Tuesday, July 28, 1998

UH picked to
finish sixth

BYU is favored in
media poll to win Pacific
Division title

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

When Western Athletic Conference associate commissioner Jeff Hurd saw the ballot several weeks ago, he thought about tossing it in the waste basket.

''But you can't really do that,'' Hurd said of the island media ballot that has the University of Hawaii winning the Pacific Division title. He couldn't remember who made the stunning selection, but it was someone in either radio or television.

It was the only first-place selection for the Rainbows, who were picked to finish sixth in the annual media poll. Brigham Young University was chosen to win the Pacific Division with 20 first-place votes and 294 points.

The University of Utah was selected to finish second with 14 first-place votes and 272 points. Rounding out the Pacific Division were New Mexico (four first-place votes and 216 points), San Diego State (one first-place vote and 212 points), Fresno State (185), Hawaii (102), Texas-El Paso (90) and San Jose State (69).

Defending WAC champion Colorado State was not only an overwhelming choice to win the Mountain Division, but the league crown as well. The Rams garnered 38 of 40 first-place votes to finish with 318 points. Wyoming was a distant second with one first-place vote and 241 points.

Rounding out the Mountain Division were Air Force (228 points), Rice (one first-place vote and 219 points), Southern Methodist University (163), Texas Christian University (99), Nevada-Las Vegas (94) and Tulsa (78).

Colorado State finished with 30 votes to win the WAC title. BYU was second with five, Utah was third with two, and New Mexico, Rice and Wyoming each had one vote to win the WAC championship game to be played Dec. 5 in Las Vegas.

STILL IN LIMBO: WAC commissioner Karl Benson today compared the legal wranglings between the eight defecting schools and the eight remaining WAC members to circling the airport at JFK.

''I know they're trying to reach an agreement, but nothing concrete has been decided,'' Benson said. ''The issues are so complex, it's difficult to say what the timetable might be.''

Benson did say Hawaii president Kenneth Mortimer was still leaning toward a lawsuit.

''In fact, it's my understanding that Hawaii's attorney general is going to file a suit," Benson said. ''They claim the eight broke the law by leaving the league. But even if they do sue, I don't think it's going to change anything.''

Both sides are still working toward a settlement. The eight remaining schools have made an offer as have the eight that left.

''I think you're going to see proposals and counter-proposals until a settlement is reached,'' Benson said.

TV DEAL REACHED: Hawaii's season opener against Arizona isn't the only game that will be broadcast on ESPN2 this year. So will the Hawaii-Michigan game set for Nov. 28 at Aloha Stadium.

There had been some talk that the Hawaii-BYU game would be shown nationally, but Hurd said today that wouldn't happen.

''We have three dates we still have to fill,'' Hurd said.

''But BYU is already on five times and Hawaii will be on twice. We try to spread those things around. So, it probably won't happen.''

---

WAC coaches know
’Bows are upset
about defectors

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Three of the University of Hawaii's top rivals in the Western Athletic Conference are hoping things will thaw over the next few months and allow them to continue their long-standing relationships in football.

Brigham Young University head coach LaVell Edwards and Utah main man Ron McBride understand why the Rainbows are turning a cold shoulder toward their overtures, but they are extending the olive branches just the same.

''I know we have already had contact with them to see if we can play nonconference games in the future,'' Edwards said today. ''It's a wonderful relationship we've developed over the years. Traditionally, we're their biggest draw.

''I understand why they're upset. If I were in their position, I would be, too. But hopefully time will heal some wounds. This is a game we want to keep playing. During the 1980s, the opportunity to play a 12th game against a name opponent has helped our program.

''We don't recruit over there like we used to, but we still get a couple of kids every two years or so. But more importantly, this is one of our great rivalries. We don't want to lose it because it's a great place to go play. I think it's a natural for both of us.''

UH president Kenneth Mortimer told athletic director Hugh Yoshida not to schedule any of the eight teams that withdrew from the Western Athletic Conference two months ago. He believes Rainbow fans will accept this, despite the fact the BYU game has sold out more than any other in UH history.

McBride can't make that same claim, but the Utes have done an excellent job of recruiting in the island chain the past few years. He would like to keep that pipeline going and believes he can, even if Hawaii isn't on the schedule.

''I heard they want to put the freeze on us, which is a shame,'' McBride said. ''I believe we can still get the Hawaii kids to come here because we've established a good reputation with them.

''I understand why Hawaii is upset. I probably would be feeling like they do if the roles were reversed. I'm not sure we'll ever get them back on the schedule. I wish we could for a lot of reasons.''

Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry also wants to keep flying over to the island chain. At this point, the Falcons are scheduled to play the Rainbows in a nonconference game in the year 2000.

''But that was scheduled before the split,'' DeBerry said. ''I'm not sure how receptive they're going to be now about that game. I hope we can keep playing over there because our players enjoy the trip.

''I think we're one of the schools that has established a good rivalry over there. We always attract a big crowd because of the military connection. Sure, I feel for them. But sometimes, business decisions can get in the way.''

UH head coach Fred vonAppen isn't keen on playing teams that can use the game as a recruiting tool. On the other hand, he knows these three teams draw well at the gate.

''It's kind of a Catch-22,'' vonAppen said. ''I've said before that we shouldn't take this personally. It's business. And in these tough economic times, we need to schedule teams our fans want to see. We need to step back and see how everything plays out before making any lasting decisions.'