Week-in-Review: Tulsa, Mack, MWC, Ostrowski, Etc.

Here are some news articles from the past week that I didn't get a chance to post.

Hawaii to be all business at bowl this year, by Eric Bailey of Tulsa World

"We're going to treat it like another ball game," McMackin said. "The last time, we treated it as a reward and got beat by Notre Dame.

"This year, we're going on a business trip to Waikiki."

McMackin has earned a contract extension, by Dave Reardon

The priority now is to extend football coach Greg McMackin's contract. Yes ... the same Greg McMackin whose salary we've often questioned — especially last year when the Warriors lost six games in a row during the middle of the season.

But UH is 14-4 since then, and that's just one of the reasons why UH should extend McMackin's contract immediately — with some key restructuring, though.

Hear, hear!

McMackin also deserves plaudits for acing the most important test: All 28 of the Warriors seniors are on course to graduate (actually, six already have) by the end of the school year.

That's awesome.

Also, if UH football had not enjoyed success this season, the Mountain West would not have invited Hawaii to join.

Say no more, say no more.

A sensible deal, by Stephen Tsai

Now, the Mountain West realizes what it should have known then: The Warriors bring a lot to the table. Even Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada — all of whom supported the invitation — realize that.

From a population of about 1.5 million, UH's pay-per-view and television contract generates about $4.5 million annually, of which UH's share is $2.5 million. That's potential revenue that now can be shared with the Mountain West.

UH accepts pricey move, by Stephen Tsai

But San Diego State athletic director Jim Sterk told the San Diego Union-Tribune that UH would be expected to pay between $150,000 and $175,000 per visiting Mountain West football team in "cost sharing."

Big West Commissioner Dennis Farrell said "there will be costs" UH will pay to visiting Big West teams. "It will happen," he said, although an amount has not been decided.

UH will relinquish the television rights to its sports to the Mountain West and Big West.

I hope the Mountain West hires Jim Leahey!

The conference dealing is done, so you can exhale, by Dave Reardon

Even one of the most confident players in this saga told me last night that he was, "like everyone else, on pins and needles." But it all came together in a nice little package yesterday, as most everyone involved expected but didn't dare promise.

Mountain West makes it official: Hawaii football to join in 2012, by Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman

The Mountain West may not be done adding members. The league’s board of directors will meet in January.
“Potentially interested, but not actively looking” is how Thompson described the league’s attitude toward further expansion.

Hawaii, the WAC and the Mountain West, by Dave Miller of the National Football Post

In terms of the MWC's profile in its quest to become an AQ conference, league membership as of December 2011 is what will factor into whether the league meets the necessary criteria. Therefore, TCU’s credentials while in the MWC will be factored into the decision. That's obviously huge considering the success of the Horned Frogs the last few seasons.

Warriors slotback ready to rush from field to court

With the blessing of UH football coach Greg McMackin, the slotback will officially join Gib Arnold's Rainbow Warriors after the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24, in time for the WAC hoops season.

"I missed it ... that's for sure," Ostrowski said after light participation in yesterday's practice. "Every time I saw it, I always wanted to be out here, and I'm just glad the opportunity finally came. I'll try to make the best of it."

The timing was finally right for Ostrowski to play hoops, by Dave Reardon

THE TIMING FINALLY worked out for the hoops team and Ostrowski, who is a slotback in the sport that pays his scholarship check. It's fortuitous for first-year head coach Gib Arnold, who recently lost point guard Anthony Salter and wing Jordan Coleman to playing time dissatisfaction.

Ostrowski won't play in any games until after New Year's and the start of the WAC season. But he's waited this long (Ostrowski hasn't competed in serious basketball since graduating from high school in 2007), so a few more weeks won't hurt.

Dayton Morinaga's awesome UH basketball site, Warrior Insider, has more, including a video interview with Ostrowski.

Dave Koga of the Star Advertiser profiles and interviews coach Rich Miano. Here's an excerpt of Miano talking about the danger of UH remaining in a crumbling WAC:

It was getting scary, especially in recruiting. It was tough, because you had to sell the recruits on scenarios. Other (teams') coaches were telling the kids: "Well, look who's in their conference. Look at who they'll be playing. Are they ever going to be on ESPN again? Are they still going to be relevant?" So we're out there and we're having to create these scenarios where maybe we're going to the Mountain West or maybe we're going independent and be able to play whoever we want. So the timing (of joining the Mountain West) couldn't have been better.

Awards Banquet Honors 2010 WAC Champions, from NaKoa.org

Head Coach Greg McMackin marveled at the accomplishments of team members: Greg Salas broke Jason Rivers’ career receiving record with 4,000 yards; Bryant Moniz broke Colt Brennan’s single game passing record with 560 yards; Alex Green broke the 60 year old single game rushing record with 327 yards; Mana Silva broke the career interception record with 14; and Scott Enos broke Jason Elam’s record with 100 consecutive PATs.

Warriors crack All-WAC, by Stephen Tsai

Hawaii Warriors season recap, by ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson