Over the last two weeks, a good deal of discussion (often heated) has erupted around two OIA teams who have lost "homecourt" because of OC16 television games.
So I'll put down some answers to frequently asked questions and concerns.
Look them over, feel free to write a comment with anything else you'd like to know.
With further ado... Let's get to it.
In General
* The OIA and OC16 have a working relationship that now spans 19-years. OC16 does not demand anything. We talk with the OIA and the AD coordinator of each sport to get our games, schedule, and locations. Basically we provide the dates for TV games and the OIA looks it over and selects the teams. Of course we're both looking for good, competitive matches that make for good TV viewing.
* Producing and televising TV games is not cheap. A single night averages $20,000. So we try to have the most economical means to do them. Fiber connections at regional sites - McKinley, Mililani - provide the highest quality means of transmission at the cheapest price. Transmitting via microwave and satellite adds thousands of dollars to the aforementioned price tag. So why not fiber every gym and field? Well that bill would push into the millions of dollars.
* We try to save money because we want and are asked to do more games and more sports every year.
* We are moving towards getting to new locations. We did football games from Waianae twice in 2007 via satellite, two games from Kailua's field via satellite, Leilehua, and Kahuku. Can we be at every field for every week? Not likely but we're trying.
* In football - we will install fiber in Roosevelt's newly refurbished football field. So that will allow for an "East" regional football site. East teams will no longer have to come to Mililani's field.
* Volleyball, basketball, softball games are all scheduled as doubleheaders for TV for two reasons. One, to provide the most opportunities for student-athletes to be showcased. Two, to make the economics work because those single matches are faster than one football game.
Specifics for Kahuku and Campbell Situation
* Sites and rounds were selected weeks in advance of the start of playoffs. It wasn't a case of looking where Mililani was seeded and bracketed then going "Ah hah, let's make it easier for the Trojans!" Again the criteria for how and why things are done is above in the general points.
* Does this end up giving Mililani homecourt advantage, even inadvertent? Yes. And we're sorry for that. We'll take all comments and concerns into account when we do our post-season evaluations with the OIA. We'll work to make things better. In the end things will never be perfect for all situations. Some will gripe that even a neutral court isn't good enough.
Random Thoughts
* Do you know that OC16 does not even come close to making money on these games? If we were close to breaking even - my boss would faint. It is a community service mainly with yes, some public relations/marketing value. Of course we hope you like OC16 and want to watch it and feel it's a part of the reason you subscribe to Oceanic services.
* Besides the rights fees we pay the leagues, OC16 contributes monies to scholarship funds and events on a more than regular basis. Will this appease those who think we're exploiting the leagues and students? I doubt it. Nothing I can put out will change that sort of view. But it was worth stating for those that don't know what OC16 does in terms of the money equation.
* Every year, one of these flare ups happens in terms of schools being inconvenience with moving games. I know the OIA helps them with bus rental money to offset that travel cost. OC16 tries to repay the favor by going to their school for something - like how we go out to Kahuku for football and added Kailua this year. We won't forget Campbell's situation so it's safe to say if we can do something from there in the future we will. As of this writing, we can't broadcast from that location.
* If you didn't know. I am a Mililani graduate - Class of 1988. If you think I am (or anybody else here at OC16) is slanting things to favor Mililani or simply hurt any school - feel free to contact me direct. You can get my direct email address at the head of this blog under my picture. Phone wise...my direct line is 625-8506. Either one will work and I'll get back to you personally. I think discussing different points of views is wonderful. We can all grow and learn from each other.
In The End
* I hope these points help or least allow some greater understanding of life and work with OC16 and prep athletics.
* We will soon be entering our 20th season of OIA sports on OC16. It's the OIA principals and AD's who all vote and decide if this relationship continues. I would hope people give these men and women credit for being the leaders they are and that they care about Hawaii's young people. There is no way I'm smart enough to fool so many of them to keep the OIA on OC16. Which also leads to the fact, we've signed a deal with the ILH. So they too see value to putting their students and schools' programs on TV.
* I'm open and available any time to answer or talk about your views and concerns. And yes, I can help sign you up for cable service...smile.
* Myself, everyone here at OC16, the OIA and so on truly care about helping advance and promote student-athletes. I recognize we might not all agree on how that's done.
P.S.
* Soccer fans...we'll look at more events in the future for sure!
Everyone thanks for being passionate and caring about student-athletes no matter where you fall on this issue. Take care and have a great day and night.
Much aloha,
Dave Vinton
Director OC16 Sports
Hawai'i's Newspaper Online 
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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