senior citizens and families." (HA)
"I check it every day, as a matter of fact. I have 100 shares of Chevron, but that is not why I check it." (HA)
HA Note: "Instead the reasons lay at the core of UH's bottom line, where the Warriors have been staring at travel costs that have doubled in less than a year. When oil prices reached $140 a barrel three weeks ago, UH officials say what had been a $400-$425 airline ticket to the West Coast for each player on one of its teams last year became an $800-$850 fare for the same flight this year.
Fuel that was $52 a barrel in January 2007 hit an all-time high of $147.27 a barrel in trading Friday before settling at $145.08, numbers that underline — for a school that puts all 19 of its teams on planes each year, some of which regularly log 30,000 miles per season — just how precariously perched UH is."
About how UH has to travel so far for all of their games, Chancellor Hinshaw said:
"Hawai'i faces something that most universities don't. Travel is so expensive ... for us." (HA)
HA Note: "So when oil costs began shooting up this year, they caught UH's attention for several reasons. Not only does a rise impact what UH pays to compete on the Mainland, it shapes what UH must pay to bring opponents here. And, in addition, UH fans, forced to spend more of their income on gas, can be left with declining disposable income for tickets, pay-per-view subscriptions and logo apparel."
HA Note: "Last year the Warriors took charter flights to the Mainland, some that went all the way to their game sites. This season, they will fly commercially to the Mainland and take some charters from there to the sites."
About how they will not be able to fly on charter flights to the mainland anymore, JD said that charters have become:
"prohibitively expensive" for long trips this year, Donovan said, and will not be employed "over the water." (HA)
HA Note: "For example, Donovan said the Warriors paid $85,000 to charter to San Jose, Calif., for last year's game with the Spartans, and $125,000 to Idaho. Donovan said UH was quoted a $319,000 fare for Fresno State this year."
HA Note: "Even with the elimination of so-called over-the-water charters, UH said it is still projecting to spend more on travel at somewhere north of $3 million. Just how much remains to be seen, and UH is gambling it won't get much steeper. Donovan said travel for football and the fall sports has either been ticketed or is in the works. But UH is waiting before purchasing most of its fall travel and is budgeting based upon the $140-a-barrel level."
About gambling that oil prices will not go up anymore, JD said:
"It is a crap shoot. If oil stays the same or comes down, then, good. But if it rises significantly, then ..." (HA)
About how non-conference opponents are wary about scheduling UH due to escalating travel costs, JD said:
"They aren't sure where prices are going to stabilize and don't want to spend their whole guarantee on just getting here and going back. They'd like to leave here with at least some money in the pocket, too." (HA)
HA Note: "Donovan tells the story of an athletic director at a Bowl Championship Series school he was talking to about a football date. The AD was enthusiastic ... until oil prices hit the then-record $140-a-barrel mark. Since then, he has yet to hear back."
About the high cost to go to Hawaii now, JD said:
"People look at Hawai'i saying what a great place it is to visit and how great of an experience it would be for their team. But, they say, 'Boy, is it getting expensive to go there.' " (HA)
HA Note: "Should prices continue to rise sharply, nonconference opponents might be only half of UH's problem. Western Athletic Conference opponents could begin balancing the positives and negatives more sharply too. When UH was voted into the WAC in 1977, it came with the stipulation that the school would help subsidize travel by conference opponents to Hawai'i. Subsequent UH athletic directors fought to get that overturned, and the policy was waived in 1996 when the WAC expanded to 16 teams. Three years later, travel costs were cited as a contributing reason Hawai'i was not extended an offer to join Brigham Young and the seven other breakaway schools that formed the Mountain West Conference. So far, UH and WAC officials say, there has been no movement afoot to reinstate UH underwriting travel costs, but it has been a back-of-the-mind concern for UH ADs for years."
About how families will cut back on entertainment due to gas prices, JD said:
"If a family here was spending $100 a month on gas and has to now spend $200, it makes sense that entertainment is one of the areas they are going to look at (cutting back)." (HA)
About reducing prices in some sections to entice people to go to games, JD said:
"We want to make it affordable for all our fans, including students, senior citizens and families." (HA)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Good News on the WAC TV Negotiations
HA Note: "Conference officials have been in negotiations with ESPN for several months and WAC members held a conference call yesterday apparently to approve a deal in principle. The new agreement, when announced, is expected to run from 5 to 7 years and, on top of a several-fold increase in rights fees, include heavily expanded exposure for conference teams.
The WAC had been receiving $900,000 per year on a six-year deal set to run through the 2009-10 academic year. That figure was down from $1 million after Texas-El Paso and three other schools left for Conference USA in 2005. The new agreement is expected to be worth, on average, approximately $4 million per year to the conference.
The new deal comes after the WAC Board of Directors, composed of members' chief executive officers, turned down ESPN proposals each of the past two summers. Last July the board reportedly turned down a deal that would have been worth $3 million per year."
Asked about the TV negotiations, Karl Benson said that:
"negotiations have been on-going with ESPN." (HA)
HA Note: "The WAC had sought a deal more in line with the six-year, $48 million contract the Mountain West Conference signed with ESPN in 1999."
Ferd wrote in the HA: "
When the WAC Board of Directors two years ago turned down an ESPN extension offer, it bet that what its teams did on the field would back up the contention that its inventory was worth more than the niggling network was offering to commit — both in terms of rights fees and exposure. When the WAC again rejected ESPN's proposal last summer it daringly doubled down on that bet, staring down the 800-pound gorilla of collegiate athletics in the process.
So, Boise State's Cinderella 13-0 season of '06 and the Warriors' own "Believe" Tour of '07, gave the WAC not only its vindication, but plenty to sell.
And, people were buying. The Nov. 2007 showdown for the WAC title with the Broncos drew the largest audience of any ESPN2 game and biggest of 14 Friday night games on the various ESPN properties, 2.65 million households. The Warriors' BCS-clinching game with the Huskies drew 1.96 million households despite an 11:30 p.m. (Eastern) kickoff."
The WAC had been receiving $900,000 per year on a six-year deal set to run through the 2009-10 academic year. That figure was down from $1 million after Texas-El Paso and three other schools left for Conference USA in 2005. The new agreement is expected to be worth, on average, approximately $4 million per year to the conference.
The new deal comes after the WAC Board of Directors, composed of members' chief executive officers, turned down ESPN proposals each of the past two summers. Last July the board reportedly turned down a deal that would have been worth $3 million per year."
Asked about the TV negotiations, Karl Benson said that:
"negotiations have been on-going with ESPN." (HA)
HA Note: "The WAC had sought a deal more in line with the six-year, $48 million contract the Mountain West Conference signed with ESPN in 1999."
Ferd wrote in the HA: "
When the WAC Board of Directors two years ago turned down an ESPN extension offer, it bet that what its teams did on the field would back up the contention that its inventory was worth more than the niggling network was offering to commit — both in terms of rights fees and exposure. When the WAC again rejected ESPN's proposal last summer it daringly doubled down on that bet, staring down the 800-pound gorilla of collegiate athletics in the process.
So, Boise State's Cinderella 13-0 season of '06 and the Warriors' own "Believe" Tour of '07, gave the WAC not only its vindication, but plenty to sell.
And, people were buying. The Nov. 2007 showdown for the WAC title with the Broncos drew the largest audience of any ESPN2 game and biggest of 14 Friday night games on the various ESPN properties, 2.65 million households. The Warriors' BCS-clinching game with the Huskies drew 1.96 million households despite an 11:30 p.m. (Eastern) kickoff."
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Feature article on Jason Rivers
Happy to be back in Hawaii, Jason Rivers said:
"I'm glad to be home, soaking up the beach as much as I can, trying to surf as much as I can, as much as my wife will let me to get away. I'm liking home right now." (KHNL)
About how he has to work hard to earn a spot in the NFL, Rivers said:
"When you have to work for stuff, it makes it that much more gratifying in the end, you appreciate it more in the end." (KHNL)
KHNL Note: "And work Rivers will have to do. He wasn't drafted, after a solid career with the Warriors, even after his four touchdown, 167 receiving yards performance against Washington on national TV."
About trying to make the Titans as an undrafted free agent, Rivers said:
"My uncle told me, it's not like I've had anything easy in my life anyways. And I appreciate that much more than I appreciate handouts, you know working for what you have and it's just makes it more satisfying." (KHNL)
Feeling confident with his chances, Rivers said:
"Right now I feel pretty confident in where I'm at physically, it's just a matter of keep doing what I've been doing my whole life, as long as I take care of what I can control, everything should fall into place." (KHNL)
KHNL Note: "Rivers reports for the Titans training camp on July 25th in Nashville. "
"I'm glad to be home, soaking up the beach as much as I can, trying to surf as much as I can, as much as my wife will let me to get away. I'm liking home right now." (KHNL)
About how he has to work hard to earn a spot in the NFL, Rivers said:
"When you have to work for stuff, it makes it that much more gratifying in the end, you appreciate it more in the end." (KHNL)
KHNL Note: "And work Rivers will have to do. He wasn't drafted, after a solid career with the Warriors, even after his four touchdown, 167 receiving yards performance against Washington on national TV."
