WAC says UH must play in Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson said the University of Hawai'i football team "absolutely" will play in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Day.

"The University of Hawai'i is obligated contractually," Benson said. "Unless there's an unfortunate act of nature, they will play. Absolutely."

At a news conference Monday, UH coach June Jones had said he would not allow his team to play in the bowl if his players were not academically certified in time. The WAC, of which UH is a member, requires its football players to earn at least six credits — the equivalent of passing two classes — during the fall semester to be eligible to play in a postseason bowl.

UH's fall semester ends today, and the last day of final examinations is Dec. 19. The final grades are scheduled to be posted in the school's computer system by Dec. 23 — at least 48 hours before the 3 p.m. kickoff on Dec. 25.

Jones had told reporters if the computer "freezes up" and final grades are not available in time, "we're not going to play."

Jones softened his stance on his weekly radio show Tuesday night, saying he expected the grades to be available for certification.

"We're expecting them to manage the process and to fulfill their obligations," Benson said.

In news conferences and interviews, Jones and UH athletic director Herman Frazier insisted the six-credit rule is exclusive to the 10-team WAC. In fact, the Southeastern and Big 12 conferences have similar rules. Last year, Iowa State of the Big 12 withheld six uncertified players in the Humanitarian Bowl against WAC member Boise State.

Boise State and Fresno State, also of the WAC, certified their players for bowl games last year. UH did not, claiming there was not enough time between the end of the 2002 fall semester and the 2002 Hawai'i Bowl. UH quarterback Tim Chang, who took an incomplete and fell short of the six credits, was found not to have been eligible for the bowl game and was subsequently suspended for this season's opener.

This year, Benson said, the WAC's Board of Directors, composed of the president or chancellor of each of the 10 WAC schools, unanimously rejected a proposal to rescind the six-credit rule. Benson said all of the directors insisted they "were capable of getting (the certification) done on their campuses."

By WAC rule, no bowl-bound member is exempt from the certification process, Benson said. The schools "are required to certify their players," he said.

The NCAA is in charge of enforcing the WAC rules and issuing the punishments.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.