Curran answers call
from the Rainbows

He will replace Hogue as UH's play-by-play announcer

By Dave Reardon
Special to the Star-Bulletin

A game of musical microphones in local sports radio has left Bobby Curran with a choice seat.

And Bob Hogue is without one. He says it was pulled out from under him by the University of Hawaii.

But UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida says it was a problem stemming from conflict of interest. Hogue is also sports director at KHON-TV and has a tenuous relationship with some Rainbow coaches.

"I have been notified that the athletic department has requested that there be a change in play-by-play announcers for Rainbow Sports Radio (on KCCN)," said Hogue, who has done the majority of the lead broadcasting for UH football and basketball games in the '90s. "I have been told that one or more of the coaches has requested the change and the athletic director has complied with the request."

Yoshida said the dismissal had to do with Hogue trying to "wear two hats": one as a UH promoter, the other as an objective journalist.

"Yes, some of our coaches were not happy," Yoshida said.

"A play-by-play reporter needs to be sensitive to some of the issues. There was discussion with Bob over these concerns."

Curran, a former Rainbow radio play-by-play man, will also replace Hogue as host of the weekday "Rainbow Talk Radio," reportedly as early as June 1.

"I am thrilled to be back doing Rainbow sports," Curran said today. "It's a great opportunity and I look forward to working with people like Riley Wallace, Fred vonAppen, Hugh Yoshida and some outstanding student-athletes."

Also, Russ Francis said he has already been hired to replace Curran as the host of KGU's weekday morning talk show, "The Sportspage," starting next week.

With Curran going to KCCN, a likely scenario has him handling football and basketball play-by-play, with Don Robbs continuing as the lead voice of Rainbow baseball.

Hogue said he is being replaced because - in his role at KHON - he has reported aggressively on stories involving UH sports, sometimes to the displeasure of Rainbow coaches.

Hogue said KHON's reporting of a story last season involving the suspension of three UH men's basketball players was probably the final straw. Hogue was the only reporter to state a reason for the suspensions, information which the university did not release because of confidentiality issues.

"I was really not surprised that this happened," Hogue said.

"But I have reported at least 98 percent of the stories totally positive and I am the biggest booster and fan of UH sports."