About trying to make the Titans as an undrafted free agent, Rivers said:
"My uncle told me, it's not like I've had anything easy in my life anyways. And I appreciate that much more than I appreciate handouts, you know working for what you have and it's just makes it more satisfying." (KHNL)
Feeling confident with his chances, Rivers said:
"Right now I feel pretty confident in where I'm at physically, it's just a matter of keep doing what I've been doing my whole life, as long as I take care of what I can control, everything should fall into place." (KHNL)
KHNL Note: "Rivers reports for the Titans training camp on July 25th in Nashville. "
Monday, July 7, 2008
Feature on how UH's mistakes with the Sugar Bowl and afterwards dimmed their spotlight
HA Note: "Many who went to New Orleans said they had the time of their lives, despite the blowout loss to the University of Georgia, and want to separate those memories from any criticism of the university. But the missteps by UH administrators before and after the game, and the secrecy the university used to try to shield some decision-making, have left a mark on the experience."
About the mistakes by UH, HA quotes a state lawmaker:
"The best things happen to us and we just rip it apart. We had this big moment, this big opportunity, and it all collapsed into a pile of kukae." (HA)
HA Note: "Virginia Hinshaw, the UH-Manoa chancellor, was at the University of Wisconsin in 1994 when the Badgers went to their first Rose Bowl in 40 years. Herman Frazier, who was then UH-Manoa's athletic director, was a bowl veteran from his time at Arizona State University. Their skill sets, others say, helped the university meet the logistical challenge of moving more than 550 people in the UH delegation to the Mainland on three weeks' notice. One UH administrator likened the task to quickly sending a U.S. Army brigade from Schofield Barracks to South Korea."
About how they will learn from their mistakes with the Sugar Bowl, Chancellor Hinshaw said:
"That's what you do. I mean that's normal. You assess. I learn from history, I don't live in it. I can't. You learn, you try to get better and that's the goal. I appreciate the opportunity to learn if there's things that we need to do in a different way." (HA)
HA Note: "Among the mishaps before and after the Sugar Bowl:
# Frazier's decision to return some of UH's initial 17,500 allotment of bowl tickets after underestimating demand led to unnecessary anxiety and accusations of favoritism among fans.
# The travel policy hastily drafted by Frazier and Hinshaw appeared arbitrary and led to questions of fairness when staff who had helped with the football program were left out while spouses, companions and children were allowed to go.
# UH President David McClain apologized to fans for the university not working faster to try to renew June Jones' contract as football coach. Jones left UH in January to coach at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The university fired Frazier and bought out the remaining two years of his contract.
# Jim Donovan, who replaced Frazier as athletic director, apologized to state lawmakers in March for what he called evasive and inaccurate financial information provided by the athletic department in the past.
# The university apologized and agreed to pay attorneys' fees to The Advertiser last week to settle a lawsuit by the newspaper under the state's open-records law. The university had initially declined to release a complete list of people who traveled to the Sugar Bowl and the university's expenses. The university also had offered to allow people to be removed from the list if they paid UH their expenses for the trip."
About how the biggest lesson learned was that UH should have ticket and travel policies in place that are either approved by the UH Board of Regents or the Chancellor's office, Rep. Takai said:
"The second-guessing and Monday morning quarterbacking we had after the game would have been a nonissue." (HA)
About how the Sugar Bowl raised UH up a few levels, Takai said:
"I think the Sugar Bowl experience took us up quite a few notches and, as I've said many times, we deserve to be back at a BCS bowl game in the future. Some people may believe that this was kind of a fluke and a one-time thing; I don't think that way. What it's done for our community and what it's done to our program, I don't think you can put it into words nor can you put it in terms of money. I personally have very fond memories of the experience." (HA)
About how planning for a major bowl might need to go beyond athletics and UH, State Senator Norman Sakamoto said:
"I'm not sure, when it gets to the level of a Sugar Bowl, that things should be relegated to the football coach, or solely to Manoa's chancellor or athletic director, because sports in Hawai'i, especially football, is a statewide issue, so at some point the system or the regents at least need to be involved." (HA)
About the Sugar Bowl, Sakamoto said it was a:
"learning curve. Hopefully, there is a next time — soon — and we have an opportunity to be better prepared. It's like when the first hurricane hits, we say 'we could have, we should have.' If the second hurricane hits and we didn't address what we learned from the first hurricane, it's like, 'wait a minute.' " (HA)
HA Note: "State Rep. Jerry Chang, D-2nd (S. Hilo), the chairman of the House Higher Education Committee, said it was a new experience for everyone involved. But he believes now, looking back, that it should have been clear to UH administrators that staff spouses, companions and children should not have gone to New Orleans at state expense."
About how UH administrators should know that spouses, companions, and children should not have gone to New Orleans at state expense, State Rep. Jerry Chang said:
"Everybody is on notice now." (HA)
HA Note: "Dan Mollway, the commission's executive director, said he wrote McClain in December about the Sugar Bowl after hearing questions about the university's ticket and travel preparations. The next day, Mollway met in Manoa with Hinshaw, Frazier, associate athletic director Carl Clapp and other administrators. Mollway said Hinshaw and Frazier did most of the talking and described the importance of UH making a good impression in New Orleans."
About how Hinshaw and HF were mostly concerned about making a good impression in New Orleans, Hawaii Ethics Commission Executive Director Dan Mollway said:
"There seemed to be a notion that if a university was not really gung-ho and enthusiastic about a bowl experience, that this would reflect negatively on the university, and according to what we heard, would also affect others in the (Western Athletic Conference,)." (HA)
HA Note: "Mollway said he recalls being fairly explicit that state law, under the fair treatment section of the ethics code, prohibits state officials from using their positions to give unwarranted privileges. He said, generally, the state does not pay the travel expenses of staff spouses or companions unless there is a legitimate state purpose.
Hinshaw and others, Mollway remembers, said there would be several social functions surrounding the Sugar Bowl and that spouses and companions should be allowed to attend. Mollway said he recalls hearing that some staff children might also have to attend because of the hardship of either leaving them home or finding childcare around the holidays. He said he recalls UH administrators saying that children would not travel at state expense."
About how he felt that UH officials were following the rules when he met with Hinshaw and HF, Mollway said:
"We felt that under the circumstances, the uniqueness of the Sugar Bowl, that what they were telling us seemed warranted. They said they were being very scrupulous, that they would be sending only the people who really best represented the university, and this was, of course, beyond the people who needed to go like the athletes and the band." (HA)
HA Note: "UH administrators, according to Gregg Takayama, a UH-Manoa spokesman, remember the conversation differently. They recall that the discussion was mostly about ticket allocation and that no specific decisions were made about travel expenses."
About his meeting with Hinshaw and HF, Mollway said it was:
"a very, very open, very honest, very good-faith discussion. A discussion that stated quite clearly that they were making every effort to be scrupulous, and that everything would happen the way it should happen, and that was the tone of the whole conversation." (HA)
HA Note: "Mollway said that, because of the positive tone, he asked Frazier at the time if he could speak about the discussion with the news media and he said Frazier agreed. Matters involving the ethics commission are usually confidential and Mollway typically does not publicly discuss such conversations."
About how playing in a BCS Bowl (the Fiesta Bowl) was very different than any other bowl they had been in, Gary Andersen (defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Utah) said:
"It was a remarkable experience. From A to Z, it was something that I'll never forget and I don't think the kids will ever forget. For the kids to walk into that game, play in that game, and finish off an undefeated year was fantastic. It surely had its challenges but it was a great experience." (HA)
About how the Sugar Bowl will be remembered for the enthusiasm of the Warrior Fans in New Orleans, Hinshaw said:
"The highlight of the Sugar Bowl was the fan participation. It gave us great visibility. The stories — the aloha spirit meeting the Southern hospitality — was a great combination. We generated more fans by being there because of the behavior and presentation and representation of the fans and officials. It was just wonderful to see. And it does impact on those next opportunities, knowing that your fans will show, they will come, they will support, and they couldn't have been more wonderful." (HA)
About how the Sugar Bowl was invaluable to UH, JD said:
"There is no way you can ever take that away, and all the value that came with it. All in all, to do the Sugar Bowl again? Absolutely. Would we do everything exactly the same? No, we wouldn't. That's part of the learning process." (HA)
About how they considered the lessons from the Sugar Bowl when they made their ticket policy for Florida and Oregon State, JD said:
"They're real, and you have to learn from them. "To me, the biggest mistakes are the ones that you don't learn from. And those are the ones that people should get hammered for, in my opinion." (HA)
About the mistakes by UH, HA quotes a state lawmaker:
"The best things happen to us and we just rip it apart. We had this big moment, this big opportunity, and it all collapsed into a pile of kukae." (HA)
HA Note: "Virginia Hinshaw, the UH-Manoa chancellor, was at the University of Wisconsin in 1994 when the Badgers went to their first Rose Bowl in 40 years. Herman Frazier, who was then UH-Manoa's athletic director, was a bowl veteran from his time at Arizona State University. Their skill sets, others say, helped the university meet the logistical challenge of moving more than 550 people in the UH delegation to the Mainland on three weeks' notice. One UH administrator likened the task to quickly sending a U.S. Army brigade from Schofield Barracks to South Korea."
