More information on punter Alex Dunnachie

HA Note: "Dunnachie, who is 6 feet 2 and 220 pouinds, is one of the top punters at the Ray Guy Academy for punters, kickers and long-snappers."

About his punting ability, Dunnachie said that he:
"consistently hit it 65, 70 yards." (HA)

About Dunnachie, who has had several punts with hang times over 5 seconds, Rick Sang (co-founder of the Ray Guy Academy) said:
"He has natural power. He looks like a college tight end." (HA)

HA Note: "Dunnachie said he has never played American football. But he has a played Australian Rules Football, which emphasizing kicking, since he was 5."

About kicking in Australian Rules Football, Dunnachie said:
"We kick it end over end, back spin, spirals." (HA)

About choosing UH, Dunnachie said:
"This place is paradise." (HA)

UH gets a commitment from a punter from Australia!

HSB Note: "Alex Dunnachie, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound punter from Australia, has orally committed to join the Warriors next season, and figures to help fill the void left by the departure of senior Tim Grasso. Dunnachie's background is in Australian Rules Football, and he is still learning the American style of kicking. Dunnachie was on his way to California to attend the Ray Guy/Prokick.com Academy's camp in Walnut Creek yesterday."

About Dunnachie, Ray Guy/Prokick.com Academy camp director Rick Sang said:
"He looks like a major college tight end. He's very talented. He's got natural power, he's got a really strong leg. ... He's a raw talent, and he's getting better." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Sang said Dunnachie worked under Nathan Chapman, who runs a kicking program in Australia, and his distance figures to improve as he refines his technique. Hawaii had success with an Australian punter in the past. Mat McBriar finished his UH career second in school history with an average of 42.22 yards per kick before going on to an NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. Sang said Dunnachie's leg strength compares favorably with McBriar and Shane Lechler of the Oakland Raiders."

JD and Mac will be in Japan for a week to market UH

About going to Japan, Mac said:
"Jim and I have a dream of going east. When I was with the 49ers we had a Japanese player (Masafumi Kawaguchi) in camp. They (the Japanese media) were crazy about it. And look what's happening in Seattle and Boston with baseball." (HSB)

HSB Note: "McMackin and Donovan have speaking engagements on coaching and sports administration scheduled over four days in a series arranged by the Pacific Rim Sports Initiative, headed by former UH football player Ross Yamasaki."

About expanding their market beyond Hawaii, JD said:
"If we're going to be more than we are, we have to look beyond Hawaii." (HSB)

JD Noted in the HSB: "no state funds were being used for the trip. McMackin said the trip was sponsored by JAL, the Oahu Visitors Bureau, Marriott and Panda Travel."

Central Arkansas is happy to open their season at Aloha Stadium

http://www.ucasports.com/sport.asp?action=news&sportid=1&article=2965

About how they will make money by playing at Aloha Stadium, University of Central Arkansas Athletic Director Brad Teague said:
“Not only is Hawaii paying all expenses of travel, ground transportation, lodging, and meals, but they will send us home with $125,000 guarantee. Additionally, the NCAA allows any program to play an extra game who plays Hawaii in the same year as incentive to get schools to travel to the islands. We are using this opportunity to play an additional home game so we are able to garner further revenues through ticket sales. This extra revenue will help our institution and program greatly." (ucasports.com)

Note: "The Bears are not eligible for postseason play until 2010 while transitioning from NCAA Division II to Division I."

UH will have their Maui Scrimmage on April 11, Warrior Bowl on April 25

UH = University of Hawaii Press Release

UH Note: "On Saturday, April 11, the Warriors will fly to Maui to hold an intrasquad scrimmage at the War Memorial Stadium beginning at 11:00 a.m. (tentative), followed by an autograph session on the field. No state funds will be used to pay for the trip and donations from McDonald’s and Oceanic Time Warner Cable, as well as support from Hawaiian Airlines and Panda Travel, and in-kind support from the County of Maui will cover the expenses.

The “Warrior Bowl” intrasquad scrimmage will be held at Aloha Stadium on Saturday, April 25, at 3:00 p.m. Prior to the game, McMackin and several UH football players will be available for autographs and photos from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on the South Endzone concourse. Fans are encouraged to bring their cameras and items to sign. Parking is $1 and fans can enter through Gate 4 beginning at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free. Beginning at 3:00 p.m., the Warriors will play the four-quarter “Warrior Bowl.” Fans are invited to sit in the stands on the Makai side of the stadium."

