The best laid plans

Your football team is 0-3, and you're on the road for a tough game. The good news is that you've won the last two times you've played there, you've got some injured players coming back, and you're staying at the same hotel you've stayed at before. What could go wrong?

In an attempt to prepare without distractions for Saturday's football game against host Hawai'i, Rice booked reservations at the Turtle Bay Resort. The thing is, that also is the venue for this weekend's 2003 Miss Hawaiian Tropic International United States Pageant.

"I think this is a plan from Hawai'i," said Rice coach Ken Hatfield, whose team arrived in town yesterday afternoon.

In a what-the-heck request, Hatfield asked hotel officials if the pageant would consider relocating. "I didn't want to change hotels," Hatfield said. "We've had good success there."

Rice is 2-0 in Hawai'i since it began staying at the Turtle Bay.

"It's a major distraction if (the contestants are) running around the hotel," quarterback Greg Henderson said. "We have to stay focused in what we have to do. If we can get through this, we can get through anything."

But linebacker Jeff Vanover said he is confident the Owls will not be distracted.

"We'll see how it plays out," he said. "For the most part, with the coaching staff and the players, we'll have our mind on the game. I don't think it'll be too much of a trouble."

Vanover then introduced a reporter to his fiancée.

I'm sure there'll be plenty of game film to study to keep them busy. Thanks to Linkmeister for the tip.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on September 25, 2003 to Other sports | TrackBack