UH charters flight to BYU
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Hawai'i right guard Vince Manuwai stretches during afternoon practice. Manuwai, a senior, is a candidate for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy, which honor outstanding linemen.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser 2002 schedule Aug. 31 Eastern Illinois Sept. 6 at BYU Sept. 21 at UTEP Sept. 28 SMU Oct. 5 at Boise State Oct. 12 Nevada Oct. 19 Tulsa Oct. 25 at Fresno State Nov. 2 San Jose State Nov. 16 at Rice Nov. 23 Cincinnati Nov. 30 Alabama Dec. 7 San Diego State |
UH officials estimate the cost of the charter at $96,000, at least $20,000 more than it would cost to fly commercial. But UH officials insist the added expense will be off set by the money saved in hotel, meal and ground transportation fees by returning to the Islands a day earlier.
"We're under budget, anyway," UH coach June Jones said. "We've been under budget for three years. Even with taking charters three times, we're still under budget."
Aloha Airlines spokesman Stu Glauberman said the team will use a 124-seat 737-700 extended-range jet. Aloha has seven such airplanes for travel to California and Nevada, and an eighth will be added in September.
Glauberman said UH will fly nonstop to Salt Lake City, then take a 50-minute bus ride to Provo. On the return trip, the team will depart the night of the game, with the airplane stopping in Oakland for refueling.
Jones said traveling by charter was important because the BYU game was moved from Saturday to a Friday afternoon, giving the Warriors one fewer day to prepare.
"For a Friday night game, we can't take any chances," Jones said. "We have to get there on time."
A UH spokeswoman said the Warriors hope to travel by charter for road games against Texas-El Paso, Boise State and Fresno State. UH athletic director Herman Frazier has indicated he will approve those plans pending a review of the football program's budget.
The Warriors plan to fly commercial to Houston for a game against Rice. Continental Airlines has nonstop flights between Houston and Honolulu.
The Warriors, who usually fly commercial between Hawai'i and the Mainland, have sought charter flights for more than five years. The only time the Warriors traveled by charter to the Mainland was in 1996, when San Diego State paid for the service in exchange for UH agreeing to move a Saturday game to Friday night. The Warriors have used charter flights between Mainland cities.
NOTES: Starting center Lui Fuata will be the deep snapper on field-goal and extra-point attempts. Tanuvasa Moe remains as the long-snapper on punts. ... Jones said he will rotate players for at least the next week before giving more practice time to players at the top of the depth chart. "For now," Jones said, "everybody gets an opportunity." ... Former Warriors Al Noga, Pete Noga and Alan Hackbarth attended practice. Al Noga is a candidate for a head-coaching job with an arena football team.