Happy that their sponsors will allow them to have a scrimmage and autograph session on Maui, JD said:
“We’re Hawai‘i`s Team, so we are thrilled that we’ve been able to partner with McDonald’s, Oceanic, Hawaiian Airlines, Panda Travel, and the County of Maui in making this outreach initiative a reality. Without their support, we would never have been able to take our football team to Maui and have the opportunity to interact with UH fans on a neighbor island.” (UH)


Happy that the Warriors are going to Maui, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares said:
“There is a very loyal UH football fan base on Maui — there were a lot of home-based ‘tailgate’ parties going on in my neighborhood on game day! This will be an exciting opportunity for our youth, as well as our entire community, to experience Warrior football action here on Maui and I’m gratified that the County is able to help make this happen.” (UH)


Happy to be a sponsor of UH's Maui trip, Oceanic Time Warner Cable VP Norman Santos said:
“We’re pleased to provide funding for the UH football team’s trip to Maui for this scrimmage. The citizens of Maui will be able to meet Coach McMackin and the players in person and that will certainly get them excited about the 2009 season. Aside from O‘ahu, Maui has the most pay-per-view subscribers, so UH definitely has a big following there and I’m sure the fans will really appreciate the opportunity to spend some time with the Warriors.” (UH)


Happy to be a sponsor of UH's Maui trip, McDonald's of Hawaii Region President Veronica Kaneko said:
”McDonald’s of Hawaii is a proud Corporate Partner of UH Athletics and we are happy to help support the team’s neighbor-island visit to Maui. In addition to assisting with the travel costs, we will also donate 300 Big Macs and bottles of water for the players and staff.” (UH)


Happy that their neighbor island fans will be able to see the Warriors in person, Mac said:
“As I repeatedly tell our players, we represent the state of Hawai‘i. We’re very excited about scrimmaging on a neighbor island and allowing our fans on Maui to see us in person. We have many great fans there and this is our chance to thank them personally for their support.” (UH)

Ka Leo article on the ASUH opposition to an athletics fee at UH

KL = Ka Leo O Hawaii

About how they will oppose a athletics fee until they see a formal proposal and take a student poll, ASUH President Jaime Sohn said:
"On February 10, we announced our stance in opposition to the proposal until a formal proposal and student poll is presented. We don't want to support the implementation of a fee unless the proper steps are taken, so that we can get the students' input." (KL)

KL Note: "A press release sent out by ASUH this week stated that Donovan "requested that ASUH not poll students and instead make an informed decision on their behalf.""

About how their might have been some miscommunication with ASUH about taking a student poll, JD said:
"I specifically told the subcommittee that it could be more powerful if the students were polled, but we just don't have that much time to get a referendum. ... We can't wait 12 to 18 months to get the results of a poll back." (KL)

KL Note: "In late January, the athletics department and student Senate met in an open meeting to discuss the proposed athletics fee for each full-time undergraduate student. With the athletics fee, Donovan stated that a percentage of seats to sporting events would be made available to students for free."

About how he feels that the athletic department has tried hard to communicate with ASUH regarding the proposed athletics fee, JD said:
"We did exactly what (ASUH) told us to do. (They) canceled two subcommittee meetings and we tried calling and rescheduling, because we told them that it was very time sensitive for us and we wanted to try to get something to the regents by May or June so that it can be approved for September 2009." (KL)

KL Note: "In a third meeting, the student Senate passed a resolution stating opposition to the implementation of the athletics fee."

About how he wants to avoid cutting a sport, JD said:
"I absolutely don't want to cut any sports. I think we have the right size programs for the University of Hawai'i and the state of Hawai'i. But at some point we may have to cut expenses, and we're going to have to look at possibly cutting a sport." (KL)

About the men's sports that might get cut, JD said:
"We can't cut football or men's basketball. So, that leaves baseball, men's volleyball, tennis, swimming (and diving), and golf." (KL)

KL Note: "Despite the possibility, Donovan said that the regents' meeting last Thursday and Friday gave him the sense that they won't be cutting a sport anytime in the near future."

About how UH is the only school in the WAC without a student athletics fee, JD said:
"The thing I kept telling the Senate was ask yourselves why we are one of the few schools in the country, and the only one in the Western Athletic Conference, that doesn't have a student athletics fee. What is the compelling argument or reason why we don't have it?" (KL)

http://www.kaleo.org/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=679e2a3f-60d1-4014-9148-4e3f5b2f2a0e

Mike Smith (Baltimore Ravens, Texas Tech) joins UH as a graduate assistant

Praising Mike Smith, Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach said:
"He was one of the toughest linebackers I've ever coached. He did it the hard way. He became a player through great determination, which, I think, says a lot about him. He'll be a good teacher. I can't say enough good things about him." (HA)

HA Note: "He was a four-year starter — two as team captain — at Texas Tech. He played four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, serving as All-Pro Ray Lewis' backup, before negotiating a medical buyout last summer. He officially retired two months ago. He then called UH head coach Greg McMackin, who said there might be an opening on the staff this semester. David Gilmore decided not to return."

