Posted on: Thursday, June 23, 2005

UH feels it's right on schedule

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

"... Hawai'i, which is a mid-major Division I-A program, starts off with USC, and then we go to Michigan State. I think we're pushing the envelope. I didn't do that schedule, but we're pushing the envelope ... I wouldn't want to stretch our student-athletes too far."

Tom Sadler | UH associate athletic director, speaking at the University of Montana, where he interviewed for the AD job last week, according to the Missoula (Mont.) Missoulan.

For the intended audience in Montana, where Tom Sadler has been one of five finalists for the athletic director's job, the above sentiments might be about right. We'll leave that for the folks in Montana to decide.

But here in Hawai'i, where football coach June Jones' promise and, indeed, the hope has been for some Top 25 finishes, playing Southern California and Michigan State is a leap that needs to be taken.

When you're UH, a program far from the mainstream and 2,500 miles from its nearest D I-A opponent, the envelope has to be pushed and stretched to the max. Chances have to be taken and initiative shown.

You don't get where UH wants to be by playing it safe and ducking opportunity. A steady diet of Appalachian States, Eastern Illinois, etc. isn't even running in place, much less a step for advancement.

With the changes that have taken place in the reshuffled Western Athletic Conference, the non-conference schedule takes on more importance than ever. If games against Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State aren't going to make people take notice, then you have to book teams that will.

Playing USC and Michigan State does that. It is what the better players come to UH for. It is what fans and boosters buy into. For premium prices, you want premium competition, when you can get it.

You don't play them back-to-back every year, of course. Ideally, it wouldn't come in a rebuilding year, either. But when you already have a USC on the books and an opportunity comes along to add Michigan State, as was the case here, you have to go for it.

Especially when it can result in a two-for-one (home vs. away games) contract. Consider what that come-from-behind victory over the Spartans last year meant and the 2010 return of Michigan State to Aloha Stadium could be worth.

Athletic director Herman Frazier said Sadler's statements — "those are Tom's opinions" — do not represent a change in policy from his office. "I think we can be a big-time program," Frazier said. "I hate the word 'mid-major.' You'll never hear me use that word. It is not in my vocabulary. We still want to play the best, even if it is in tiddywinks."

That's good to hear because if UH is to reach the level it says it is aiming for the way to do it is by embracing challenges, not ducking them.

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