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Saturday, March 4, 2000
UH looks for
By Cindy Luis
Texas substitute
Star-BulletinA lot of nibbles but no bite yet.
The University of Hawaii has begun to fill the hole on its football schedule created by the anticipated departure of Texas. The Longhorns have not officially pulled out of their Sept. 2 commitment at Aloha Stadium, but UH athletic department officials are not waiting.
UH called schools yesterday from the Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA and Southeastern conferences, said Jim Donovan, UH associate athletic director.
"The schools said they'd think about it over the weekend and get back to us some time next week,'' Donovan said. "We're committed to bringing in a quality team.''
Late yesterday, Donovan finally heard back from Texas associate athletic director Bruce Worley.
"He said they were also working on a replacement team for us,'' Donovan said. "He said, 'We know we have to pay you liquidated damages.' ''
The escape clause allows Texas to back out by paying $100,000.
Worley promised that his athletic director, DeLoss Dodds, would call UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida. As of last night, Dodds had not returned Yoshida's calls.
The Texas athletic department has received numerous calls and emails from fans upset about the possible cancellation. Boosters have purchased non-refundable ticket packages for the game.
Dodds told the Austin American-Statesman newspaper that it would cost too much to fly to Hawaii via charter planes. Dodds put the cost at over $400,000; Yoshida said estimates he received were under $300,000.
The Longhorns were to receive a $175,000 guarantee for the game.
Texas is scheduled to open with three games on consecutive weekends, two on the road: at Hawaii, against Louisiana-Lafayette, then at Stanford.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
