Hawaii, Navy
game in works

Frazier and Jones are also
looking into a possible
game at Florida

Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier still has work to do in filling two football schedule openings for 2006, but he said UH and Navy have had "some real good discussions" about a possible game at Aloha Stadium as early as 2007.

Frazier said he has had recent conversations with Midshipmen coach Paul Johnson and athletic director Chet Gladchuck. Neither was available for comment late yesterday, but a Navy athletic department spokesman said a game at Hawaii is in the making.

"Hawaii is a very attractive opponent for us," Scott Strasemeier said. "In 1999 there was a great Navy presence and we had a very positive experience."

UH beat Navy 48-41 in 1999 at Aloha Stadium in the only football meeting between the schools.

Johnson was named the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year after last season, in which Navy went 10-2, including a 34-19 victory over New Mexico in the Emerald Bowl.

Johnson was Hawaii offensive coordinator from 1987 to 1994 under Bob Wagner. Former UH players Ken Niumatalolo and Ivin Jasper are on Johnson's Navy staff.

Hawaii coach June Jones said he is excited about the prospect of playing Navy.

"I advocate playing an academy team every year. Any time we play a military team not only does it benefit some of the finest young men in our country, it's also a smart thing on our part. Because of our military presence here, we can sell 10 to 15 thousand more tickets," Jones said.

Jones said he and Frazier had a brief discussion about scheduling a game at Florida in 2006.

"But Herman wasn't sure that was the right time to do it, since we're opening at Alabama," Jones said.

Although UH could conceivably save on travel costs by going to Florida straight from Alabama, Frazier has said he doesn't want to schedule more than one powerhouse nonconference road opponent per season.

"Maybe in 2007 or 2008," Jones said. "Even before we signed for the game at Alabama, I was hoping to play Florida at Florida. Now with Urban Meyer coaching there I really want to do it. With his offense and our offense I think it could be one of the most watched games of the season. It would be very exciting as a season opener."

Frazier also said he and UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick have been talking about expanding their contract that has the Rebels playing here in 2006 and at Las Vegas in 2007 to a continuing series.

The UH athletic director also said he plans to talk to BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe about resurrecting that series. The Warriors and Cougars haven't met in football since 2002.

Also, Frazier announced the committee that will evaluate the bids submitted for UH TV rights.

Vice chancellor for academic affairs Neal Smatresk, associate athletic directors Tom Sadler and John McNamara, volleyball coach Dave Shoji and Frazier comprise the committee.

KHNL/KFVE (Channels 8 and 5) and Oceanic Time Warner submitted bids.

"We want to give opportunities for everybody in the state to watch something," Frazier said, when asked about the requirement in the request for proposals regarding over-the-air programming.

The current contract, held by KHNL/KFVE, ends June 30.

UH made around $1.5 million last year on TV rights (including bonuses from cable pay-per-view), Frazier said. The school will likely make at least that much in its new contract.

Oceanic's plans include creating a cable channel dedicated entirely to sports if it wins the bid.