Hawaii's president appears to take shot at the failures of the Pac-12

The lumps keep on coming for the Pac-12

The one thing that is worse than completely and utterly failing, is doing so with an audience.

On Friday the Pac-12 did just that as they went from looking like they were poised to survive the latest realignment rumors, to losing five teams by the end of the day. Oregon and Washington got the party started by leaving for the Big Ten, and the remaining three of the four corner schools ended the day by joining the Big 12.

For those keeping track at home, that now marks the losses of eight programs within a year leaving just four programs in what is left of the conference.

To say the Pac-12 has faced their share of criticism would be an understatement, but on Saturday the failures of George Kliavkoff and Larry Scott may have reached an all-time low. Hawaii president David Lassner released a statement on the Pac-12, and he did not hold back when it came to getting in his jabs.

"The once-mighty Pac-12, a conference many Hawaiʻi fans followed, is now down to four members as of the 2024–25 academic year."

While offering empathy from their experience in past realignment moves as well, the statement also mentioned San Diego State's flirtation and efforts to join the Pac-12, and expressed the Mountain West is now staying loyal to one another. 

UH now competes in football in the Mountain West, the best of the informal “Group of 5” within the (highest level) football conferences. After a dalliance by our colleagues at San Diego State University with the Pac-12 in June, our membership remains consistent and strong. And in the current situation, no departures appear imminent.

To conclude the statement, he appears to suggest that Hawaii is in support of absorbing the remaining members, but it will come down to a vote of the conference. 

I can have no specific comment on the directions that will be taken by the remaining members of what is now the “Pac-4.” Those institutions face difficult options and decisions. And any acceptance into our conference would require the support of the Mountain West board, not just UH. My board colleagues and I are in regular communication with our highly capable Conference Commissioner and are excited about the opportunities ahead.”

As it stands right now, the four remaining members are either counting on invitations from other conferences whether it be the Big 12, the Big Ten for Stanford and Cal, or if it comes down to it; the Mountain West.