About how they will learn from their mistakes with the Sugar Bowl, Chancellor Hinshaw said:
"That's what you do. I mean that's normal. You assess. I learn from history, I don't live in it. I can't. You learn, you try to get better and that's the goal. I appreciate the opportunity to learn if there's things that we need to do in a different way." (HA)
HA Note: "Among the mishaps before and after the Sugar Bowl:
# Frazier's decision to return some of UH's initial 17,500 allotment of bowl tickets after underestimating demand led to unnecessary anxiety and accusations of favoritism among fans.
# The travel policy hastily drafted by Frazier and Hinshaw appeared arbitrary and led to questions of fairness when staff who had helped with the football program were left out while spouses, companions and children were allowed to go.
# UH President David McClain apologized to fans for the university not working faster to try to renew June Jones' contract as football coach. Jones left UH in January to coach at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The university fired Frazier and bought out the remaining two years of his contract.
# Jim Donovan, who replaced Frazier as athletic director, apologized to state lawmakers in March for what he called evasive and inaccurate financial information provided by the athletic department in the past.
# The university apologized and agreed to pay attorneys' fees to The Advertiser last week to settle a lawsuit by the newspaper under the state's open-records law. The university had initially declined to release a complete list of people who traveled to the Sugar Bowl and the university's expenses. The university also had offered to allow people to be removed from the list if they paid UH their expenses for the trip."
About how the biggest lesson learned was that UH should have ticket and travel policies in place that are either approved by the UH Board of Regents or the Chancellor's office, Rep. Takai said:
"The second-guessing and Monday morning quarterbacking we had after the game would have been a nonissue." (HA)
About how the Sugar Bowl raised UH up a few levels, Takai said:
"I think the Sugar Bowl experience took us up quite a few notches and, as I've said many times, we deserve to be back at a BCS bowl game in the future. Some people may believe that this was kind of a fluke and a one-time thing; I don't think that way. What it's done for our community and what it's done to our program, I don't think you can put it into words nor can you put it in terms of money. I personally have very fond memories of the experience." (HA)
About how planning for a major bowl might need to go beyond athletics and UH, State Senator Norman Sakamoto said:
"I'm not sure, when it gets to the level of a Sugar Bowl, that things should be relegated to the football coach, or solely to Manoa's chancellor or athletic director, because sports in Hawai'i, especially football, is a statewide issue, so at some point the system or the regents at least need to be involved." (HA)
About the Sugar Bowl, Sakamoto said it was a:
"learning curve. Hopefully, there is a next time — soon — and we have an opportunity to be better prepared. It's like when the first hurricane hits, we say 'we could have, we should have.' If the second hurricane hits and we didn't address what we learned from the first hurricane, it's like, 'wait a minute.' " (HA)
HA Note: "State Rep. Jerry Chang, D-2nd (S. Hilo), the chairman of the House Higher Education Committee, said it was a new experience for everyone involved. But he believes now, looking back, that it should have been clear to UH administrators that staff spouses, companions and children should not have gone to New Orleans at state expense."
About how UH administrators should know that spouses, companions, and children should not have gone to New Orleans at state expense, State Rep. Jerry Chang said:
"Everybody is on notice now." (HA)
HA Note: "Dan Mollway, the commission's executive director, said he wrote McClain in December about the Sugar Bowl after hearing questions about the university's ticket and travel preparations. The next day, Mollway met in Manoa with Hinshaw, Frazier, associate athletic director Carl Clapp and other administrators. Mollway said Hinshaw and Frazier did most of the talking and described the importance of UH making a good impression in New Orleans."
About how Hinshaw and HF were mostly concerned about making a good impression in New Orleans, Hawaii Ethics Commission Executive Director Dan Mollway said:
"There seemed to be a notion that if a university was not really gung-ho and enthusiastic about a bowl experience, that this would reflect negatively on the university, and according to what we heard, would also affect others in the (Western Athletic Conference,)." (HA)
HA Note: "Mollway said he recalls being fairly explicit that state law, under the fair treatment section of the ethics code, prohibits state officials from using their positions to give unwarranted privileges. He said, generally, the state does not pay the travel expenses of staff spouses or companions unless there is a legitimate state purpose.
Hinshaw and others, Mollway remembers, said there would be several social functions surrounding the Sugar Bowl and that spouses and companions should be allowed to attend. Mollway said he recalls hearing that some staff children might also have to attend because of the hardship of either leaving them home or finding childcare around the holidays. He said he recalls UH administrators saying that children would not travel at state expense."
About how he felt that UH officials were following the rules when he met with Hinshaw and HF, Mollway said:
"We felt that under the circumstances, the uniqueness of the Sugar Bowl, that what they were telling us seemed warranted. They said they were being very scrupulous, that they would be sending only the people who really best represented the university, and this was, of course, beyond the people who needed to go like the athletes and the band." (HA)
HA Note: "UH administrators, according to Gregg Takayama, a UH-Manoa spokesman, remember the conversation differently. They recall that the discussion was mostly about ticket allocation and that no specific decisions were made about travel expenses."
About his meeting with Hinshaw and HF, Mollway said it was:
"a very, very open, very honest, very good-faith discussion. A discussion that stated quite clearly that they were making every effort to be scrupulous, and that everything would happen the way it should happen, and that was the tone of the whole conversation." (HA)
HA Note: "Mollway said that, because of the positive tone, he asked Frazier at the time if he could speak about the discussion with the news media and he said Frazier agreed. Matters involving the ethics commission are usually confidential and Mollway typically does not publicly discuss such conversations."
About how playing in a BCS Bowl (the Fiesta Bowl) was very different than any other bowl they had been in, Gary Andersen (defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Utah) said:
"It was a remarkable experience. From A to Z, it was something that I'll never forget and I don't think the kids will ever forget. For the kids to walk into that game, play in that game, and finish off an undefeated year was fantastic. It surely had its challenges but it was a great experience." (HA)
About how the Sugar Bowl will be remembered for the enthusiasm of the Warrior Fans in New Orleans, Hinshaw said:
"The highlight of the Sugar Bowl was the fan participation. It gave us great visibility. The stories — the aloha spirit meeting the Southern hospitality — was a great combination. We generated more fans by being there because of the behavior and presentation and representation of the fans and officials. It was just wonderful to see. And it does impact on those next opportunities, knowing that your fans will show, they will come, they will support, and they couldn't have been more wonderful." (HA)
About how the Sugar Bowl was invaluable to UH, JD said:
"There is no way you can ever take that away, and all the value that came with it. All in all, to do the Sugar Bowl again? Absolutely. Would we do everything exactly the same? No, we wouldn't. That's part of the learning process." (HA)
About how they considered the lessons from the Sugar Bowl when they made their ticket policy for Florida and Oregon State, JD said:
"They're real, and you have to learn from them. "To me, the biggest mistakes are the ones that you don't learn from. And those are the ones that people should get hammered for, in my opinion." (HA)
UH coaches held a clinic in Honokaa
HTH = Hawaii Tribune-Herald
HTH Note: "UH-Manoa, featuring assistant coaches Cal Lee and Alex Gerke, will hold a free football clinic from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 8 to 12 years old, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 13 to 17 years old on Saturday at the Honokaa High School field. A free lunch will be offered after each class, and the first 100 to check-in will get a free T-shirt. Next to McDonald's scratch a card and get a free burger promotion or the boss buying free pizza, there may be no better freebie deal than UH's clinic."
