RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
The end of the Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium turned ugly when a fight broke out between University of Hawaii and University of Houston players.
5 Warriors to miss
1 game for fightingJune Jones will decide how
to spread out the punishments
over next year's first four games
University of Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier said the punishment meted out in the wake of the brawl that followed the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl is a lesson in accountability for those involved in the fight.
Frazier announced yesterday that six Hawaii football players violated the Western Athletic Conference's sportsmanship code in the 10-minute fight after Hawaii's dramatic 54-48 victory over Houston on Christmas Day.
Five will be suspended for one game next season; the sixth was a senior and will face another form of disciplinary action.
"This is all about accountability, and this is all a part of education," Frazier said yesterday. "This is college, and sometimes you have to be held accountable for what you do and it's part of a learning experience."
Defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan, linebackers Alika Durington and Laiana Wong, offensive lineman Larry Sauafea and defensive back Orlando Wong will each miss one of the first four games of the 2004 season.
Akpan, Durington and Laiana Wong will be juniors next season. Sauafea and Orlando Wong will be sophomores. None of the players were starters this past season.
Offensive lineman Shayne Kajioka was a senior and completed his eligibility. His penalty has yet to be determined.
"We have to come up with something creative there," Frazier said. "(Hawaii) Coach (June Jones) and I didn't go into all the details on his penalty because we really wanted to meet our deadline today. But we will figure out what that is and go from there."
WAC rules call for a suspension for players in violation of the code. Frazier said the school negotiated with the conference to have the suspensions spread out over the first four games of the season. The decision on when each player will serve his suspension will be left to Jones.
Seven other Hawaii players who were not identified will also be reprimanded for their roles in the fight. Frazier said the reprimands may include participation in an anger management course or community service.
A statement issued by Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky yesterday said several Houston student-athletes "will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension from competition." However, the release said the Houston players involved will not be identified.
Frazier said he reviewed tapes provided by ESPN, which televised the game nationally, Aloha Stadium, KITV and a Houston television station.
Frazier said the six players identified were singled out for "flagrant" actions in the fight, meaning they were determined to have thrown punches or helmets or kicked an opponent. He said those who received reprimands were involved to a lesser extent.
"There were a lot of things going on, but those were the things we could really identify and that's why they were selected," Frazier said. "You can only look at what's available to you. We don't know if there could have been some other flagrant (actions), but these are the ones who come across more than anybody else."
In addition to the suspensions, Jones said the players will also be required to perform community service. Frazier said that may include work with youth groups and clinics.
"I have supported this investigation from the beginning, and I now support Herman's final suspension decision," Jones said in a statement released by the Hawaii athletic department.
WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said the conference commended Hawaii for taking disciplinary action, but added that "this type of behavior cannot be tolerated, and I expect safeguards will be put in place to ensure that it does not happen again in the future."
Banowsky said in his statement that a "hostile environment contributed to this situation."
Frazier said the school will address the situation with the players and will look at the setup at Aloha Stadium.
"In addition to our players, who we will talk to throughout the season, I suspect we will have conversations with Aloha Stadium about game management and the like," Frazier said.
Frazier said he did not speak with Houston athletic director Dave Maggard during the review, but intends to call him today or tomorrow.
The Houston Chronicle reported last week that Maggard said the Houston players acted in self-defense.
"All I would say is, 'Look at the videotape,'" Frazier said in response.
