Warriors face suspensions for bowl brawl

Five University of Hawai'i football players — none of them starters — have received one-game suspensions for fighting University of Houston players following the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl at Aloha Stadium on Christmas Day.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier yesterday announced that defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan, linebackers Alika Durington and Laiana Wong, offensive lineman Larry Sauafea and defensive back Orlando Wong will be suspended from playing in one of the Warriors' first four games during the 2004 season. All were underclassmen last season.

A sixth player, offensive lineman Shayne Kajioka, also faces disciplinary action, Frazier said. Kajioka, who has completed his college football eligibility, earned his bachelor's degree last month. He had said he planned to enroll in graduate school this semester.

Frazier said seven other Warriors will be "reprimanded," although he refused to identify those players. He said they likely will be ordered to perform community service and attend anger-management classes. At least two of those players are believed to be starters.

Frazier said none of the Hawai'i coaches will be disciplined. Coach June Jones issued a statement taking "full responsibility" for the football program.

Frazier is scheduled to give a report on the incident to the school's Board of Regents tomorrow.

Karl Benson, commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference, of which Hawai'i is a member, said he is "satisfied" with the disciplinary measures announced yesterday. Benson said the WAC will not seek additional sanctions against the Hawai'i players or coaches. Benson said Hawai'i's athletic department will not be fined.

Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky said several Houston players "will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension from competition. The individuals involved and the specific nature of the penalties will remain unspecified."

The fight started shortly after the completion of the Warriors' 54-48 victory in triple overtime.

According to "Article 3 — Sportsmanship" of the WAC's Code Book, a player found to have committed physical abuse — defined as "striking or attempting to strike or otherwise physically abusing" a coach, spectator or student-athlete — can receive a public reprimand and suspension ranging from one game to an entire season.

A player who incites others to commit a violent act faces suspension ranging from two games to an entire season, according to the code.

Making an obscene gesture or using "unduly provocative language" can result in a public reprimand.

There are mandatory penalties for repeat offenders. Although Hawai'i and Cincinnati players fought at the end of a football game at Aloha Stadium in 2002, no Warrior player was suspended.

Following the Christmas Day melee, Frazier said he reviewed videotapes from ESPN, which produced and televised the game; Aloha Stadium's video crew; KITV; and a Houston television station. With consultation from Benson, Frazier said, "we narrowed it down to what was flagrant and what was not."

Frazier said a flagrant act involved punching, kicking or throwing or swinging a helmet. Frazier said he determined Akpan, Durington, Sauafea, Laiana Wong, Orlando Wong and Kajioka committed flagrant acts. Akpan did not return messages left on his cellular telephone. The others could not be reached for comment.

"We could only go by what we could see and what we could determine," Frazier said. "That's how we came up with the six we came up with. The other folks who were involved were either pushing and shoving or getting up off of someone."

He said there was not sufficient video evidence to place those players "in that flagrant category.

In a written statement, Jones said: "I take full responsibility for my program, my team and my players. In addition to the suspensions, I will see that these players also perform community service duties in the near future so they can give something back to the people. I am saddened for the families of these six great young men to be singled out, but as I teach my players, that is life sometimes. Although we do not condone their actions, I teach my players that sometimes you have to take one for the team. That is what these players are doing for their teammates."

Jones could not be reached for comment. He traveled yesterday to Oregon to attend a funeral.

Jones' written statement was his first since the fight.

Frazier did not explain why it took nearly three weeks for what he characterized as a statement of regret, but said, "When you look at my statements and the coach's statements, there's no question we apologized to our public."

Frazier declined an offer to apologize to the Houston football team. Instead, he said, "We accept our punishment, and we have renounced (the incident) and we're going to go forward."

Benson said he agreed to Frazier's request to allow the suspensions to be served during a four-game window. Benson said he did "not have a problem" with not publicly identifying the reprimanded players.

Frazier said he will reduce the number of spectators on the Hawai'i sidelines. He issued about 60 sideline passes for each home game last season.

Stephen Tsai can be reached at 525-8051 or stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.