About the recruiting battle over Manti Teo, Cal Lee said:
"We're right in the ballgame. We want not only Manti but all the top players across the state. About 10 to 15 years ago, there used to be only small colleges coming to Hawaii to recruit. That's all you saw. Lately, coaches from the Pac-10, Big 12, and as far east as Florida are coming in. It gives kids a lot more opportunities where they can go. It's more opportunities and it's great for everybody." (HTH)
HTH Note: "Maybe Lee will discover a prospect who shines at the clinic. Like Mana Silva, Daniel Libre or Levi Legay. All three played on the Big Island and are members of the UH football team. Silva, a 2006 Kamehameha-Hawaii graduate, is in line to be the starting strong safety. Libre, a 2004 Konawaena graduate, is expected to see extensive playing time in the backfield. Legay, a 2007 Kealakehe graduate, is climbing the offensive line depth chart."
About the prospects on the Big Island, Cal Lee said:
"We have to wait until Sept. 1 to speak to incoming seniors. Mana Silva is a kid we tried to recruit and he went away (Oregon State) and he came back. I think he'll fit in with the program. We're really excited about Mana. There are prospects on the Big Island. It's good because we can work with them in camp, look at them and see if we want to recruit them. We've got kids coming from Hilo, Waiakea, Kona and all over to our camp. You never know." (HTH)
Asked if his success as a high school coach is a recruiting tool, Cal Lee said:
"That was a long time ago. Most of the kids have forgotten about that. What it does is it helps me get in the door. I'm local and they know I'm from here and here to stay, and I mean what I say when I talk to the kids." (HTH)
HTH Note: "When Greg McMackin was named UH head coach, his staff had just three weeks to recruit. But the Warriors reeled in an impressive class, including highly touted junior college quarterbacks Greg Alexander (6 feet 5 and 240 pounds) and Brent Rausch (6-4 and 190), and a pair of hard-to-get Kahuku High School standouts in linebackers Alema Tachibana (6-3, 200) and Paipai Falemalu (6-3, 220).
The Warriors did a fine job in repairing the recruiting pipeline from Kahuku to Manoa. When June Jones was the coach, he and former Red Raider coach Siuaki Livai got into a cat-and-mouse tussle about Livai encouraging his players to flee the state. "Not true," Livai would shout. "It is so," Jones would counter. Their little drama performance ended up on the TV news."
About their 2008 recruits from Kahuku, Cal Lee said:
"That's because of coach Mac. He tried to visit all the high schools he could go to. We try to work with all the local coaches. We've got a great staff and they've gone out of their way to visit all the coaches on the island." (HTH)
HTH Note: "Lee also landed two big bodies from his old stomping grounds in offensive lineman Tuiatua Tuiasosopo (6-1, 290) and defensive lineman Geordon Hanohano (6-2, 270). The local recruiting also netted two athletic players in linebacker Art Laurel (6-1, 205) from Leilehua High, and corner/wideout Earvin Sione (6-5, 190) from McKinley High, a tall speedster UH sorely needs."
About how he had connections to some of their recruits, Cal Lee said:
"I'm fortunate that I had a little connection. I know Tuiatua and Geordon. And I have relationships with their families and brothers." (HTH)
HTH Note: "UH-Manoa, featuring assistant coaches Cal Lee and Alex Gerke, will hold a free football clinic from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 8 to 12 years old, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 13 to 17 years old on Saturday at the Honokaa High School field. A free lunch will be offered after each class, and the first 100 to check-in will get a free T-shirt. Next to McDonald's scratch a card and get a free burger promotion or the boss buying free pizza, there may be no better freebie deal than UH's clinic."
About the recruiting battle over Manti Teo, Cal Lee said:
"We're right in the ballgame. We want not only Manti but all the top players across the state. About 10 to 15 years ago, there used to be only small colleges coming to Hawaii to recruit. That's all you saw. Lately, coaches from the Pac-10, Big 12, and as far east as Florida are coming in. It gives kids a lot more opportunities where they can go. It's more opportunities and it's great for everybody." (HTH)
HTH Note: "Maybe Lee will discover a prospect who shines at the clinic. Like Mana Silva, Daniel Libre or Levi Legay. All three played on the Big Island and are members of the UH football team. Silva, a 2006 Kamehameha-Hawaii graduate, is in line to be the starting strong safety. Libre, a 2004 Konawaena graduate, is expected to see extensive playing time in the backfield. Legay, a 2007 Kealakehe graduate, is climbing the offensive line depth chart."
About the prospects on the Big Island, Cal Lee said:
"We have to wait until Sept. 1 to speak to incoming seniors. Mana Silva is a kid we tried to recruit and he went away (Oregon State) and he came back. I think he'll fit in with the program. We're really excited about Mana. There are prospects on the Big Island. It's good because we can work with them in camp, look at them and see if we want to recruit them. We've got kids coming from Hilo, Waiakea, Kona and all over to our camp. You never know." (HTH)
Asked if his success as a high school coach is a recruiting tool, Cal Lee said:
"That was a long time ago. Most of the kids have forgotten about that. What it does is it helps me get in the door. I'm local and they know I'm from here and here to stay, and I mean what I say when I talk to the kids." (HTH)
HTH Note: "When Greg McMackin was named UH head coach, his staff had just three weeks to recruit. But the Warriors reeled in an impressive class, including highly touted junior college quarterbacks Greg Alexander (6 feet 5 and 240 pounds) and Brent Rausch (6-4 and 190), and a pair of hard-to-get Kahuku High School standouts in linebackers Alema Tachibana (6-3, 200) and Paipai Falemalu (6-3, 220).
The Warriors did a fine job in repairing the recruiting pipeline from Kahuku to Manoa. When June Jones was the coach, he and former Red Raider coach Siuaki Livai got into a cat-and-mouse tussle about Livai encouraging his players to flee the state. "Not true," Livai would shout. "It is so," Jones would counter. Their little drama performance ended up on the TV news."
About their 2008 recruits from Kahuku, Cal Lee said:
"That's because of coach Mac. He tried to visit all the high schools he could go to. We try to work with all the local coaches. We've got a great staff and they've gone out of their way to visit all the coaches on the island." (HTH)
HTH Note: "Lee also landed two big bodies from his old stomping grounds in offensive lineman Tuiatua Tuiasosopo (6-1, 290) and defensive lineman Geordon Hanohano (6-2, 270). The local recruiting also netted two athletic players in linebacker Art Laurel (6-1, 205) from Leilehua High, and corner/wideout Earvin Sione (6-5, 190) from McKinley High, a tall speedster UH sorely needs."
About how he had connections to some of their recruits, Cal Lee said:
"I'm fortunate that I had a little connection. I know Tuiatua and Geordon. And I have relationships with their families and brothers." (HTH)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
KGMB note about Colt being back in town
About how it is nice to catch up with old friends (Bess and RGM are in town) and visit some of his old hangout spots, Colt (who is in town for less than 2 days) said:
"I don't get to do what I really want to do and enjoy myself, but obviously there are a lot of restaurants that I would love to go to, would love to go back and eat, but mostly the beach though, and my friends and all the people i've made relationships over the last couple of years. I just miss being away from home really, the people, the lifestyle, you know it was such a blast it almost seems surreal now." (KGMB)
"I don't get to do what I really want to do and enjoy myself, but obviously there are a lot of restaurants that I would love to go to, would love to go back and eat, but mostly the beach though, and my friends and all the people i've made relationships over the last couple of years. I just miss being away from home really, the people, the lifestyle, you know it was such a blast it almost seems surreal now." (KGMB)
Samoan Warriors gave back at the Samoa camp
About the importance of sports in Samoa, Dolphins DT Paul Soliai said:
"in Samoa there's only two ways off the rock, you join the Army or you get a scholarship for education and sports." (KHNL)
Note: I know that Soliai did not go to UH, but he plays for Miami so he's a teammate of Samson and Reagan so I followed him last year.
About helping out with the Samoa camp, Mel Purcell said:
"It's always a dream of mine to come back and teach the kids, the things that I went through and stuff like that. Try and give back as much as I can, you know I love this island, born and raised here, and i'll love it to death." (KHNL)
About the Samoa camp, Reagan Mauia said:
"It's one of the greatest opportunities they'll come across. When I was here I didn't have anything like this, I didn't have guys from the pros, retired future hall of famers come back and give back to us. But i'm grateful I could come back and do something great for my people, for my home." (KHNL)
About the potential he sees in Samoa, Jesse Sapolu said:
"The floodgates are starting to open and the NFL is looking to make American Samoa the Dominican Republic of baseball on the football side so it's very exciting." (KHNL)
About how the kids reminded him of himself, Reagan said:
"I saw one kid who didn't have any shoes on, who didn't have any cleats on, and that used to be me. When I left this island I didn't even have a shoe, so it just took me back and humbled me to see where i've come from." (KHNL)
About the importance of education, Mel Purcell said:
"Always make education the first priority because without that, you can't go to colleges or anything like that." (KHNL)
Hoping that the camp pays off for the kids in the future, Reagan said:
"I just can't wait for the future and see some of the kids in the NFL, it'll be awesome." (KHNL)
Hoping that the cycle of giving back continues in the future, Ma'a Tanuvasa said:
"I think for any Samoan who makes it to the next level, whether it's college or the NFL should come back to help out." (KHNL)
"in Samoa there's only two ways off the rock, you join the Army or you get a scholarship for education and sports." (KHNL)
Note: I know that Soliai did not go to UH, but he plays for Miami so he's a teammate of Samson and Reagan so I followed him last year.