About how Mac recruited him, Smith said:
"I was his first recruit. I've always been close to coach Mack. He believed in me since the very beginning." (HA)

About his playing style at LB, Smith said:
"I consider myself to be old school. Football should be played as a man's sport. I don't hold anything back. Football isn't a game for women or children or the faint of heart. It's a tough sport." (HA)

About joining the Ravens as a 7th round pick in 2005, joining a defense with 6 current or future All-Pros, Smith said:
"My first practice, I was already running late. They made all of the rookies tape last. I was nervous. When I got out there, (All-Pro defensive end) Terrell Suggs was just staring at me. They gave me the hardest time. But we all became good friends. I was blessed to play those years." (HA)

About how he learned from Ray Lewis, Smith said:
"He's a very intense guy. Off the field, he's the nicest person. I was lucky to play with a guy like him." (HA)

About how he and Ray Lewis (who played under Mac at Miami) would discussed Mac, Smith said:
"We always talked about the keys coach Mack told us to look for. He really helped us out a lot. Coach Mack has had such a successful career. All of the players respect him. He has so much respect in college football and the NFL. Everybody knows coach Mack. I told him: 'When I'm your age, I hope I'll have half the resume you had.' " (HA)

HA Note: "Smith said he plans to join the staff in about three weeks. He said he will assist defensive coordinator Cal Lee with the linebackers and also work with special teams coordinator Chris Tormey."

Looking forward to joining the Warriors, Smith said:
"I can't wait to meet the players, learn the system and start my coaching. I'm glad to be a Warrior. It's a great program. I'm lucky to be part of a great staff." (HA)


About how Smith's toughness will transfer to the players he coached, Leach said:
"He has that gritty tough streak that will transfer to the players he works with. He understands football is a tough game for tough people. When he left our program, that was the hardest thing to replace about him. Not just his leadership, but his toughness on the field. He's not your garden-variety guy. He's at a different level. The people in Hawai'i will enjoy that." (HA)

Associated Students of UH opposes a student fee for the athletic department

HA Note: "The Associated Students of the University of Hawai'i yesterday announced a resolution opposing the implementation of a student fee to aid the school's athletic department. The resolution, passed by a 20-1 vote Feb. 10, opposes a fee without student feedback and, in any case, the resolution says ASUH "feels that no money from this fee should be used towards salaries, administrative fees or capitol improvement projects." Release of the resolution follows by six days athletic director Jim Donovan's announced intention to a Board of Regents committee to seek help from students in retiring the department's $5.4 million accumulated debt."

About the student association's opposition of the athletics fee, JD said:
"I can appreciate where the ASUH is coming from if that's what they feel they have to do." (HA)

JD said that his job is to reduce the Athletics Department's growing deficit and he:
"will continue to look at ways, including student fees, that may be accomplished." (HA)

HA Note: "To the regents, Donovan cited student fees as a common source of revenue within the Western Athletic Conference, in particular, and college athletics, in general, that remains untapped by UH. Schools traditionally give students free or greatly reduced admission prices in exchange for fees. For example, Fresno State had a $10 fee, but recently increased it by $52 under order of president John D. Welty despite student opposition. Three years ago, San Diego State President Steven Webber imposed a $160 increase in the previous fee after a campuswide referendum voted one down. At UH, there had been talk of a $50 annual fee in 2006. Donovan said UH received approximately $50,000 per year from ASUH in the 1980s."

HA Note: "The ASUH's current resolution is a reversal from 2006 when a different ASUH senate adopted a resolution supporting the "implementation of an athletic fee." But that resolution never got to the regents, who must approve any request to impose fees."

Declining to say how much of a fee, if any, he might support, ASUH President Jaime Sohn said:
"As an elected representative of the students it would be hard for me to support any fee without seeing the proposal, hearing student input, and seeing where the money would be going. So, until a proposal is received and the proper steps have been taken I cannot accurately state a specific amount." (HA)

HA Note: "Donovan said he understood the ASUH's wish to take the issue to the student body but said he hoped it could be done in time to implement a fee for the fall semester. Donovan, who said he and administrators have twice met with student leaders since the start of the year, said he was told it could take "12 to 18 months" to get a vote and approval."

Don Weir named new Executive Director for Na Koa

UH = UH Foundation Press Release

UH Note: "The University of Hawai‘i Foundation in partnership with ‘Ahahui Koa Anuenue and the University of Hawai‘i Athletics Department, have created the new position of Executive Director for the school’s football booster club, Na Koa. Dr. Don Weir will assume the position beginning on Monday, March 2. Weir, a two-year letterwinner in football in the 1970s, is the current volunteer booster president for the UH Letterwinners Club. As executive director of Na Koa, Weir will coordinate the booster club’s fundraising campaign that supports the annual operational needs of the Warrior football program."

