Full-Court Press
IT is becoming increasingly obvious that the WAC presidents are a little leery of the litigious highway. Suing WAC defectors
would be a no-win for HawaiiEver since the eight Mountain West schools announced their intention of busting the Western Athletic Conference union, there has been talk that a lawsuit may be filed against those thieves in the night.
The grand poobah of this saber rattling is none other than Hawaii. UH president Ken Mortimer and Rice counterpart Malcolm Gills are the strongest proponents for pursuing this matter in a higher court. But so far, they haven't convinced four of their six brethren that this is the way to go.
Oh, you read and hear from the powers that be that they have plenty of time to take the Mountain West boys to task. They'll tell you - nudge, nudge, wink, wink - that this is a slam dunk, a sure thing where millions are just waiting to be won.
But if that's true, why, after a year of studying and debating every possible outcome, has no suit been forthcoming?
ONE reason is obvious: There may be current members looking to make a leap of faith of their own. For example, Fresno State wants to keep its options open with the Mountain West. And Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University may join Conference USA someday should that league decide to expand west.
Another reality is you don't sue schools you plan to have on your schedule. Texas-El Paso can ill-afford to alienate chief rival New Mexico. "Yeah, we definitely want you to come to our fair city, and oh, by the way, you have the right to remain silent."
Mortimer told the Star-Bulletin during the summer that he wanted to normalize relations with Nevada-Las Vegas, something the Rebel contingent desires as well. But how do you make that happen if you say during the handshake, "We're still weighing our options."
UH can't seem to get through its collective noggin' that it has no real options. If during the next decade the WAC realigns itself without Hawaii in it, where are the Rainbows to go?
The Mountain West might be a possibility. After all, there are many coaches and athletic directors in the newly formed league that would welcome the Rainbows on board, provided they pay travel subsidies. But the threat of a suit would shut down that avenue.
WHAT'S even more frightening is that Hawaii may pursue a suit of its own. This from the group who tried to play hard-ball with former head coach Fred vonAppen and not only wound up paying off his contract anyway, but lost untold dollars fighting this unnecessary battle in court.
Even if UH won a substantial dollar award, there wouldn't be a conference in America that would want to have Hawaii as a member. They might come and play in paradise, but they would only be helping Hawaii further its independence.
No, the best for all concerned is to put the past in the past and move on. Both leagues emerged with two bowl bids in football, no automatic bid in basketball and a national television contract.
Granted, the eight WAC schools lost some major television dollars, but they also kept all the postseason money made by the eight departing schools.
Considering Wednesday's vote to table the motion, cooler heads may be finally seeing the clear picture that this case should be closed.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.