About helping out with the Samoa camp, Mel Purcell said:
"It's always a dream of mine to come back and teach the kids, the things that I went through and stuff like that. Try and give back as much as I can, you know I love this island, born and raised here, and i'll love it to death." (KHNL)
About the Samoa camp, Reagan Mauia said:
"It's one of the greatest opportunities they'll come across. When I was here I didn't have anything like this, I didn't have guys from the pros, retired future hall of famers come back and give back to us. But i'm grateful I could come back and do something great for my people, for my home." (KHNL)
About the potential he sees in Samoa, Jesse Sapolu said:
"The floodgates are starting to open and the NFL is looking to make American Samoa the Dominican Republic of baseball on the football side so it's very exciting." (KHNL)
About how the kids reminded him of himself, Reagan said:
"I saw one kid who didn't have any shoes on, who didn't have any cleats on, and that used to be me. When I left this island I didn't even have a shoe, so it just took me back and humbled me to see where i've come from." (KHNL)
About the importance of education, Mel Purcell said:
"Always make education the first priority because without that, you can't go to colleges or anything like that." (KHNL)
Hoping that the camp pays off for the kids in the future, Reagan said:
"I just can't wait for the future and see some of the kids in the NFL, it'll be awesome." (KHNL)
Hoping that the cycle of giving back continues in the future, Ma'a Tanuvasa said:
"I think for any Samoan who makes it to the next level, whether it's college or the NFL should come back to help out." (KHNL)
UH will hold camps for kids
About how nothing is more fulfilling than coaching kids, Mack said:
"Absolutely. I think the youth coaches, the Pop Warner coaches, the big-boy coaches are the most important coaches. They're the ones who teach the fundamentals to the athletes as they're growing up. They also teach the attitude." (HA)
HA Note: "There are three camps:
# Kids Camp, ages 5 to 12, July 12, 13.
# Skills Camp for receivers, defensive backs, quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and linebackers, ages 13 and older, July 15 to 18.
# Big Man's Camp for offensive and defensive linemen, ages 13 and older, July 21 to 23."
About how he enjoys working with kids and how they provide all positive feedback, Mack said:
"I really love to walk on the field of youth football. Like (the Warriors') training camp, it's going to be all positive. They need to hear the positive things they're doing well. We'll correct the things that need to be corrected, but we'll do it in a positive way. That's the important thing in coaching young players. I've got a little guy [grandson Taylor McMackin] and that's how I want him to be coached: in a positive way. I want him to learn fundamentals and techniques and ways to get better. Our camp is going to have a lot of positive reinforcement." (HA)
About how the camp will be filled with skilled players, Mack said:
"There's talent in Hawai'i — players and football coaches. I know if you played for a youth team or a high school here, you've had excellent coaching. That's why I want to make Hawai'i the base of (the Warriors') recruiting." (HA)
"Absolutely. I think the youth coaches, the Pop Warner coaches, the big-boy coaches are the most important coaches. They're the ones who teach the fundamentals to the athletes as they're growing up. They also teach the attitude." (HA)
HA Note: "There are three camps:
# Kids Camp, ages 5 to 12, July 12, 13.
# Skills Camp for receivers, defensive backs, quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and linebackers, ages 13 and older, July 15 to 18.
# Big Man's Camp for offensive and defensive linemen, ages 13 and older, July 21 to 23."
About how he enjoys working with kids and how they provide all positive feedback, Mack said:
"I really love to walk on the field of youth football. Like (the Warriors') training camp, it's going to be all positive. They need to hear the positive things they're doing well. We'll correct the things that need to be corrected, but we'll do it in a positive way. That's the important thing in coaching young players. I've got a little guy [grandson Taylor McMackin] and that's how I want him to be coached: in a positive way. I want him to learn fundamentals and techniques and ways to get better. Our camp is going to have a lot of positive reinforcement." (HA)
About how the camp will be filled with skilled players, Mack said:
"There's talent in Hawai'i — players and football coaches. I know if you played for a youth team or a high school here, you've had excellent coaching. That's why I want to make Hawai'i the base of (the Warriors') recruiting." (HA)
UH Got $4.9 mil from the WAC
HA Note: "Thanks in large part to its Sugar Bowl appearance, UH received a $4,922,062 disbursement check from the WAC, nearly three times that of the next highest school, Boise State. Boise, which received $5.2 million last year after appearing in the Fiesta Bowl, earned $1,672,056 this time. New Mexico was last in the nine-member conference at $432,197. UH received $1,433,265 the previous year, including nearly $400,000 in Bowl Championship Series money. The lion's share of UH's latest payoff came from the BCS payout, $4,385,555, for the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl appearance against Georgia. Other conference members received $410,555 each in BCS money."
About the $4.9 mil check that they deposited last week, JD said that it:
"came at a timely moment in light of our budget situation." (HA)
HA Note: "The funds will likely allow UH to balance its $29.15 million budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year that ended June 30 and show a slight surplus, Donovan said."
HA Note: "The WAC distributed $13.1 million, down from the record $14.3 million last year. WAC officials, however, said the conference actually generated more this year but distributed less because of increased bowl expenses. UH's trip to New Orleans, compared to its Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl appearance of 2006, and Boise State's journey to the Hawai'i Bowl in 2007, compared with its Fiesta Bowl game of the previous season, were said to be major factors."
About BSU and UH getting to BCS games in back-to-back years, Karl Benson said:
"For two years in a row we've had a BCS windfall and it is to Boise State and Hawai'i's credit that the other schools got over $400,000 (each)." (HA)
HA Note: "UH received a $95,000 "inconvenience" fee for agreeing to move its Boise State game from a Saturday to Nov. 23, a Friday, to accommodate ESPN. The game wound up being the WAC title game. In addition, UH received $349,692 from the WAC's share of the NCAA men's basketball tournament pool. Other major sources of income included $40,000 from the WAC Basketball Tournament and $90,000 from the entry fees paid by Utah State, New Mexico State and Idaho to join the conference."
About the $4.9 mil check that they deposited last week, JD said that it:
"came at a timely moment in light of our budget situation." (HA)
HA Note: "The funds will likely allow UH to balance its $29.15 million budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year that ended June 30 and show a slight surplus, Donovan said."
HA Note: "The WAC distributed $13.1 million, down from the record $14.3 million last year. WAC officials, however, said the conference actually generated more this year but distributed less because of increased bowl expenses. UH's trip to New Orleans, compared to its Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl appearance of 2006, and Boise State's journey to the Hawai'i Bowl in 2007, compared with its Fiesta Bowl game of the previous season, were said to be major factors."
About BSU and UH getting to BCS games in back-to-back years, Karl Benson said:
"For two years in a row we've had a BCS windfall and it is to Boise State and Hawai'i's credit that the other schools got over $400,000 (each)." (HA)
HA Note: "UH received a $95,000 "inconvenience" fee for agreeing to move its Boise State game from a Saturday to Nov. 23, a Friday, to accommodate ESPN. The game wound up being the WAC title game. In addition, UH received $349,692 from the WAC's share of the NCAA men's basketball tournament pool. Other major sources of income included $40,000 from the WAC Basketball Tournament and $90,000 from the entry fees paid by Utah State, New Mexico State and Idaho to join the conference."
Feature Story on Brashton Satele
About serving as a counselor at the Game Plan Academy last week, Brashton Satele said:
"When I was in camp, I was always trying to impress the coaches, trying to get looks and get opportunities to play football -- and I got it from UH." (HSB)
HSB Note: "It wasn't so long ago that Satele was among the eager youngsters participating in the Game Plan Hawaii Football Academy. He returned to the camp at Aloha Stadium last week, this time as a counselor passing along tips on playing linebacker and insight on the path to college ball."
HSB Note: "Satele comes from a line of UH athletes, as his father, Alvis, played linebacker in the 1980s, and his mother, LeeAnn (Pestana), won two national titles with the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team. With the close-knit family forming his foundation, Brashton plans to take a rare break from his summer training today -- after all, it's mom's birthday."