Happy that Weir has agreed to take this position, Na Koa President Rick Blangiardi said:
“We are very pleased and excited that Don Weir has agreed to take on this critical responsibility for Na Koa and the University of Hawai‘i football program. We are confident that Don’s passion and commitment to Warrior football will create unprecedented success for our coaches and team.” (UH)

Praising Weir, UH coach Greg McMackin said:
“Don will do a great job as our new Na Koa Executive Director. He has an excellent work ethic, is a great person, cares about the University of Hawai‘i, the state of Hawai‘i and our program. He is the final piece of the puzzle to take Na Koa to a higher level.” (UH)

Sure that Weir will do a great job with Na Koa, JD said:
“Having seen firsthand Don’s work as president of UH Letterwinners Club, I am confident of his abilities and leadership. In addition, from a personal level, I am excited that Don, as a former UH football player, has made a commitment to come home and give back to his team and university.” (UH)

Feature Interview with UH Coach Greg McMackin

About how he and Ron Lee drew plays on napkins recently, Mac said:
"I'm sitting down to lunch with my offensive coordinator. We went through a bunch of cut-ups today. We see a lot of fun things we can do." (HSB)

HSB Note: "As last season wore on, Lee took more and more heat for play calling. Some suggested McMackin was vetoing many of his calls, but there was never evidence of it, and the two remain loyal old friends."

About how they need to improve, Mac said:
"Things happened. How do you say it? There were phases that broke down. We're working to improve that. There are a lot of things we need to get better at." (HSB)

Asked last year when he would get to take a breather, Mac said:
"I don't have time. This is what I've been working toward my whole career." (HSB)

About how it is important to keep learning and work through adversity, Mac said:
"I've coached for a lot of years, but I know you have to keep learning every year. I learned it's important to really work for completion and perfection. Last year's team, they were great the way they worked through adversity, and the way they had trust in each other. They were 1-3 at one time and because everyone believed in each other, the team went to a bowl game." (HSB)

Combine Report for Ryan Mouton and David Veikune

About how his hamstring is not seriously injured and he'll run the 40 at UH's Pro Day on April 2, Mouton said:
"I'll be OK." (HA)

HA Note: "Mouton said he "popped" his left hamstring at about the 30-yard mark, and hobbled the rest of the way. Mouton was credited with an "unofficial" time of 4.48 seconds, said his agent Kenny Zuckerman."

HA Note: "Mouton said he had suffered a tight hamstring during last month's East-West Shrine Game in Houston. Mouton, who is listed at 5 feet 9 and 187 pounds, was impressive in field drills yesterday. He had a vertical jump of 39 1/2 inches, and a broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches."

About how he bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times, 4th highest at the combine, Veikune said that NFL officials had strict lifting guidelines:
"Anything that was a little off, they'd take off (the total)." (HA)

About how he set a goal of 35 reps, Veikune said:
"I reached it. Anything after that would have been great." (HA)

HA Note: "In the 40-yard dash, Veikune's announced official time was 4.87 seconds, ninth best among the linemen. But he said that was the slowest of the recordings by the three timers. One official clocked Veikune at 4.79 seconds. Veikune also completed the L-drill, which is not shown on the NFL Web site, in 4.20 seconds. Because of his success in field drills, Veikune will not compete in lifting or running drills at Pro Day. Instead, he will participate in position drills. He said he will spend the next few weeks working on his back-pedal moves."

About how he interviewed with every NFL team at the combine, Veikune said:
"(USC quarterback) Mark Sanchez said it was like speed dating." (HA)

HA Note: "Veikune said he also had one-on-one interviews with the head coaches of the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals."

UH may have a scrimmage and autograph session on Maui in April

About how their football scrimmage and autograph session at Maui's War Memorial Stadium in April is still in the proposal stage, JD said:
"We're hopeful it'll all come together." (HA)

HA Note: "The event would be part of the Warriors' spring practice. They still would play the Green-White game at Aloha Stadium."

HA Note: "But Donovan said it was important for "Hawai'i's team" to connect with fans throughout the state. Maui has the second-most pay-per-view customers of UH sports."

JD said that Teri Chang (assistant AD for facilities and operations) was raised in Maui and coordinated the UH-Montana game on Maui several years ago, and:
"is a natural fit to coordinate this." (HA)

David Veikune talked about the NFL combine

HSB Note: "Veikune ranked third among defensive linemen in the bench press with 35 repetitions of 225 pounds at the annual showcase for NFL Draft hopefuls. He also ranked fourth in the 3-cone drill with a time of 7.20 seconds and ninth in the 40-yard dash at 4.87 seconds, although he said he timed lower in his earlier runs. Veikune also had a vertical leap of 33 inches covered and 9 feet, 2 inches in the broad jump."

About the interviews were the most important thing at the combine, Veikune said:
"The main thing was the interview process. People like to focus on the physical stuff, but meeting with NFL teams and head coaches, that's the main thing you get out of it. ... I felt it was a positive experience." (HSB)

UH is hoping the WAC schedules them at home on September 26

About how they asked the WAC to not schedule UH on the road Sept. 26 because of their back-to-back road games on Sept. 12 (Washington State) and Sept. 19 (UNLV), JD said:
"that's all we can do. They have to put the schedule together the best way they can and I don't envy their job, especially this year." (HA)

About trying to accommodate UH, WAC associate commissioner Jeff Hurd said:
"We take special requests and try to balance them the best we can." (HA)

HA Note: "Complicating options for the WAC is the 2009 schedule comes with just 14 Saturday openings, one fewer than 2008, and there may be more midweek games this year under terms of the ESPN contract. Midweek games pose problems because teams that play Tuesday or Wednesday nights don't play Saturday of the same week. UH, because of its travel, is not required to play midweek.

