By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — The University of Hawai'i and Nevada-Las Vegas want to extend a football series that is scheduled to end with Friday night's ESPN2 game.

The only question would seem to be: Will it stay a non-conference series?

Coincidentally in a week in which expansion is, again, a hot topic around the Mountain West Conference, of which UNLV is a member, and UH President Evan Dobelle has spoken in favor of UH joining, both schools are emphatic about scheduling more games.

Extending the UNLV series is an idea worth pursuing and with what UH brings to the tables in Las Vegas, Hawai'i has some valuable cards to play for a change.

UNLV coach John Robinson says he'd like to see the two play "for the next 25 years." June Jones says he wouldn't mind playing regularly — just in Las Vegas.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier won't discuss MWC membership possibilities, but said, " I will talk to (Mike Hamrick, the UNLV athletic director) about future contests. From the enthusiasm of our fans, this is a game we should play (in Las Vegas) every other year — whether or not we were in the same conference. And, I'll have that conversation when I get there."

Jones is in favor because what coach wouldn't go for the idea of playing a road game where there are enough of your fans to at least neutralize, if not dominate, the home team's crowd?

UNLV cherishes the sound of turnstiles spinning while its sponsors enjoy the influx of visitors from Hawai'i, more than 5,000 of whom are expected Friday. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority says that based upon its formula, even 5,000 fans coming from Hawai'i adds $3.2 million to the area economy.

Closer to UNLV's wallet, 10,000 or more ticket-buying UH fans — counting both those coming from the Islands and those who have settled in Nevada — figure to be worth $150,000 or more than the school would take in from most games.

One way to assure regular meetings is to play in the same conference with a home-and-home schedule.

The problem for UH is liable to be the price tag. If the MWC were to offer UH an invitation — and commissioner Craig Thompson said yesterday there is no guarantee of one to anybody as the conference evaluates prospective members — it could come at a steep price.

Robinson, who served as UNLV's athletic director for 17 months and is a regular Island visitor, said the cost of sending teams to Hawai'i would be the biggest concern about adding UH.

Hawai'i has heard that one before, but its unique relationship with Las Vegas gives UH some leverage to make the best deal — in or out of the MWC.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.