SAN JOSE, Calif. — In an interview room at the Western Athletic Conference Football Preview full of coaches, media, players and conference officials, University of Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier was a curious addition.

He was the only athletic director in the nine-school conference to attend.

Not even Tom Bowen, who, as the athletic director of San Jose State was the titular host of the event, put in an appearance beyond the golf tournament.

But Frazier, who as an NCAA football committee liaison, briefed coaches, stuck around from morning to late afternoon each day to shake hands, pat backs, swap stories and, mostly, listen. A presence that won him points from coaches, media and officials.

Taking it all in as he did, you wonder what coursed through Frazier's mind when the league's coaches, as they are wont to do, teed off on matters of scheduling?

Frazier and the issue of scheduling having become well-acquainted these last 10 months.

What did Frazier think when he heard, for example, Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley bemoan the Bulldogs' fate of having to play too many so-called "guarantee" games — California, LSU and Mississippi — desperate for the money they bring in?

What did Frazier make of Fresno State coach Pat Hill's wish out loud that his Bulldogs could get more BCS teams — heck, any I-A opponents — to come to Fresno? Or San Jose State's Dick Tomey vowing the never-again challenge of opening this season with consecutive road games at Arizona State, Kansas State and Stanford?

You wonder what went through Frazier's mind. Not what he would say publicly, but what he really thought. There is a difference and the flame-leaping experiences of the past eight months have given him dexterity when it comes to sidestepping questions about UH's scheduling shortfalls.

Among WAC schools, UH is an anomaly. It is the one most able to schedule whom it wants where it wants. Not 100 percent, of course, but enough to be the envy of its brethren. Think Alabama will ever play in Boise? Picture Wisconsin ever teeing it up in Idaho's Kibbie Dome? Or, Washington dropping in on Louisiana Tech? No, of course not.

Given the allure of the Islands — not to mention the Hawai'i exemption — the Warriors can do things other members of the WAC can only dream about. They have the means and opportunity to carve out a pretty good schedule year in and year out.

Well, in years in which they don't get caught napping at the rolodex.

That's a thought you hope hit home with its schedule-maker for future reference.

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