About taking a break from training today because it is his Mom's birthday, Brashton said:
"(Family) means everything to me. I'd be lost without her." (HSB)
About sprinting after cars ever since high school as part of his speed training, Brashton said:
"I just race them like I'm chasing a running back or receiver." (HSB)
Asked what kind of reaction he gets from the cars he chases, Brashton said:
"They look at me kind of weird sometimes. Some of them do (get scared). That's good, though. When they push on the gas, that's better for me." (HSB)
HSB Note: "His days this summer often begin with a lifting session on the UH campus at 6:30 a.m., followed by running with his Warriors teammates. Three afternoons a week are devoted to 7-on-7 drills. When that's done, he'll often take his work home. He might go for a mile run, turn the living room into a personal exercise center, or chase passing motorists in a 30-yard sprint up the incline fronting his family's house."
About her son Brashton, LeeAnn Satele said:
"He cannot keep still. From the time he gets up in the morning, he's working out. Before he goes to sleep at night, he's running or jumping rope or doing something." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Entering his fourth year in the UH program, Satele has no shortage of fuel for his 'round-the-clock routine. For one, there's the ticking of his collegiate clock. Since coming out of Word of Life in 2005, Satele redshirted his first year and contributed primarily on special teams the past two seasons, his progress at linebacker hampered by a string of nagging injuries. He registered five tackles in 12 games last fall while nursing hamstring and shoulder ailments, but enjoyed a healthy run at spring drills while backing up Solomon Elimimian at inside linebacker. He's also picking up tips on playing the outside spots this summer in hopes that his versatility will lead to a more prominent role in a deep linebacker corps come fall."
About how he's been waiting for playing time, Brashton said:
"I've been waiting -- hopefully this is my time to get out there and make some plays in front of the fans. Two more years, I have to show what I've got. ... That's why I keep busting my butt every morning." (HSB)
Impressed with Brashton's hard work between their Sugar Bowl game and the start of spring practice, Mack said:
"I saw him just work out constantly. He worked to get faster, he worked to get stronger, he worked to improve his body. This is something that's important to him. I think (UH defensive coordinator/linebackers coach) Cal Lee has done a great job of coaching him and having him grow as a linebacker. ... He's one of our top linebackers right now, so we have to get him on the playing field." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Thoughts of the Warriors' season-opening meeting with Florida also bounce Satele out of bed each morning. The Gators are, after all, the nation's top-ranked team -- according to several preseason publications -- led by Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow."
About how the Florida game motivates him, even though it is nearly 2 months away, Brashton said:
Though the afternoon of Aug. 30 in the sweltering Swamp remains nearly two months off, "it's a couple days away to me. I just feel like it's coming up really fast. When you think you can't run any more, you have to push through. You want to be dying in workouts, not during the game. Every morning I think, 'What are Tebow and the Gators doing?' It wakes me up every day, just keeps me pushing." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Over his first three years at UH, Satele has had to push through numerous physical aches and the accompanying frustration. But he has ready resources in dealing with the ups and downs of college athletics. His parents each carved out a successful career in Manoa. His dad, Alvis Satele, was a standout linebacker in the 1980s. LeeAnn, then Pestana, won two national championships with the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team."
About Brashton, LeeAnn Satele said:
"We want him to create his own identity and he is. He takes on a lot of traits of his dad, real friendly, a people person, works hard. He really respects his dad and what he has done there. But at the same time his dad pushes him to create his own identity." (HSB)
"When I was in camp, I was always trying to impress the coaches, trying to get looks and get opportunities to play football -- and I got it from UH." (HSB)
HSB Note: "It wasn't so long ago that Satele was among the eager youngsters participating in the Game Plan Hawaii Football Academy. He returned to the camp at Aloha Stadium last week, this time as a counselor passing along tips on playing linebacker and insight on the path to college ball."
HSB Note: "Satele comes from a line of UH athletes, as his father, Alvis, played linebacker in the 1980s, and his mother, LeeAnn (Pestana), won two national titles with the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team. With the close-knit family forming his foundation, Brashton plans to take a rare break from his summer training today -- after all, it's mom's birthday."
About taking a break from training today because it is his Mom's birthday, Brashton said:
"(Family) means everything to me. I'd be lost without her." (HSB)
About sprinting after cars ever since high school as part of his speed training, Brashton said:
"I just race them like I'm chasing a running back or receiver." (HSB)
Asked what kind of reaction he gets from the cars he chases, Brashton said:
"They look at me kind of weird sometimes. Some of them do (get scared). That's good, though. When they push on the gas, that's better for me." (HSB)
HSB Note: "His days this summer often begin with a lifting session on the UH campus at 6:30 a.m., followed by running with his Warriors teammates. Three afternoons a week are devoted to 7-on-7 drills. When that's done, he'll often take his work home. He might go for a mile run, turn the living room into a personal exercise center, or chase passing motorists in a 30-yard sprint up the incline fronting his family's house."
About her son Brashton, LeeAnn Satele said:
"He cannot keep still. From the time he gets up in the morning, he's working out. Before he goes to sleep at night, he's running or jumping rope or doing something." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Entering his fourth year in the UH program, Satele has no shortage of fuel for his 'round-the-clock routine. For one, there's the ticking of his collegiate clock. Since coming out of Word of Life in 2005, Satele redshirted his first year and contributed primarily on special teams the past two seasons, his progress at linebacker hampered by a string of nagging injuries. He registered five tackles in 12 games last fall while nursing hamstring and shoulder ailments, but enjoyed a healthy run at spring drills while backing up Solomon Elimimian at inside linebacker. He's also picking up tips on playing the outside spots this summer in hopes that his versatility will lead to a more prominent role in a deep linebacker corps come fall."
About how he's been waiting for playing time, Brashton said:
"I've been waiting -- hopefully this is my time to get out there and make some plays in front of the fans. Two more years, I have to show what I've got. ... That's why I keep busting my butt every morning." (HSB)
Impressed with Brashton's hard work between their Sugar Bowl game and the start of spring practice, Mack said:
"I saw him just work out constantly. He worked to get faster, he worked to get stronger, he worked to improve his body. This is something that's important to him. I think (UH defensive coordinator/linebackers coach) Cal Lee has done a great job of coaching him and having him grow as a linebacker. ... He's one of our top linebackers right now, so we have to get him on the playing field." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Thoughts of the Warriors' season-opening meeting with Florida also bounce Satele out of bed each morning. The Gators are, after all, the nation's top-ranked team -- according to several preseason publications -- led by Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow."
About how the Florida game motivates him, even though it is nearly 2 months away, Brashton said:
Though the afternoon of Aug. 30 in the sweltering Swamp remains nearly two months off, "it's a couple days away to me. I just feel like it's coming up really fast. When you think you can't run any more, you have to push through. You want to be dying in workouts, not during the game. Every morning I think, 'What are Tebow and the Gators doing?' It wakes me up every day, just keeps me pushing." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Over his first three years at UH, Satele has had to push through numerous physical aches and the accompanying frustration. But he has ready resources in dealing with the ups and downs of college athletics. His parents each carved out a successful career in Manoa. His dad, Alvis Satele, was a standout linebacker in the 1980s. LeeAnn, then Pestana, won two national championships with the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team."
About Brashton, LeeAnn Satele said:
"We want him to create his own identity and he is. He takes on a lot of traits of his dad, real friendly, a people person, works hard. He really respects his dad and what he has done there. But at the same time his dad pushes him to create his own identity." (HSB)
Friday, July 4, 2008
Central Arkansas might fill the 2009 season opening spot
About how Mack asked to open 2009 with a D-IAA team, JD said:
"Coach (Greg) McMackin has asked to play a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA) opponent in the beginning as do many of the Bowl Championship Series programs. Based upon who we have already scheduled in 2009, we already have a pretty good non-conference schedule so I believe an FCS school could be appropriate." (HA)
HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i is negotiating with the University of Central Arkansas to be its season-opening opponent for 2009, UH officials confirmed yesterday. UH has been scrambling to fill the Sept. 5 slot for months after Navy asked out of the date to play at Ohio State for a reported $1.4 million guarantee. UH will still play Navy in 2009, but the date has been moved to what had been a Nov. 21 open date. Navy will receive $29,000 plus 145 roundtrip airfares, 75 hotel rooms and ground transportation from UH."
HA Note: "UH is scheduled to play Wisconsin and Navy here as well as Washington State and Nevada-Las Vegas on the road in 2009. UH would play back-to-back road games at Pullman, Wash., and Las Vegas the weeks after Central Arkansas, if the game is signed. Associate athletic director Carl Clapp, who has been handling schedule talks, said UH has dates and terms in mind but no contract has been finalized. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Central Arkansas asked for a Thursday (Sept. 3) or Friday (Sept. 4) date rather than Sept. 5 to better recover from the trip before playing in-state rival Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Donovan said he is opposed to Sept. 3, but might consider Sept. 4 after talking with Aloha Stadium officials and others. UH is said to be offering Central Arkansas $125,000 in cash plus travel, hotels and meals.
