Thursday, December 13, 2001
University of Hawaii president Evan Dobelle met for 1 12 hours yesterday with coaches from almost every sport played at the school in an attempt to identify long-term goals and get an idea of what would be needed to achieve them. Dobelle, coaches
discuss UH futureBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comDobelle told the group he wants the department to compete for the Sears Cup, which goes to the top overall athletic program in the nation.
"For that to happen, we'll need more money and upgrade every sport across the board," basketball coach Riley Wallace said. "The Sears Cup hasn't been the goal in the past. We've been just trying to exist."
The group also discussed whether changing UH's conference affiliation (most UH teams compete in the Western Athletic Conference) would help meet the goals of more on-field success and winning national championships. Dobelle also expressed interest in expanding UH's athletic recruiting and fan base in Asia and Australia.
One meeting participant said it would take a $10 million increase to the current $16 million annual budget to become one of the nation's best overall programs.
"We have to find the resources. That's my job," Dobelle said. "Their job is to come up with a strategic plan for what resources are needed.
"I was happy to meet some coaches I hadn't met yet," he added. "One thing I was able to determine is that they are all interested in achieving excellence."
He said he put the onus on the coaches.
"We need to have a plan. What's the plan? They're telling me they need improved facilities and money for recruiting. My whole idea is to ramp up the department. Previously they just looked at their shoes. I told them I need you guys to dream the dream and tell me what you need to compete."
Dobelle said he wants the athletic department to have a plan ready to present to UH's Board of Regents meeting in May.
"I want to include the (UH) Hilo coaches in the process," Dobelle said.
Dobelle also said the group talked about the possibility of starting junior college sports at the state's community colleges.
"Using the community colleges as a feeder program would be an excellent idea," Wallace said. "It would be so good for the local kids."
As for conference affiliation, there is no consensus. But a quick survey of opinions expressed at the meeting indicates the coaches have no burning desire to leave the WAC immediately. Several other conferences were discussed, as was going independent in football (June Jones returned from the mainland yesterday and was not at the meeting, but he did meet with Dobelle on Sunday).
Wallace said he likes the WAC "for now."
"There's good and bad things about every conference," Wallace said. "What the president has to do is see what's best for everybody. And right now, it's the WAC."
First-year baseball coach Mike Trapasso said the WAC is a "better baseball league than the Mountain West.
"But there are natural rivalries and better travel considerations in the Mountain West," said Trapasso, citing San Diego State, Brigham Young and UNLV.
Volleyball coach Dave Shoji said returning to the Big West would help his program, but like the other coaches, wants what's best overall.
"We had some natural rivalries. If it would be at all advantageous for the school, we would welcome that change," Shoji said. "It's not a personal thing. I'm not advocating we move because of volleyball. We need to move because it's good for the whole university if we move."
In women's basketball, the WAC is much stronger with this year's addition of national powerhouse Louisiana Tech. Even if Hawaii loses both its games to the Lady Techsters, it can help its strength of schedule and make it easier to get into postseason play.
"I think it went well. It wasn't just a gesture on Dobelle's part," Trapasso said. "I mostly listened, since I'm the new kid on the block. He wants to make sports a selling point for the university and the state. He was telling us, 'We're here for you. Let me know what things we need to focus on.'"
Women's basketball coach Vince Goo came out of the meeting sure of one thing.
"(Dobelle's) the leader and he's going to lead," Goo said.
Athletic director Hugh Yoshida did not attend the meeting, but could have if he wanted to, Dobelle said.
Al Chase, Cindy Luis and Grace Wen
of the Star-Bulletin contributed to this report
University of Hawaii
