BOISE, Idaho >> Murray Cape's name stands out among the list of Western Athletic Conference Football Media Day attendees because he is the only one here without a direct attachment to the conference -- at least for now. WAC could
get bowl tie-inBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comCape is the director of the GMAC Bowl, which currently matches the No. 2 team from Conference USA against the sNo. 2 team from the Mid-American Conference. But it appears that Cape is doing more than just hanging out in Boise (which is a long way from Mobile, Ala., where the GMAC Bowl is played) and an announcement involving a WAC tie-in could be forthcoming.
WAC commissioner Karl Benson did say last night that an announcement will be made soon regarding the WAC representative's opponent in the Humanitarian Bowl, which is played here. Right now, the out-of-WAC team is listed as "at large," but, "We're looking at another BCS conference tie-in, like Clemson last year," Benson said.
Is that him?: One of Boise's biggest sports celebrities was at a fundraiser for the Humanitarian Bowl last night. Bill Buckner, a solid Major League Baseball player who is best known for an error that helped cost the Boston Red Sox the 1986 World Series, has lived in Boise the past eight years.
In Boise, they think of Buckner as a successful local businessman and supporter of Boise State sports, not as a goat.
"There's a lot for me to do here that I enjoy," Buckner said. "I work in real estate and some other interests."
Heather Cox is another Boise resident familiar to sports fans in Hawaii. Cox, the former Pacific volleyball star, is an ESPN personality who reports on college volleyball, football, basketball and soccer.
She said she looks for good things from the UH volleyball team this fall.
"After all those memorable battles as a player against (UH coach) Dave Shoji at Klum Gym, I learned that Hawaii is always going to be tough," Cox said. "They've got two or three of the most talented players in the country."
He'll do fine: Fresno State coach Pat Hill has no doubt that his former quarterback, David Carr, will succeed with the expansion Houston Texans.
"The biggest problem Dave will have early is trying to do too much," Hill said. "He's got a good offensive coordinator in Chris Palmer."
Here and there: UH coach June Jones was scheduled to arrive late today, meaning he missed this morning's golf tournament to promote the Humanitarian Bowl. ... UH was scheduled to unveil its All-American campaign for offensive lineman Vince Manuwai today. The theme is "V-Man." ... Boise State is in the process of installing AstroPlay on its famous blue football field (replacing AstroTurf), after a long court battle with Fieldturf over patent claims.