Under the WAC's TV contract, ESPN first selects the games it wants and works out the dates with the conference. For example, two years ago ESPN chose to have the UH-Boise State showdown placed on Nov. 23, the penultimate weekend of the regular season.

Then, the rest of the conference schedule is assembled and, generally, released by mid-February. But ESPN, which was to have made its selections by Feb. 1, has yet to do so, WAC officials said."

UH Regents have not set a deadline for JD to close the AD deficit

About how they understand it will take time to close the Athletic Department budget deficit, Board chairman Al Landon said:
"in the current (economic) environment we simply acknowledge that the challenges that our university and other universities face with athletics. There was a comment from the auditors that we need to be mindful and, absolutely, Jim is on it. There are lots of levers to pull here on how to focus on the financial aspect." (HA)

"we recognize that the financial aspects of this are pretty important and we're pleased that Jim and the entire staff are focused on making the athletic department as efficient as they can." (HA)

About when they will balance their budget, JD said:
"I did not give a timeline (for a balanced budget) because so much of it is dependent upon the economy. If the economy settles down this year, even a little bit, that will help us start to make a comeback. The first goal is to get back to a balanced budget and our second goal is to retire the accumulated deficit." (HA)

Supporting JD, Chancellor Hinshaw said:
"I have a lot of confidence in Jim (Donovan's) ability to lead." (HA)

About their "precarious" financial status, JD told a regents' committee that:
"right now the plan is to try to get to break even and I don't know (when it will happen). I know it is not possible this year. I don't know if it is possible next year. Hopefully the year following that." (HA)

Trying not to cut a sport, JD said:
"I do not want to cut a sport. Depending on how the economy continues, that could be put on the table but that is not my intent. That (cutting a sport) would be an absolutely last resort." (HA)

About how fans can help UH Athletics by attending games, JD said:
"people ask, 'How can I help?' I tell them it is as simple as buying a ticket." (HA)


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090221/SPORTS02/902210335/1312&template=UHSports

JD has to save on coaching salaries due to UH's budgetary problems

About how he'll stop the record growth of coaching salaries at UH and try to get to level off, JD said:
"Over time, as coaches change, we can lower salary amounts." (HA)

Asked if that was realistic, JD said:
"that's the reality. That would be my approach." (HA)

HA Note: "The tightening up on salaries comes as UH is running a $5.4 million deficit accumulated over the previous five years. Only a $4,385,555 Sugar Bowl payment put UH in the black for the fiscal year that closed June 30, 2008. For the year that concludes June 30, UH is currently projecting a $3 million deficit."

About how leveling off salaries at UH comes at a time where coaching salaries are rising quickly at the rest of the country, especially in football and men's basketball, JD said:
"Although (leveling salaries) would be counter to everything that is happening in the industry across the country, I think the time is changing with all the reports that I see coming out." (HA)

HA Note: "Wilton and Trapasso could be the first to test Donovan's plan. They are among those whose contracts are scheduled to expire this year."

UH might have to cut a sport

About how their "very fragile" financial state might force them to cut a sport, JD said:
"I would sort of describe it as I'm trying to save the ship from sinking and then I'll start thinking about winning the war." (HA)

"We're not spending frivolously. We don't want to cut a sport, but it may become a fiscal reality at some point. But it will only be done as the last resort." (HSB)

HA Note: "Ironically, the dire talk followed discussion of an independent auditor's report that will show the athletic department had a surplus from the 2007-08 fiscal year (ending June 30, 2008) when the audit goes to the full board today for approval. Only a $4,385,555 payment for the football team's appearance in the 2008 Sugar Bowl kept the department from a deficit for the year. Even with the Sugar Bowl, which produced a $300,000 surplus, UH has a net deficit of $5.4 million built up over the past five years, officials have said. The $300,000 was used to pay down the deficit from $5.7 million."

About the difficult financial situation of UH athletics, the audit report by Accuity LLP said:
"we believe the financial condition of UH athletics is fragile. It requires close scrutiny and monitoring both at the department and campus (levels)." (HA)

HA Note: "With UH looking at the possibility of a $3 million deficit for the current fiscal year that ends June 30, Donovan, who replaced fired Herman Frazier last March, described the department's finances as "very precarious." Donovan said cutting a sport would be a last resort if the economic picture doesn't improve. Under questioning by UH President David McClain and board members, Donovan said that men's swimming and diving, baseball, men's tennis or men's volleyball would be leading possibilities. UH last cut a sport when it dropped women's track and field in 1985 to add softball. The last men's sports cuts were track and field and wrestling in 1977."

