>> Regarding Monday’s column on the logjam of high school state championships, Matt Hogland suggests moving the boys volleyball tournament from spring back to fall. I think that’s a good idea, but the tournament used to be in the fall. It was moved to the spring to be in line with the college men’s volleyball season.

>> A friend who wants to remain anonymous had this to say about mid-major conferences: Man, more and more it seems like the MWC, CUSA et al are like Ross Dress For Less ‹ the bargain bin of discontinued lines and slightly damaged merchandise.

>> This is from Steve Somers, a Boise State fans, on if the Broncos might buck back to the Mountain West:

Good article, except that you left out one little item. Boise State may return to the MWC, but the reason would be due to the other sports at Boise State has very little options to go to.

If the money from the TV contract is not high enough, you may see Boise State back in the MWC! But compare them to a female who cheated on her husband to date you, and now wants to marry you. What would stop her from cheating on you? Boise will wait for the Big 12 to invite them for all sports! 12Pac conference … No way!
Thanks for a good article.
Steve

>> James Hasegawa likes the idea of UH football games starting early in the day:
What is so wrong with an earlier start on Saturdays? Don’t think that teams such as Florida, Georgia and USC, don’t know the advantage they have in September when the opposing team is melting in the noon heat. Most of the colleges in the country have a start time from 12:00 – 4:00p. Don’t those people have jobs? Don’t they all over other things to do? I don’t understand this argument. Hawaii should start their games earlier for the national exposure and to get their score out to the East Coast before Sunday. Also, playing during that time in Hawaii can only be an advantage for the home team that is conditioned to the heat. You put a winning team on the field, as well as bring in noteworthy opponents, the fans will pack the stadium, Explain to me why Hawaii should be an exception when the rest of the country plays during the day? Even UNLV, as crappy as they are, play some day games and their fans (few as they may be), don’t complain. How spoiled are UH fans if they all feel that way, including you? I have said for years that UH should move some of their games up. It’s a Saturday, whether you play the game at 2:00, or at 6:00, there will always be someone that has to go to work? It doesn’t matter and this point about game times doesn’t hold water.

Boxer Andy Ganigan, 59, one of the greatest sports figures in Hawaii history, died today in Las Vegas. As a world champion, he was an inspiration to many, many people in Hawaii … especially those in his hometown of Waipahu and those of Filipino heritage.

There have been many great boxers from Hawaii over the decades, including several other world champions. But something about Ganigan always set him apart for me. As I wrote two years ago, he was my generation’s B.J. Penn.

Saddened to hear of the death of former Moanalua High School and University of Hawaii football star Heikoti Fakava. Fakava, who played for the Rainbows in the late 1980s, was one of the toughest college running backs I’ve ever seen.

Fakava was No. 72 in the Star-Bulletin’s series on the top 100 football players in UH history in 2009. Here’s the feature on Fakava that Jason Kaneshiro wrote for the series.

***
Sometimes athletes, coaches and fans do stupid things because they lose their cool in the heat of a tense game, or because they are frustrated over an outcome.

Amare Stoudamire punched a fire extinguisher glass container after his New York Knicks lost to the Miami Heat in the NBA Playoffs on Monday. Now he’s probably out for the series.

Where does this rank in the sports world of self-inflicted problems?

… we will miss it, but life will go on. Not as we know it for one day in late January or early February. But remember, we survived the Pro Bowl disappearing for a year in 2010. If I remember correctly, the sun did rise again the next day.

Also, if the NFL does suspend or eliminate the Pro Bowl, that doesn’t mean Hawaii shouldn’t try to continue its relationship with the league. If the St. Louis Rams are willing to give up one home regular-season game a year to play in England, how difficult would it be to entice a West Coast team (all of which are popular here) to play in Hawaii? At least a preseason game.

One big obstacle comes to mind immediately: A tough sell considering the current condition of Aloha Stadium.

I spoke with Mike McCartney of the Hawaii Tourism Authority this morning. He said the HTA is still in talks with the NFL to host the Pro Bowl in 2013. “Oh, yes, we’re still in discussions with them and we want the game in Hawaii.”

“We’re negotiating in good faith and nothing has changed since we last talked (with the Star-Advertiser, last month).”

McCartney said latest negotiation discussion was today, and the possibility of there being no Pro Bowl is nothing new.

“That’s just an ESPN report. That has always been a possibility.”

On possibility of other events partnering with the NFL even if Pro Bowl is suspended or eliminated, McCartney said: “There’s no question Hawaii wants to continue its partnership with the NFL in different ways.”

McCartney declined to provide any details on negotiations or possibilities other than the Pro Bowl. “We’ve agreed to work with them directly and not in a roundabout way, and I have to honor that,” he said.

I feel energized and smarter today, and thanks for that goes to the high school student journalists of Hawaii. I look forward to joining them each year at the Hawaii Publishers Association luncheon honoring them.

This year the HPA mixed students and advisors instead of having them at specific tables by schools. That was a great idea, since part of being a journalist is meeting new people and picking their brains, and anyone who wants to succeed as a reporter must overcome being shy.

I enjoyed getting to know the people at my table: Isa Hastings (Mid-Pacific), Dylan Godsey (Kamehameha), Greg Kamisato (Waialua advisor), Jamielynn Quisano (Campbell advisor), Samantha Feyen (Lahainaluna), Mehana Salvani (Kamehameha/Kapalama) and Jacob Kaneakua (Hawaiian Mission).

More and more of the school papers are developing web sites, but not at the expense of their printed editions; the print editions are splashier than in the past and emphasizing color. The schools have adjusted well to the new world of media, using online resources to break news and augment the print edition.

Keynote speaker Sara Lin of Honolulu Civil Beat noted you never run out of space online. She also gave some great advice on networking and making the most of opportunities, and emphasized how journalism remains a great career while it is ever-changing.

One thing that remains the same is that you can learn a lot as a student or professional in this field — every day.

As Dylan Godsey said, “You get inspired because you learn that it’s more than just yourself out there.”

Wise words from a high school student.