Cal's football program opens the season this weekend against Hawaii in Australia, and for all the academic challenges and logistical hurdles, Cal AD Mike Williams "termed the decision a 'no brainer,'" according to Jon Wilner of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. The "money, the cultural experience and the television exposure" made opening the season in Sydney an opportunity Cal "could not turn down." Cal coach Sonny Dykes said, "We're the only game in town." Wilner notes the season officially starts Sept. 1, but Cal and Hawaii "received a waiver from the NCAA allowing them to play earlier." Dykes said, "It was really important for our players to come back and have an open week after the trip ... That was a big part of it, was getting the waiver by the NCAA." Wilner notes Cal will generate $1M more in profit than it would by "playing a standard home opener against a second-tier opponent." Williams "readily acknowledged the financial benefits but also noted that it would be an unprecedented opportunity for the players." The vast majority "received passports for the first time." Williams: "It was fun to see their eyes light up." An on-campus passport office "helped streamline the bureaucratic process while coaches and athletic department officials reached out to college and NFL teams with overseas experience to determine best practices." Meanwhile, Williams has "spoken to representatives of several Pac-12 schools with an interest in playing" in Australia. He said, "I wouldn't be surprised if this leads to something else. There have been some conversations about an annual game" ( SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/23 ).
CROWD GOES WILD : Organizers said that Saturday's game, shown in primetime on Friday in the U.S., "is expected to attract a crowd of more than 65,000." The AP's Dennis Passa noted the game, with Cal as the home team, will be the "first college football game played in Sydney and the first significant American football game played in Australia" since a '99 game between the Broncos and Chargers. That game "attracted more than 73,000 spectators" ( AP, 8/22 ).