About how they cannot cut any of their 11 women's sports or co-ed sailing, only one of the 7 men's sports, JD said:
"Only one men's program (can be cut) and it can't be football or men's basketball." (HA)

"We talk about self-sufficiency, but I am not sure we can ever be completely self-sufficient. There's a lot of revenue leakage that other athletic departments get to keep that we don't. If we don't get those revenue sources, we'll keep running at a deficit. The definition of business insanity is to keep doing the same things over and over, and expect different results. It's a disconnect." (HSB)

HA Note: "The NCAA has a formula for a minimum number of sports a school must offer to retain Division I membership, and UH could not have fewer than six to meet it. UH can't drop a women's sport until it comes into compliance with Title IX, the federal law on equality in education."

HA Note: "It is unlikely that baseball would be dropped except under the most calamitous circumstances because of the strong affinity to the sport here and the investment in the 4,312-seat Les Murakami Stadium. Though no baseball figures for the just-completed fiscal year were given yesterday, previous audits have shown the sport spending $600,000 to $900,000 more than it brings in. Men's volleyball, until recently, was a money maker, turning a $233,114 profit in 2004-05 and $29,144 in 2005-06. Figures were not available for 2007-08. Figures also weren't provided for swimming or tennis, where expenses traditionally exceed revenue."

About how nearly $25 million of their $30 million operating budget is committed to salaries, travel, scholarships and athletes' welfare, JD said:
"If you look at our operating expenses, it is fairly difficult to for us to make horizontal cuts. We would, potentially, make a vertical cut." (HA)

Asked by McClain how he would characterize UH's financial condition in comparison to the rest of the WAC, JD said:
"Through June 30, 2008, we're probably in the middle of the pack. Looking out over the next 18 months, we might be there in the hunt for the worst." (HA)

JD said that UH's operating budget of $29.5 million probably:
"puts us at one or two (in the WAC and), a lot of the schools like Idaho, Utah State and New Mexico State are probably around $13 million to $15 million, so they don't have as far to fall and won't be able to build up the net deficits that we'll be able to." (HA)

HA Note: "McClain said NCAA President Myles Brand told him that the manner in which the school subsidizes athletics at UH is the "normal rather than abnormal" model in college athletics today. McClain said that only six of more than 100 Division I programs operate on their own dime. McClain said "it is too early to tell" if the school will have to drop a sport. He said the university is bracing for a $30 million cut in the $725 million it gets from the state but the figures could change, based on the economy. Athletics generates about five-sixths of its operating budget, with the school underwriting scholarships and lower campus operations."

About how the financial situation for UH and its Athletic Department will be clearer in April, UH President McClain said:
"I think we'll know (the financial picture) better sometime in April, probably near the close of the Legislature. What Virginia (UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw) will be doing is figuring out what she's able to do for the athletic department from the central administration, and, at the same time, Jim is already taking action on his own looking for revenues and cutting expenses." (HA)

Praising JD, McClain said:
"I do feel we are progressing. We're doing very well under Jim's leadership. He understands Hawaii, the university and the business end of athletics. Sports is an important front porch for the university. With no professional teams, we have a special responsibility to Hawaii. Our athletes are Hawaii's stars." (HSB)

About how their financial statement from the 2007-2008 fiscal year was accepted by the UH Board of Regents committee on university audits, JD said:
"It is by no means a pass. They (the committee) understand how bad the economic situation is. This is the worst fiscal times of our lifetime for anyone who is 60 and younger. I'm not sure if we can ever be completely self-sufficient, but there is a lot of revenue leakage that other schools get to keep that we don't." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The athletic department does not retain any revenue from parking or concessions at sports events. Those are among the "revenue leakage" to which Donovan alluded. Another proposal being revisited is an assessment of a student-activities fee, a portion of which would go to the athletic department."

About adding a student fee for Athletics, McClain said:
"When one of my daughters went to (the University of Colorado), I saw the list of student fees. I'm not saying we have to emulate everything other schools do, but it's worth paying attention." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Various forms of a student activity fee have been presented to the UH student senate over the past several decades, each time being voted down. The effort has been made by the athletic department to boost student attendance at events, including free admission this season to men's volleyball. McClain compared attendance figures for the five theaters in the UH system to those at athletic events in pointing out the impact sports has on the community. He said that annually 150,000 attend events at the theaters as opposed to 700,000 for sports."

About their financial situation, JD said:
"The audit showed that there are some concerns, that we have to understand how we got to where we're at. The good thing is the committee understands how bad the economics are. What would help us the most? Parking revenue, concessions ... all of those would help make it easier to start paying off some of the accumulated debt. If it hadn't been for the Sugar Bowl and the Ching Foundation, we would have been in a deficit." (HSB)

Chris Tormey (former Idaho and Nevada head coach) hired as UH Special Teams Coordinator

About taking the special teams coordinator position at UH, Chris Tormey said:
"It's not about how much money you make. It's the people you're working with, and your chances to be successful. ... I'm looking to being part of a very bright future at the University of Hawai'i." (HA)

HA Note: "Tormey was head coach at Idaho (1995-99) and Nevada (2000-03). The past five seasons, he was the linebackers coach at Washington."

