Posted on: Saturday, March 1, 2003

Akron likely will avoid paying UH for cancellation

Advertiser Staff

The University of Hawai'i is not expected to receive a financial settlement from the University of Akron, which withdrew from a scheduled Aug. 30 football game against the Warriors at Aloha Stadium.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier, commenting through an aide, confirmed that the school's contract with Akron does not include a penalty clause.

More recent contracts include as much as a $250,000 penalty.

The UH-Akron contract has a provision in which the team that cancels must pay "unavoidable costs or losses." The UH aide said that is interpreted to mean that Akron would have to pay the difference in appearance fees if it costs more to bring in a replacement. But the aide said Akron would not be responsible for potential lost revenue for a game involving the replacement team.

Akron spokesman Shawn Nestor said the school believes it is not responsible for any reimbursements.

In addition, Nestor said, Akron was not guaranteed an appearance fee. Instead, UH promised to provide Akron with assistance in "plane tickets and other amenities."

"There was no financial payment, per se," Nestor said.

Meanwhile, Frazier has promised to sign a replacement team within a month.

It is a pressing concern for Frazier, who would like to present a new ticket-pricing plan to the school's Board of Regents in April.

Frazier said the plan cannot be presented without a completed football schedule.