Central Arkansas made the transition from Division II to I-AA in 2005 and joined the Southland Conference in 2006. The Bears were 6-5 last season, including a 28-7 season-opening loss at Louisiana Tech. Central Arkansas plays Tulsa in 2008."
About playing Central Arkansas on a Friday, JD said:
"Playing on Friday might not be a bad deal for us, in that we'd have an extra day to get ready for Washington State." (HSB)
Hoping to complete their 2009 schedule by the start of their season, JD added:
"If it's October, it's not the end of the world." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Donovan said UH has received its Sugar Bowl payment from the Western Athletic Conference, which distributes bowl shares to the member schools. UH's net of $2.2 million was to help to balance the budget for the 2008 fiscal year. "
"Coach (Greg) McMackin has asked to play a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA) opponent in the beginning as do many of the Bowl Championship Series programs. Based upon who we have already scheduled in 2009, we already have a pretty good non-conference schedule so I believe an FCS school could be appropriate." (HA)
HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i is negotiating with the University of Central Arkansas to be its season-opening opponent for 2009, UH officials confirmed yesterday. UH has been scrambling to fill the Sept. 5 slot for months after Navy asked out of the date to play at Ohio State for a reported $1.4 million guarantee. UH will still play Navy in 2009, but the date has been moved to what had been a Nov. 21 open date. Navy will receive $29,000 plus 145 roundtrip airfares, 75 hotel rooms and ground transportation from UH."
HA Note: "UH is scheduled to play Wisconsin and Navy here as well as Washington State and Nevada-Las Vegas on the road in 2009. UH would play back-to-back road games at Pullman, Wash., and Las Vegas the weeks after Central Arkansas, if the game is signed. Associate athletic director Carl Clapp, who has been handling schedule talks, said UH has dates and terms in mind but no contract has been finalized. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Central Arkansas asked for a Thursday (Sept. 3) or Friday (Sept. 4) date rather than Sept. 5 to better recover from the trip before playing in-state rival Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Donovan said he is opposed to Sept. 3, but might consider Sept. 4 after talking with Aloha Stadium officials and others. UH is said to be offering Central Arkansas $125,000 in cash plus travel, hotels and meals.
Central Arkansas made the transition from Division II to I-AA in 2005 and joined the Southland Conference in 2006. The Bears were 6-5 last season, including a 28-7 season-opening loss at Louisiana Tech. Central Arkansas plays Tulsa in 2008."
About playing Central Arkansas on a Friday, JD said:
"Playing on Friday might not be a bad deal for us, in that we'd have an extra day to get ready for Washington State." (HSB)
Hoping to complete their 2009 schedule by the start of their season, JD added:
"If it's October, it's not the end of the world." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Donovan said UH has received its Sugar Bowl payment from the Western Athletic Conference, which distributes bowl shares to the member schools. UH's net of $2.2 million was to help to balance the budget for the 2008 fiscal year. "
UH will be holding camps for Hawaii's youth
About the camps they will be hosting for Hawaii's youth, Mack said:
"We're Hawaii's team and we're running this clinic, not to make money, but to bring kids in to our program so we can see them, they can be with us and can learn the fundamentals and skills and be better football players. For us, it's a chance to get acquainted with the kids of Hawaii from the little guys on up. ... We want the kids to have fun and just get introduced to the University of Hawaii." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The series opens with the Kid's Camp (ages 5-12) on July 12 and 13. Players ages 13 and up can sign up for the Skills Camp (for receivers, defensive backs, quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends) set for July 15-18. The Big Man's Camp for linemen ages 13 and older is July 21-23."
About their trip to American Samoa, Mack said:
"I think it's really going to bring a lot to the University of Hawaii. It was a dream of (Jones') and I think we're really going to benefit from it." (HSB)
About how they have to start focusing soon on Fall Camp and the season opener, Mack said:
"It's been busy but fun. I'm going to have to crank it down here pretty soon because we're getting into serious football time. I've gotten a chance to meet a lot of people, but now it's time to get down to football. We've been thinking about Florida, Weber (State) and Oregon State. We've been working on those." (HSB)
"We're Hawaii's team and we're running this clinic, not to make money, but to bring kids in to our program so we can see them, they can be with us and can learn the fundamentals and skills and be better football players. For us, it's a chance to get acquainted with the kids of Hawaii from the little guys on up. ... We want the kids to have fun and just get introduced to the University of Hawaii." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The series opens with the Kid's Camp (ages 5-12) on July 12 and 13. Players ages 13 and up can sign up for the Skills Camp (for receivers, defensive backs, quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends) set for July 15-18. The Big Man's Camp for linemen ages 13 and older is July 21-23."
About their trip to American Samoa, Mack said:
"I think it's really going to bring a lot to the University of Hawaii. It was a dream of (Jones') and I think we're really going to benefit from it." (HSB)
About how they have to start focusing soon on Fall Camp and the season opener, Mack said:
"It's been busy but fun. I'm going to have to crank it down here pretty soon because we're getting into serious football time. I've gotten a chance to meet a lot of people, but now it's time to get down to football. We've been thinking about Florida, Weber (State) and Oregon State. We've been working on those." (HSB)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Feature on UH's football camp
HA Note: "Most football campers receive helpful tips, a sunburn and a commemorative T-shirt. Last year, Christian Vasconcellos came away with a $15,000-a-year University of Hawai'i football scholarship."
About getting a scholarship offer from UH after attending their camp, Christian said:
"I was shocked." (HA)
About being one of several hundred high school players who attended last year's first UH football camp, Christian said:
"Being that it was a camp with no pads, I didn't expect anything, maybe a questionnaire. On the last day, (the UH coaches) offered me a scholarship. I was pretty surprised." (HA)
HA Note: "This season, under first-year UH head coach Greg McMackin, the camp has expanded. There will be three separate camps at the school's grass practice fields:
# Kids Camp, ages 5 to 12, July 12 to 13.
# Skills Camp, ages 13 and older, July 15 to 18.
# Big Man's Camp, ages 13 and older, July 21 to 23."
About the importance of camps, Chris Fetters (West Coast director for scout.com and superprep.com) said:
"A lot of times, guys go to the Mainland not for better opportunities, but because they're not feeling the love from the home school. This is one of the ways they can go out there and get their faces in front of the (UH) coaches, and build that bridge of trust. I think it's a great deal — for the players and for the coaches, who have the run of the entire state. They're the only Division I (program) in the state." (HA)
HA Note: "The camp helped cornerback Kawika Ornellas, who will be an invited UH walk-on this year. Ornellas has been likened to Kenny Patton, a former UH cornerback now with the New York Jets. Patton served as a guest instructor last year, working closely with Ornellas."
About catching UH's attention at the camp, invited walk-on Kawika Ornellas said:
"It definitely helped get me noticed. And I learned a lot." (HA)
About how he learned several techniques at the camp that helped him be on the Advertiser's All-State first team last year, Christian said:
"Your (high school) team can teach you the basics. The camp taught us everything. It made me a better player." (HA)
HA Note: "Fetters, who is based in Washington, said the camp helps showcase some of the best prospects in the country. Fetters said Hawai'i has produced more NFL prospects, per capita, than any other area."
About the success of prospects from Hawaii, Fetters said:
"The kids on the Islands build up core strength at an early age, from either surfing or running on the beach. They're naturally outside all of the time. They're not like that TV generation. They're always out and active. By doing that, you grow up and build a nice base to be a real solid athlete." (HA)
About how Hawaii is developing more skill players, Fetters said:
"Colleges are always looking for those great athletes they can mold into the kind of player they want. Not only does Hawai'i have a lot of pure athletes, the kids are extremely well grounded. They're brought up in good families. In my time on the Islands, I understand how important family is over here. It lends itself to putting great athletes out there." (HA)
About getting a scholarship offer from UH after attending their camp, Christian said:
"I was shocked." (HA)
About being one of several hundred high school players who attended last year's first UH football camp, Christian said:
"Being that it was a camp with no pads, I didn't expect anything, maybe a questionnaire. On the last day, (the UH coaches) offered me a scholarship. I was pretty surprised." (HA)
HA Note: "This season, under first-year UH head coach Greg McMackin, the camp has expanded. There will be three separate camps at the school's grass practice fields:
# Kids Camp, ages 5 to 12, July 12 to 13.
# Skills Camp, ages 13 and older, July 15 to 18.
# Big Man's Camp, ages 13 and older, July 21 to 23."
About the importance of camps, Chris Fetters (West Coast director for scout.com and superprep.com) said:
"A lot of times, guys go to the Mainland not for better opportunities, but because they're not feeling the love from the home school. This is one of the ways they can go out there and get their faces in front of the (UH) coaches, and build that bridge of trust. I think it's a great deal — for the players and for the coaches, who have the run of the entire state. They're the only Division I (program) in the state." (HA)
HA Note: "The camp helped cornerback Kawika Ornellas, who will be an invited UH walk-on this year. Ornellas has been likened to Kenny Patton, a former UH cornerback now with the New York Jets. Patton served as a guest instructor last year, working closely with Ornellas."