HSB Note: "Tormey, who has 28 years of experience, coached against UH during his tenure at Nevada from 2000 to 2003. He had been an assistant at Washington since 2004, coaching the Huskies' linebackers and serving as recruiting coordinator."

About how he looks for 3 things in a job: location, a good employer and a chance to be successful, Tormey said:
"Hawai'i's a home run on all three counts." (HA)

About wanting to work with his college coach (Mac), Tormey said:
"He coached me at the University of Idaho." (HA)

"(McMackin's) the same guy I knew as a player. I really responded to him and it's the same (with UH)." (HSB)

About Tormey as a player, Mac said:
"He was an excellent player. He was the captain, and probably our best player on defense. We were talking the other day. I remembered he had an interception. I thought he ran it back, but he got tackled on the 1, against Montana State. I think a big offensive tackle chased him down. (HA)

About how he knew that Tormey would be a good coach, Mac said:
"But I always knew he'd be a good coach. You can really tell the guys who have a good personality and a great work ethic and are good people. You know they have the potential to be a good coach. He has all of those things." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin said Tormey will work with the safeties. Associate head coach Rich Miano is in charge of the defensive secondary. Assistant head coach George Lumpkin will work with the defensive tackles. Dave Aranda is in charge of the defensive line."

About his coaching staff, Mac said:
"I'm really excited about our staff. I really feel comfortable with our staff. They all care about our players. They're experienced, and they're excellent coaches." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin said there were about 200 applicants for the recent opening. Tormey, who has recruited in Hawai'i the past decade, said he welcomes this opportunity. Tormey had successfully rebuilt a Nevada program that had fallen severely."

About joining UH, Tormey said:
"I'm coming to work for a bowl team. The winning work ethic has been established. They've got a lot of good, young talent at the University of Hawai'i." (HA)

HA Note: "Tormey said he expects to recruit in Hawai'i, Washington and California."

HA Note: "Tormey and wife, Kellie, have two daughters. One attends Washington, the other is at Yale."

About how he's kept track of Tormey's coaching career, Mac said:
"We've never coached together. We've always remained friends. I've always followed him. We've been in the same football family, as you would say. He's always been successful. I'm fortunate to have Chris and his family join us." (HA)

"He was a captain and a great player and after he graduated I followed his career. He and I have been friends and I've always admired him." (HSB)

Happy with being able to hire Tormey, Mac said:
"He's a very valued addition to the staff." (HSB)

"He's a great person and a great coach. I've known him a long time and really trust him. I think he's one of the best in the game so I'm really excited about him." (HSB)

About how he was Washington's primary recruiter in Hawaii, Tormey said:
"I know a lot of the high school coaches in Hawaii and have relationships there, so I think I'll be able to hit the ground running on recruiting." (HSB)

About the importance of special teams, Tormey said:
"I've always thought special teams is the X-factor. It's the difference between winning and losing games. The first thing is just to be sound across the board and the second thing is to make the big plays." (HSB)

Article about Coach Shaw leaving South Dakota for UH

Not surprised that Shaw left their program, University of South Dakota head coach Ed Meierkort said:
"We knew this could happen when we hired him. We're talking about one of the premier offensive line coaches in the country. He's going to double his salary, get a condo on Waikiki - I guess you have to go when that's the offer. We're going to miss him as a coach and as a friend. He's a good person." (Argus Leader)

Feature on UH recruiting from ESPN 1420 Magazine

1420 = ESPN 1420 magazine

Note: I could not find this magazine online, so I apologize in advance for any typos.

About how he discovered Greg Alexander, UH associate head football coach Rich Miano said:
"We were looking high and dry for quarterbacks. There's a book listing all the junior colleges, and I just cold-called [Santa Rosa J.C.] out of the book. I said, 'Hey, do you have a quarterback?' And they said, 'Do we have a quarterback? He threw 71 touchdowns and broke the national record, and nobody's recruiting him!' It was like a financial advisor or insurance person sitting at a desk, cold-calling people. Nick Rolovich and Ron Lee did a great job following up with [Alexander], but it all started with a cold call." (1420)

About how they are at a disadvantage in recruiting because of their distance from the mainland, Miano said:
"The distance factor is obviously a challenge. Logistically, we're at a disadvantage because we're so far away from the kids' schools. We can't be there all the time at the combines and clinics, so you don't have that presence that other schools might have." (1420)

About why their most successful players have generally come from JCs, transfers, or other countries, UH men's basketball associate coach Jackson Wheeler said:
"Yeah, there are some players we bring in that think we're still living in huts over here. A lot of them have never been to Hawaii before. That's why, throughout the history of our program, our most successful players have been our foreign, junior college and transfer players. It takes a more mature person who's used to being away from home, who really appreciates the Hawaii experience. Some high school kids don't mature as quickly as they need in order to make that adjustment." (1420)

