WAC schedule to be released any day now...

This article from the SJSU Athletics website takes a look at the 2009 WAC conference schedule and why it hasn't been released yet.

During meetings and conversations at the recently-completed WAC Basketball Tournament in Reno, commissioner Karl Benson informed university officials and media members that there are unique challenges to completing the 2009 conference schedule for the nine members.

This year, there are only 14 Saturdays in September, October, November and the first weekend in December to complete the regular season versus 15 in 2008. At least one WAC school is interested in taking advantage of playing a 13th regular season game. On the surface, that may not impact those like San Jose State as much playing 12 games, but a school playing 13 games can have only one bye week.

Unlike San Jose State, which has all its non-conference games at the beginning of the season, there is at least one WAC member with at least one non-conference game in the second half of the season. Scheduling games with the least number of variables is most desirable.

Here's the 2009 UH Football Non-Conference Schedule:

Date	Team	Time/Result
9/4	CENTRAL ARKANSAS	TBA
9/12	@ Washington State (Qwest Field)	TBA
9/19	@ Nevada-Las Vegas	TBA
11/28	NAVY	TBA
12/5	WISCONSIN	TBA

SJSU implying something, hmmm? Anyway, Ferd Lewis wrote a column three weeks ago about the delay and some of the other issues the WAC may be dealing with.

The Western Athletic Conference football schedule for 2009 is running a little late and the University of Hawai'i is waiting more anxiously than usual.

Indeed, the Warriors are crossing their collective fingers the WAC will give them either an open date or a home game for the Sept. 26 slot that follows back-to-back non-conference road games in order to avoid what would be an unprecedented three consecutive games on the Mainland.

It is a fair enough request given UH's geographic issues and one you'd like to see the WAC honor.

Under the WAC's TV contract, ESPN first selects the games it wants and works out the dates with the conference. For example, two years ago ESPN chose to have the UH-Boise State showdown placed on Nov. 23, the penultimate weekend of the regular season.

Then, the rest of the conference schedule is assembled and, generally, released by mid-February. But ESPN, which was to have made its selections by Feb. 1, has yet to do so, WAC officials said.

Hopefully ESPN has made their selections. And maybe they have. Stephen Tsai had some comments in the Warrior Beat last Friday.

6. Stephen Tsai:
March 13th, 2009 at 9:10 am

I heard a tentative WAC schedule is being circulated. Apparently UH will have several ESPN/ESPN2 appearances.

7. Stephen Tsai:
March 13th, 2009 at 9:12 am

truegreen:
I think UH will avoid the three-games-in-a-row scenario. But the Warriors might have to have a second back-to-back situation. We'll see.