WAC directors mum after
first day of annual meetings

The board plans to vote today on issues ranging
from Karl Benson's contract to instant replay

KAANAPALI >> The Western Athletic Conference board of directors made only one decision that it was willing to disclose to the public on the first real work day of its annual meetings. And that is this -- what happens in the Sheraton Maui conference rooms, stays in the Sheraton Maui conference rooms.

At least it did yesterday.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson and University of Hawaii chancellor Peter Englert promised to be more forthcoming today, but yesterday politely rebuffed questions about the board's strategic and marketing plans, and said no voting on issues occurred.

Most of yesterday was spent getting acquainted with one another as the WAC is adding Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State in the upcoming school year.

"I think we have a very good group," Englert said. The only thing he revealed about the strategy and marketing plans is, "We now have higher expectations."

"We had some very positive discussions, but we did not take any action," Benson added.

Englert said the board did not vote on rolling over Benson's three-year contract, which Benson said is something that, in the past, was done on the first work day. That will likely occur today, along with votes on the use of instant replay in football games and a proposal from the WAC council (athletic directors and other department officials) to drop the 6-credit rule pertaining to eligibility in bowl games.

"We will come to some decisions of interest (today)," Benson said.