About recruiting JC and international players, UH women's basketball assistant coach Matthew Paton said:
"Distance isn't a factor for the international kids. When they're in the United States, they're a long way from home no matter what. For them, it's a unique opportunity for them to play the sport that they enjoy and get a high-cost education. And the JC kids, they have that certain level of independence and maturity. They know what it's like to be away from mom and dad, and they know what it's like to travel on the road. So in that sense, they're already proven." (1420)

About how their lack of TV exposure (just two scheduled ESPN appearances this season) hurts their recruiting, Wheeler said:
"A few years ago, when we were on TV all the time, that really helped us. When AC [former UH guard Anthony Carter] was here, we'd have 10 exposures on ESPN. In other years we'd have at least four or five." (1420)

About how the internet has really changed recruiting, Miano said:
"I'll look at my [e-mail] inbox and have a hundred messages, and 80 of them are from recruits. Before, when I first entered coaching in 1999, you'd get these rich kids who'd pay for these recruiting services, and that's all you'd get. Now it's so much more diverse. There are so many different recruiting services, and they bombard you with e-mails with video highlights. It's made things easier, but it's also much more work. It's harder to find that 'diamond in the rough,' so to speak, because everybody has access to these services. If you're a player, somebody's going to be looking at your tape somewhere." (1420)

About the change in UH's recruiting under Mac, Miano said:
"We didn't have a camp around here for eight or nine years. Under [head coach Greg McMackin], we're having camps and clinics, and reestablishing relationships with all the local coaches. Everything is being done much more professionally in terms of structure." (1420)

About the importance of networking by recruiters, Paton said:
"With an expansive network of high school, junior college and AAU coaches that we've come to know over time, in case of an emergency we can turn around and say, 'All right, I know I can call these half-dozen people and potentially get a very good recruit on short notice.' " (1420)

About how they use the same contacts over and over for recruits, Wheeler said:
"We use a lot of the same [contacts] all the time, and they've been good to us. Take Roderick Flemings. He was in a JUCO program that had sent us players before. He was getting recruited by everybody in the country, but we just hung in there and it worked out in our favor." (1420)

About how recruiting priorities are adjusted for a number of reasons, Paton said:
"You sign a recruit expecting certain attributes to be brought to the program and develop within the program; sometimes you get all of those attributes you're hoping for, and sometimes you only get some of them. Also, injuries can throw a wrench into the works. So you always need to be flexible and fluid in your recruiting." (1420)

About how recruiters must pay attention to detail when they talk with recruits, Paton said:
"If you've recruited very well over previous years and you've built your program to a certain level, then to a certain extent your program becomes self-sustaining. The players want to be there, and they want to be a part of that success. But it definitely takes time and dedication. You have to take a personal interest in each recruit. The last thing you want is to have the recruit feel that she's just a generic name on a page. If you say, 'What position are you again?' or 'Where are you from again?' that's a conversation killer with a recruit. There's a lot of attention to detail and time invested." (1420)

About how teams are getting more aggressive in their recruiting now, Miano said:
"I think it's much more aggressive. A lot of schools will over-offer, giving more scholarships than they have. Even after kids make verbal commitments to you, other schools will continue to recruit them, hoping to change their minds with very aggressive tactics. They'll almost circumvent the rules. If the rule says you can't attend practice, they'll go in before practice starts. They're doing everything and anything to survive and provide for their livelihood. It's a very aggressive game where one big recruit can make a difference." (1420)

Asked what makes a great recruiter, Miano said:
"Certain people can sell, no matter what they're selling. Those guys are big-time recruiters because they can sell the product. Other guys can sell only if they really believe in the product, and I think I come across as one of those guys. I graduated from the University of Hawaii, I played for the University of Hawaii, and I live in the state of Hawaii. I'm very passionate about Hawaii and what I do. In the end, it's like any other job: The more you put into it, the more you get out of it." (1420)

About recruiters can never give up on a recruit, Wheeler said:
"You can't give up easily. You just have to stay competitive, and sometimes it just falls your way. We've had many great players here that, at one time, we didn't think we were going to get. A lot of recruiting is just staying on task and trying to be positive." (1420)

About how giving recruits an opportunity to get an education and play for UH is his reward, Paton said:
"My key thing is opportunity. To see a kid who has worked really hard aand who values the opportunity you're presenting her with - to get an education and play for an elite basketball program - that's the most rewarding thing." (1420)

About how he loves seeing players take their Senior Walk and get their degrees, Miano said:
"The most satisfying thing is seeing them walking the "Senior Walk" and seeing them get their diplomas. We get to see them grow from 18-year-old kids into young men, and hopefully we've taught them about punctuality, teamwork, resiliency and perseverance. A lot of these kids, they're going to go back into our community, and they're going to be able to help their community, be good people and make Hawaii a better place." (1420)