Virginia won't play Hawai'i

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Showing its cavalier attitude toward commitments, Virginia has backed out of an agreement to play the University of Hawai'i football team in 2003.

"They say it's because of 'a scheduling conflict,' but it's apparent they don't want to play us," UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida said. "It might end up being a good thing for us."

Yoshida said Alabama has reached a conditional agreement to replace Virginia. Alabama is appealing an NCAA probation that restricts the Crimson Tide from competing in the postseason for two years. If Alabama loses the appeal, it will play the UH in 2003. If Alabama wins the appeal, it will not play UH, and Yoshida said, "We'll explore other options."

This is the second time Virginia has canceled a game against the Warriors. The teams were to meet last season, but the Cavaliers, citing the familiar "scheduling conflict," asked if the game could be postponed until Nov. 29, 2003.

"I have no comment on why Virginia doesn't want to play us," UH coach June Jones said. "It seems like it could have been a good game. We'll move on."

UH and Virginia are bound by the original contract, which does not include a financial penalty for a team withdrawing. Yoshida said Virginia has offered to find a replacement if Alabama decides not to play.

Since Jones took over as UH head coach in 1999, Notre Dame, Purdue, Texas and Iowa State have canceled or postponed games against the Warriors. "It's a testament to June's coaching," UH associate athletic director Jim Donovan said.

Donovan announced that this season's games at Brigham Young and Fresno State will be televised nationally on ESPN. Those games will be moved to Friday nights.

Donovan said ESPN indicated it will televise the Thanksgiving weekend game between UH and Washington State. That game also might be moved to Friday. Donovan said details will be known before late July, when season tickets will be mailed.