WAC board to decide
on instant replay

The Western Athletic Conference board of directors will decide next month on Maui if the league will implement a form of instant replay in football this fall.

The board, comprised of presidents and chancellors of the WAC's universities, will also vote for the second time in three years on dropping the six-credit rule that affects eligibility for postseason football games.

The WAC's annual board meeting is June 5-7 in Lahaina, commissioner Karl Benson said.

The WAC council, made up of the league's athletic directors and other athletic department officials, decided during its meetings in Arizona this week to recommend adding instant replay and rescinding the six-credit rule.

In 2003, the University of Hawaii was fined $5,000 for non-compliance with the six-credit rule; UH did not certify that its football players had passed six credits in the fall semester before playing in the 2002 Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 25.

During the 2003 WAC board meeting, the board voted unanimously against dropping the six-credit rule, despite a recommendation from the WAC council to do so.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson declined to predict how the board might vote this time.

"Both issues are subject to board approval," Benson said. "I'm sure both will receive thorough debate and discussion."

The board also voted down a recommendation from the council last year to not guarantee UH a spot in the Hawaii Bowl if the Warriors are bowl-eligible. This year, the council decided not to make the recommendation again.

University of Hawaii-Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert represents UH on the WAC board. He was out of the country on business and unavailable for comment yesterday.