As David Ige takes office, it is time to ponder how much impact the new governor will project upon the Hawaii sports scene.
Of particular interest is University of Hawaii athletics, considering the poor record in recent years of the highest profile and biggest breadwinning sport, football, and other issues.
There’s the fast-approaching end game of an NCAA investigation of the men’s basketball program, and the continuing conundrum of Aloha Stadium.
And, beyond UH, let’s not forget about the NFL and the Pro Bowl (as much as some folks out there would like to).
Ige might wish these issues would take care of themselves, but they won’t. He — and likely Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, who headed a sports commission under previous Gov. Neil Abercrombie — will need to step into a power vacuum and make some things happen — for the benefit of the entire state, not just sports fans.
Most of these issues tie in directly with the biggest concern of all taxpaying citizens: how much things cost, and if they are worth it.
The UH football team just completed its third season under coach Norm Chow with another losing record. The Rainbows showed some improvement on the field this season, but an easy argument can be made that it is too little, too late.
Chow’s overall record is 8-29; attendance has dwindled correspondingly along with the revenue ticket sales generate. Fans also complain about the style of offensive play as too conservative.
UH faces a strong schedule next year, and will do so without senior stalwarts like Joey Iosefa, Scott Harding, Beau Yap and Moses Samia.
Athletic director Ben Jay is scheduled to meet with Chow later week to discuss the season and the future.
It would cost more than $750,000 to buy out the remaining two years of Chow’s contract, and it does not seem Jay has the inclination or even the power to do so.
The last major decision Jay’s name was attached to was the firing of basketball coach Gib Arnold. But it was a joint announcement with Manoa chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman.
That is telling, especially when coupled with Jay’s recommendation during the summer to extend Arnold’s contract amid the NCAA investigation. The recommendation, which was overturned, could contribute to the end of the AD’s tenure at Manoa once the investigation’s findings are released.
The narrative over the past several weeks is Chow cannot be fired because there is no money to do it.
Abercrombie was noticeably quiet about UH sports affairs toward the end of his term, after promising Chow anything he needed when he was hired in 2012.
Regarding the NFL, Abercrombie decried the output of $4 million per year for rights to the Pro Bowl, before reversing his field. The NFL all-star game won’t be here after this season.
Ige will also have to be involved in some serious discussions and decision- making about Aloha Stadium or a new one; that ties in to any future partnerships with the NFL, as well as UH.
And with the chaotic state of the power structure at UH, the ball could very well end up in Ige’s court on some sports decisions that would normally be handled at a much lower level.
Reach Star-Advertiser sports columnist Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com.
