Instant replay in WAC highly unlikely for 2005
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Western Athletic Conference will discuss instant replay for football but is a "long, long shot" to do anything for the 2005 season, commissioner Karl Benson said.
The discussion, which is included on the agenda for the conference athletic directors' Feb. 28 meeting, comes as more conferences are considering its use.
The Big Ten became the first conference to use instant replay for all its league games last season. The Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences are now planning for 2005 and the Pac-10 will meet next month to discuss replay.
Benson said any proposals made by WAC athletic directors would be forwarded to the Board of Directors, composed of presidents and chancellors, which meets in June.
But he said, "the chances (for 2005) are a long, long shot. As technology improves, as different forms of production are available and as stadiums have their own in-house production capabilities, this will be the path that Division I-A athletics is going. My guess is that we can't afford not to be on the same path (eventually). But my feeling is that it won't be for '05."
Replay was used in 57 games involving Big Ten teams — all conference games and all home non-conference games held in Big Ten stadiums. There were 43 plays reviewed; decisions were overturned or modified on 23.
In the case of the WAC, Benson said "cost and technical implications" are likely to keep the conference from undertaking replay for a while. He said it cost the Big Ten $250,000 to operate instant replay and that was with most of its games already on television. With only a handful of WAC games on television, Benson said, "the cost implications could be significant."
The University of Hawai'i's Sept. 10 game at Michigan State will include replay but not its Nov. 26 game against Wisconsin at Aloha Stadium.
In other news, Benson said the WAC football schedule for 2005 won't be finalized until sometime next month. He said the conference is waiting for ESPN to decide which games it will pick up for its mid-week window.
Beginning in 2005, ESPN will do two conference games on either Tuesday or Wednesday nights. "So, rather than have to work around them later, we'll wait to see which ones they pick," Benson said.
He said UH could be picked for one of the games on the road "although at this point it is unlikely." Benson said UH would not be asked to play any mid-week home games.
Benson also said ESPN is looking at UH home games with Southern California, Fresno State, Boise State and Wisconsin as Saturday possibilities.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.
