Posted on: Thursday, January 8, 2004

Houston AD says players acted in 'self defense'

Advertiser Staff and News Services

University of Houston football players who fought with the University of Hawai'i football team after the conclusion of the Dec. 25 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl did so in "self defense" and are not expected to face disciplinary action, a Cougar official said in the Houston Chronicle's online edition last night.

The Chronicle quoted Houston athletic director Dave Maggard as saying, "We'll look at some more film from Britton Banowsky (Conference USA commissioner), but at this point there is nothing very conclusive. Without looking at more film, my feeling from being on the field is our team acted out of self-defense."

Maggard's assertions shocked University of Hawai'i president Evan Dobelle.

"I'm surprised and taken aback by any institution's comments made at this time," Dobelle told The Advertiser last night.

Dobelle said Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier has not concluded his review of the Christmas Day melee that followed the Warriors' 54-48 victory in triple overtime. Dobelle said Frazier reviewed footage taken by Aloha Stadium's video crew but did not receive videotape from ESPN until yesterday. ESPN produced and televised the game.

As of Tuesday, Maggard told The Advertiser, he had seen his school's footage of the incident but not ESPN's.

Dobelle said it was his understanding that both schools, in conjunction with the Western Athletic Conference and C-USA, would issue a joint ruling.

"My comment would be I'm surprised by anything other than something jointly decided by the institutions, the WAC and Conference USA," Dobelle said.

Dobelle said Frazier is scheduled to "make a report on the incident" at the Board of Regents' meeting on Jan. 16.

The Chronicle said Maggard attributed friction to both teams having to cross paths when entering and exiting the field. Hawai'i used its usual locker room for the afternoon game, but chose what was normally the visitors' sideline because it was in the shade.

"The crisscross (of teams) coming on and off the field was a problem from the start," Maggard said.

The Chronicle quoted Maggard as saying, "With about six minutes left in the game, I told one of the (game) officials, 'You need to get the taunting and cheap shots under control or there will be a problem.' I felt the officiating could have been stronger."

Frazier and Warrior coach June Jones did not immediately respond to messages left on their cellular telephones.