Honolulu Star-Advertiser sports columnist Dave Reardon didn’t hold back in a column published in Wednesday’s newspaper blasting the OIA for a 2017 schedule that includes an unfair balance of midweek games caused by a referee shortage.
It is, quite simply, the worst, most ineptly produced and unfair schedule I have seen in 40 years of writing about sports,” Reardon writes.
To read the full column, click here.
Feel free to share your thoughts below.
The OIA should revamp their post season OIA playoffs. Being that the HHSAA implemented the 3 tier State post season. Sunday 11 am games? The OIA has 22 football teams. The rest of the State has 23. The OIA should dictate rules. Remember last year’s ILH sneaking more teams in? Yeah this sounds like back door trick.
Coach C, your an idiot. Did you not read the article. The OIA if screwing their own teams during the season. Who gives a shit about the playoffs. Its messed up that OIA can’t even take of its own. And you OIA guys like cry about the ILH and recruiting but you screw yourselves and only let the rich get richer. Sad bro. And then you people always referring back to the ILH, why? Cause kids want to get a better education or play for a better program. WTF. Do you want to see good football or shitty football? Thats all that matters. Week in and week out. Making the games mean more each week on each level is the most important thing. Thats how both OIA and ILH will make the most money. And thats the bottom line actually. Yes championships are great too and bragging rights but think about the students who half to play Kahuku, mililani, waianae every year and get dumped. Does that build character? I don’t think so. So the leagues need to just merge a figure it out. OIA stop the crying and let just play ball. OIA/ILH let get it on. Shit if worst come to worst, bring the Prep bowl back. Top 2 OIA vs Top 2 ILH, DI and DII. Who cares how many teams you got. It didn’t matter back in the day. Outer Island, so sorry. Macadamia nut bowl for you guys.
Thats why the OIA cant trust these ILH fools that have hidden agendas that only benefit themselves, you see this idiot poster above me say “”Lets go back to the old prep bowl days, 2 OIA teams vs 2 ILH teams”..wow nice sneaking in a second ILH team! as if the Prep bowl featured two ILH teams, nope just one. OIA1 vs ILH1. It will never be a level playing field because the public schools dont have the resources and coaching of the ILH. St. Louis should go independent and travel to the mainland to play teams like Gorman and Materdei that recruit just as heavy.
Actually if you think about it the OIA is getting better and we dont need the ILH, Thanks to Cal Lee and his recruiting tactics now Mililani and Kapolei are doing the same thing and are now big dogs. The top tier of the OIA is strong. Look at StLouis recruiting from StFrancis and Damien, and now Maui, Kauai and Big Island wow! They have no borders or limits, greed is good I guess but dont stay in the small Hawaii pond, go explore the big pond on the mainland.
The answer to solve all problems for Hawaii HS football would be for the OIA to make 3 tiers. Thats it! Problem solved. ILH can go play each other 7 times and then sent their ILH champ to come play the OIA champ. That would sell out Aloha Stadium.
They say a lack of officials is the problem, it’s more like the lack of support for the officials, which causes them to not come back. The liability factor is key because they only get paid what? $60 a game, and if a player gets injured and the parents decided to sue the officials, who do they turn too? Their officials union? It’s kinda like the lifeguards..no support or help if they are held liable.
You OIA people still crying after all these years. It is a state tournament to find the best football team in the state. If you don’t want to compete against the private schools for whatever reason then don’t! But, you won’t because you want a chance for a STATE title. Don’t complain after the fact. You have the choice not to enter the tournament. I hope June Jones takes St. Louis independent. If he does Punahou will follow and there goes the tournament. The OIA can really get pissed when every serious footballer will go the those schools with no consequence and play a national schedule like Bishop Gorman and IMG. How will you OIA folks feel about your football then? Stop trying to rig your season. Stop trying to rig the state tournament. Be fair to all OIA schools. Be fair to the state tournament. If 3 of the top teams come from the ILH, so be it. Follow the advice OIA folks give to the outer island schools “get better, no cry!”
ANywaays. Prep bowl actually featured two oia and two ilh. There was a first place (championship game) and a 3rd place game, which was the 2nd place team in each league. Cmon know your history. Anyway, Doesn’t make sense what you saying, the OIA teams want to play the ILH teams, its just a matter of how the HHSAA puts it together. The ILH has 2 tiers but some seem to think there is 3, but no. DII ILH is DI in the OIA, not the top tier OIA but mid to high. But I do agreee that Hawaii needs to make 3 tiers. And stop talking about STL going to the mainland and playing, that cost money bro. Something that STL doesn’t have cause they too busy buying players.
agree w/anyways, no need the ILH for regular season. State Tournament is enough. That way, the ILH can continue to recruit all they want from anybody, anyplace. Good for the recruit and Alumni. Agree that the OIA needs a 3 tier for their regular season. Big disparity in their D1 teams between the top dogs of Farr, Kah, Kap, Waian, Camp and the bottom half of Kail, Cast, Moan, Leil, Rad, Nanakuli.
Ryan. Get better,no cry? The private schools can throw $$$$$ at their program and get better. The OIA? No can. It’s not allowed. The OIA and DOE, same ting. IGE to DOE,”aah no can”. DOE to OIA, “aah, no can”. ILH to athletic programs, “Go for it”!!. Yeah, football is important for ILH. Then go independent.
ILH to OIA, hello we have an offer you can’t refuse. We want 4 top tier OIA teams maybe Kahuku,Waianae,Mililani and Kapolei to join us in a New Fantastic League!! You will play on the weekends at the beautiful Aloha Stadium!! OC16 will televise the games. Big plus, WE WILL PROVIDE AND PAY FOR OFFICIALS!!!That way your smaller brother schools in the OIA will have the weekends and not suffer mid week games. Let’s make this happen!! Maybe at the AD’$ conference? Let’s talk.
Coach C uses “We” when talking about the ILH. LOL. Keep dreaming, wonder boy. Being a volunteer AYSO coach for 4 & 5 yr olds doesn’t qualify you to speak on behalf of the ILH.
Easy to see why no one wants to ref.
oia no need ilh why u tink ilh try to buy the alliance wit 3mill$ , oia smart n no take the money
Maybe instead of complaining, make more money to send your kid to private school, pay for tutors, participate in club leagues where they will get exposure. No? Cannot? Why? Because it is easier to complain and cry foul. if you expecting a handout you are mistaken. If you not willing to sacrifice to send your child to a private school that is on you not them.
Some of you remind me of those people who would crybaby when they lose but talk the most crap when they win.
Not sure how the referee’s got pulled into this conversation. The official training and recruiting program is working and the numbers are increasing in football. It is a great part-time activity and the end of the year pay is perfect timing for holiday shopping.
The leagues and coaches are working with officials to improve conditions on and off of the field. If you have an interest in officiating football the formal training starts at the end of this month. Please sign up at http://www.RefereeClinic.com/HHSAA
can i sign fo ref? i know how count too tree and on forth down call ofside so home team fans get piss off also when kick fieldgold ask potographer if good
I am also a fan of football and understand the frustration when an official makes a mistake. Calls are much easier when looking at slow motion video or shouting from the shelter of a crowd or anonymous username. The fact is the officials have integrity and are not afraid to stand up and show they care about the safety of the players and fair play. Instead of shouting from the rooftops insults that influence the behavior of the next generation, why not contribute in a positive way both on and off of the field? It takes courage to lead.