Meeting Wrap-Up

The AP has a wrap-up of today's informational briefing. This is from ESPN's college football front page. Here are couple of excerpts.

State lawmakers questioned University of Hawaii athletics director Herman Frazier for three and a half hours Monday over everything from his fiscal management to the incomplete Warriors' football schedule.

"We've got an image problem at UH athletics that needs special care immediately. If we don't do it, I think we're going to be in big trouble," Rep. K. Mark Takai said.

...

Frazier was also grilled on a wide-ranging group of subjects including his fundraising abilities, travel, handling of the budget, communication with the media, parking woes, Hawaii's "image" problem and the lack of a 13th opponent on the 2007 football schedule.

Frazier said the scheduling problems all started when Michigan State pulled out, paying Hawaii a $250,000 cancellation fee. He said if no opponent is selected by the end of the month, the school will only play 12 games.

The Warriors already have two Division I-AA opponents on the schedule, which has drawn criticism from fans.

UPDATE: And here's a story by Steve Uyehara of KGMB.

Frazier pointed to the positives, like increased academic standards. And most important, he noted that his department has gone from a $2.5 million deficit to a $7,500 surplus. But lawmakers say Frazier changed auditing procedures to make the bottom line look better.

There were also accusations he dipped into a special revolving fund.

"You're floating at least $2 million and based on my analysis, it suggests that there are a number of different sources that you're utilizing that are considered restricted sources, in other words, sources that you put on your books, but you can't even spend to balance the books," Takai said.

Lawmakers said there was nothing illegal or wrong with Frazier's financial practices, but it definitely made the numbers seem a lot nicer.

More stories and analysis tomorrow.