Characterizing the financial state of University of Hawai'i athletics as "very fragile," athletic director Jim Donovan yesterday for the first time publicly held out the possibility of cutting a sport.... The report, by Accuity LLP, said "we believe the financial condition of UH athletics is fragile. It requires close scrutiny and monitoring both at the department and campus (levels)."
With UH looking at the possibility of a $3 million deficit for the current fiscal year that ends June 30, Donovan, who replaced fired Herman Frazier last March, described the department's finances as "very precarious." Donovan said cutting a sport would be a last resort if the economic picture doesn't improve. Under questioning by UH President David McClain and board members, Donovan said that men's swimming and diving, baseball, men's tennis or men's volleyball would be leading possibilities.
