Unlike the controversy that surrounded the University of Hawaii’s trip to the 2008 Sugar Bowl, there are no legislators or regents listed as hitching a ride on the official travel party for the football team’s trip to Australia.
UH listed 194 members for the official travel party that departs by commercial flight Saturday for Sydney, site of the Aug. 26 (Hawaii time) season opener against California.
The bulk — 171— are players (105), coaches (14), football staff (10), medical staff (3), trainers (7), equipment staff (8), tutors (3), athletic administration (4), athletic staff (6) and cheerleading squad and coach (11), according to a list supplied to the Star-Advertiser.
Airfare and accommodations for “up to 200” are to be underwritten by TLA Worldwide, the promoter of the inaugural Sydney College Football Cup, according to terms of the contract.
In addition, UH receives a guarantee of $750,000 and said it projects to net $407,522 after expenses.
“We’re not filling it up with just anybody; they must have a legitimate purpose for being there,” athletic director David Matlin said.
The Sugar Bowl had an official party of nearly 600 for which UH said it paid $1.9 million. Some eventually repaid the school and UH travel policies became the subject of an inquiry by the State Ethics Commission.
“Normally we travel 66 to 68 players, but, for this game, we’re taking the whole squad, all 105,” Matlin said. “Due to that larger number and the number of days we’ll be gone (6.5), we also needed more support staff.”
While UH is required to bring cheerleaders to Sydney by contract, a band contingent, said to be 30-something strong, is paying its own way. “They were very resourceful and started raising money as soon as the game was announced (in November),” Matlin said.
UH President David Lassner will not travel with the group but will meet them in Sydney, Matlin said. Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman is accompanying the official party.
The only other campus administration officials — a vice chancellor for student services-admissions and an assistant vice chancellor for admissions — are going as part of a general student recruiting effort, Matlin said.
Five coaches of other UH sports are going for recruiting and another, men’s volleyball coach Charlie Wade, is scheduled to meet them in Sydney.
Matlin said he had hoped more non-football coaches would be able to attend. “Several more wanted to go but felt it more important to be (on campus) for the first week of classes (Aug. 22).”
Matlin’s wife and seven spouses or family members of coaches will accompany the party per employment contracts that allow a family member to make one regular season and one postseason trip per year.
Na Koa, the football booster club, and the UH Foundation will each have a representative and one diamond-level ($150,000 and above annual) sponsor will attend under terms of the corporate sponsor program.
