Every few years, the discussion comes up about the mission of Brigham Young-Hawaii. One major talking point has been whether to continue intercollegiate athletics at the 2,500-student campus in Laie that is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The rich tradition of Seasiders athletics, one of the most successful non-NCAA Division I programs for more than four decades, has survived all the talk so far.

The question now is whether it will do so this time.

Another discussion was held Monday involving BYU-Hawaii administration and athletic department representatives.

Seasiders athletic director Ken Wagner said it was "an informational meeting," with no decision made. However, the possibility that the school will drop its 11-team program is real enough that the Pacific West Conference was aware of what was happening in Laie.

PacWest commissioner Bob Hogue would only confirm that he had been apprised of Monday’s meeting.

Monday’s discussion with the BYUH coaches included the number of student-athletes who would be impacted and graduation status of those in their final year of eligibility.

BYU-Hawaii’s athletic success dates back to the late 1960s and early ’70s, when it was known as Church College of Hawaii and included national titles in men’s volleyball and rugby. The Seasiders also have won 10 women’s volleyball championships at the NAIA and NCAA D-II levels and nine titles in women’s tennis.

Most recently, the women’s volleyball team finished second at the 2013 NCAA D-II championships and the men’s basketball program was second in 2011.

In previous discussions about dissolving athletics, the financial cost of the department was not considered a factor.

There was, however, a philosophical factor involved when comparing two LDS-operated colleges: BYU-Hawaii and BYU-Idaho, formerly known as Ricks College.

With the name change in 2001 came the elimination of the Vikings intercollegiate athletic program. The school has since achieved tremendous growth in enrollment.

It is that same educational model that apparently continues to be sought for BYU-Hawaii.