UH-Hilo is expecting to start its sports season sometime in January, maybe the PacWest conference not so much.
With Southern California reaching record daily highs in coronavirus cases, it’s unlikely the league’s pod system there will kick off anytime soon.
“We’re not ready; we’re working on them to release schedules,” PacWest commissioner Bob Hogue said on Friday, before a stay-at-home order for Southern California was to triggered into effect.
“The parameters of each of the pods have been essentially laid out,” he said. “We’ve been monitoring the numbers constantly. What we’ve learned is the numbers go up and down over the past several months.”
UHH, Chaminade, and Hawaii Pacific make up the Hawaii pod. The Northern California pod is composed of Academy of Art, Dominican, Fresno Pacific and Holy Names. The Southern California pod is Azusa Pacific, Biola, Concordia and Point Loma.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii pod could happen sometime in the middle of January, pending an OK from the state.
“We’re waiting approval from various government agencies to play,” UHH athletic director Pat Guillen said. “We’re looking to start pod play in the third week of January. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”
On Saturday, Hawaii health officials reported 133 new infections, including 43 on the Big Island.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed, keep up with our kuleana, be safe out there,” Guillen said. “Los Angeles is not looking so good. They’re at the worst tier. It’s really difficult for them. Here in Hawaii, we’re in decent shape, much better than California. This will pass. We’re starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Hogue lives in Newport Bay, about a 15-minute drive from his PacWest office in Irvine.
Like those in Southern Cal, Hogue is practicing safe protocols and hoping the numbers start to dwindle.
“We’re in the highest tier,” he said. “We’re doing all kinds of protocols, wash our hands, wear masks. All those kind s of things.
“Hawaii had a spike earlier. But their numbers came down. Like a lot of conferences across the country, we’re staying in communication and following local regulations.”