About catching UH's attention at the camp, invited walk-on Kawika Ornellas said:
"It definitely helped get me noticed. And I learned a lot." (HA)
About how he learned several techniques at the camp that helped him be on the Advertiser's All-State first team last year, Christian said:
"Your (high school) team can teach you the basics. The camp taught us everything. It made me a better player." (HA)
HA Note: "Fetters, who is based in Washington, said the camp helps showcase some of the best prospects in the country. Fetters said Hawai'i has produced more NFL prospects, per capita, than any other area."
About the success of prospects from Hawaii, Fetters said:
"The kids on the Islands build up core strength at an early age, from either surfing or running on the beach. They're naturally outside all of the time. They're not like that TV generation. They're always out and active. By doing that, you grow up and build a nice base to be a real solid athlete." (HA)
About how Hawaii is developing more skill players, Fetters said:
"Colleges are always looking for those great athletes they can mold into the kind of player they want. Not only does Hawai'i have a lot of pure athletes, the kids are extremely well grounded. They're brought up in good families. In my time on the Islands, I understand how important family is over here. It lends itself to putting great athletes out there." (HA)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The Advertiser accepted UH's apology and dropped their lawsuit
HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i has issued an apology, promised improved openness, and will pay The Honolulu Advertiser's attorney fees in return for the newspaper dropping its six-week-old lawsuit, it was announced yesterday. The Advertiser filed suit May 23 in circuit court in an effort to get the university to disclose a complete list of the people who traveled to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in conjunction with UH and the expenses for the trip. Under the terms of the settlement, UH will pay $6,000 in attorney's fees. The suit was dropped yesterday, according to The Advertiser's attorney, Jeff Portnoy."
Apologizing to the Advertiser, JD said:
"We apologize to The Honolulu Advertiser and the public that they represent that it took so long to provide the information. The information has been provided to The Advertiser and we have made a commitment to work closely with The Advertiser and their reporters to get information out in a more timely manner." (HA)
HA Note: "Donovan, who replaced Herman Frazier in March, was not at UH when the travel policy was drawn up or the information request was initiated. Frazier, in consultation with the Manoa Chancellor's Office and the school's counsel, set the travel policy, according to UH officials."
Happy about the outcome of their lawsuit, Advertiser Editor Mark Platte said:
"We are pleased to have prevailed in this lawsuit and are satisfied with the assurances the University of Hawai'i and athletic director Jim Donovan have given us that they will comply with public records requests in a timely manner as required by law,." (HA)
About the lawsuit, Portnoy said:
"This lawsuit should never have been necessary as these records were clearly public, and hopefully, the university will be more attentive to the necessity to comply with state open records laws going forward." (HA)
Apologizing to the Advertiser, JD said:
"We apologize to The Honolulu Advertiser and the public that they represent that it took so long to provide the information. The information has been provided to The Advertiser and we have made a commitment to work closely with The Advertiser and their reporters to get information out in a more timely manner." (HA)
HA Note: "Donovan, who replaced Herman Frazier in March, was not at UH when the travel policy was drawn up or the information request was initiated. Frazier, in consultation with the Manoa Chancellor's Office and the school's counsel, set the travel policy, according to UH officials."
Happy about the outcome of their lawsuit, Advertiser Editor Mark Platte said:
"We are pleased to have prevailed in this lawsuit and are satisfied with the assurances the University of Hawai'i and athletic director Jim Donovan have given us that they will comply with public records requests in a timely manner as required by law,." (HA)
About the lawsuit, Portnoy said:
"This lawsuit should never have been necessary as these records were clearly public, and hopefully, the university will be more attentive to the necessity to comply with state open records laws going forward." (HA)
Record $29.6 mil Athletic Budget for UH
HA Note: "The projection currently carries with it a forecast for a $2 million deficit that the athletic department may need help from the university administration in overcoming, especially if travel costs continue to escalate, athletic director Jim Donovan said. The projected budget will keep UH in the running with Boise State for the largest budget in the nine-school Western Athletic Conference. Boise State officials have asked the Idaho State Board of Education to authorize a $29.4 million budget."
About how they made a small profit last year, JD said:
"We're still putting the final touches on it but, right now, it looks right now we'll come in the black a little bit at about $29.15 million." (HA)
HA Note: "Any surplus would be used to help pay down the $4.4 million accumulated net deficit acquired over the previous five years, Donovan said. That tide of red ink would have risen significantly if not for the Warriors' appearance in the Sugar Bowl, Donovan said. The Warriors' share of the WAC's Bowl Championship Series payout is $4,385,555. After expenses, UH has said it expects to realize about $2.2 million, which will be used to level the 2007-08 balance sheet."
About the importance of the BCS money, JD said:
"Without it we'd absolutely have been in the red." (HA)
About how the Athletic Department has been working with the Manoa Chancellor's Office to try to reduce their projected deficit, JD said:
"We've closed the gap quite a bit and think we might be able to close it some more." (HA)
HA Note: "Of increasing concern, UH officials said, are rising fuel prices that have heavily impacted travel. Donovan said airline costs have more than doubled for some destinations, forcing UH to significantly reduce charter flights. Through ticket sales, sponsorships and television and radio rights athletics pays for approximately 88 percent to 90 percent of its annual operating budget. The university helps support tuition waivers and lower campus maintenance, officials said."
Ferd wrote in the HA: "When it takes the largest payout to a non-BCS signatory member in history just to have a shot to balance your budget, there is something wrong. OK, a lot.
And that is what we're told it has taken — approximately $2.2 million from UH's Sugar Bowl payout of $4,385,555 after expenses — for UH to project a balanced annual budget for the fiscal year that closed Monday. Final returns are pending an outside audit.
Without the windfall from a 12-1 season, UH would have incurred some serious debt. As if the $4.4 million accumulated net deficit over the previous five years wasn't sobering enough.
Which brings up the question of how an athletic program that took 11-3 and 12-1 football seasons to the bank the past two years could be struggling that much financially? How, indeed, do you attract a 23-year high in average home football attendance (41,325) and not be able, at the very least, to balance your books without a BCS windfall?
Worse yet, if the bottom line is that tight in a once-in-a-lifetime season, what happens if, heaven forbid, you suffer a down year?"
About how they made a small profit last year, JD said:
"We're still putting the final touches on it but, right now, it looks right now we'll come in the black a little bit at about $29.15 million." (HA)
HA Note: "Any surplus would be used to help pay down the $4.4 million accumulated net deficit acquired over the previous five years, Donovan said. That tide of red ink would have risen significantly if not for the Warriors' appearance in the Sugar Bowl, Donovan said. The Warriors' share of the WAC's Bowl Championship Series payout is $4,385,555. After expenses, UH has said it expects to realize about $2.2 million, which will be used to level the 2007-08 balance sheet."
About the importance of the BCS money, JD said:
"Without it we'd absolutely have been in the red." (HA)
About how the Athletic Department has been working with the Manoa Chancellor's Office to try to reduce their projected deficit, JD said:
"We've closed the gap quite a bit and think we might be able to close it some more." (HA)
HA Note: "Of increasing concern, UH officials said, are rising fuel prices that have heavily impacted travel. Donovan said airline costs have more than doubled for some destinations, forcing UH to significantly reduce charter flights. Through ticket sales, sponsorships and television and radio rights athletics pays for approximately 88 percent to 90 percent of its annual operating budget. The university helps support tuition waivers and lower campus maintenance, officials said."
Ferd wrote in the HA: "When it takes the largest payout to a non-BCS signatory member in history just to have a shot to balance your budget, there is something wrong. OK, a lot.
And that is what we're told it has taken — approximately $2.2 million from UH's Sugar Bowl payout of $4,385,555 after expenses — for UH to project a balanced annual budget for the fiscal year that closed Monday. Final returns are pending an outside audit.
Without the windfall from a 12-1 season, UH would have incurred some serious debt. As if the $4.4 million accumulated net deficit over the previous five years wasn't sobering enough.
Which brings up the question of how an athletic program that took 11-3 and 12-1 football seasons to the bank the past two years could be struggling that much financially? How, indeed, do you attract a 23-year high in average home football attendance (41,325) and not be able, at the very least, to balance your books without a BCS windfall?
Worse yet, if the bottom line is that tight in a once-in-a-lifetime season, what happens if, heaven forbid, you suffer a down year?"
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