Notre Dame Football: Scheduling Conflict Shouldn't Sack Road Trip to Hawaii

A scheduling conflict is forcing Notre Dame to completely scrap the idea of playing a road game at the University of Hawaii.

Fix it.

The two schools were in discussions about a potential Dec. 1 game in Honolulu to end the 2012 season. It was supposed to be a tribute of sorts for Manti Te’o and Robby Toma, two seniors that are Hawaiian natives.

It was a tremendous idea, but on Monday, UH athletic director Jim Donovan spoke with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and announced the unlikelihood of the game: 

"Behind the scenes we were trying to help make it happen, but there were just so many things that had to happen."

The main issue is the fact Hawaii already has a game scheduled that day against Southern Alabama. That certainly qualifies as a conflict. No offense to the Jaguars, but I think Notre Dame has the power to bump them.

Hawaii would rake in a boatload of money for both the university and for local business. How many Irish alum would be thrilled to take off a long weekend (or extend Thanksgiving break) for a trip to see their team while wearing a Hawaiian lei? The loyal fanbase would fill the stadium.

South Alabama? I’m not so sure the parents of players will show up.

As the schedule stands right now, the 2012 season concludes with a trip to USC on Nov. 24. They will be shut out of the last week of the season, one that typically is the biggest in the entire sport. The Irish need to be involved.

Maybe the athletic department can reach out to Southern Alabama and come to an agreement. Te’o even took to Twitter to encourage the department to keep on trying:

"

That is one of the many examples that shows how special a place notre dame is. I love my school. I hope we can still work things out. #WeRND

— Manti Te'o (@MTeo_5) February 22, 2012"

Who knows if the talks can be reignited, but I do know there is no shortage of people that want this to happen.

Your move, Notre Dame.