The University of Hawaii’s soon-to-be opponents in the Big West Conference all subsidize their athletic programs at a rate twice that of UH, according to a USA Today study published today.

The paper said UH athletics receives 32.6 of its funding from state taxpayers and university funds, while the schools UH Manoa will join in the Big West all receive at least 65 percent support from the state and the university monies, including student tuition and fees. Six of the current Big West members have 75 percent or more of their costs subsidized, according to the USA Today study.

Figures are from 2006-2011, the paper said.

Most UH teams except football will leave the Western Athletic Conference and join the Big West July 1st.

Football will join  the Mountain West July 1st, where six schools are subsidized at a higher rate than UH. Of the current MWC members, only Boise State (28 percent) is subsidized less than UH.