There is an enormous amount riding on Saturday's University of Hawaii football game against the University of Washington.

A win could be worth millions, money the U.H. athletic department could spend upgrading facilities some call "embarrassing."

If the Warriors beat a very average Washington team, they will most likely be invited to a big name BCS bowl game, and with that invitation comes millions of dollars for the athletic department.

As Hawaii moved closer to victory over Boise State last Friday, and within one win of that likely invitation to a BCS bowl game, ESPN announcer Sean McDonough made this remark.

"If they (Hawaii) do get to a BCS Bowl game, let's hope they spend some of the money on facilities here because folks if you saw their practice field and their office building, you'd be amazed they could have this kind of success with their facilities in quite frankly an embarrassing state of disrepair."

McDonough must have been referring to Cooke Field. It is the university's artificial turf field but it is missing artificial turf. Cook is covered with soft black material that once served as padding under artificial turf.

McDonough certainly was not referring to the football team's grass practice field because it is beautiful.

In fact several of the athletic department's facilities are being spruced up.

A million dollars are being spent on new turf at Les Murakami Stadium. The tennis complex was recently re-built, a $3.4 million expenditure. And the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex just got a face lift.

"We're very fortunate. We just had a million and a half dollars or so spent here. Re-roofing, painting, making some safety improvements at the facility," said U.H. Aquatic Coordinator Bruce Kennard.

A U.H. athletic department spokesperson tells KGMB9 the university has spent more than $10 million on athletic facilities since 2000.

Still, players say they do not have sparkling locker rooms, showers, and other amenities like those found at other universities.

"It's something that I think we deserve. We're not one of the worst teams in all of college football. We're actually up there, you know. So I think we do deserve better facilities. It's one of the worst that I've seen," said linebacker Solomon Elimimian Monday when questioned about facilities.

Some of the improvements the football team covets may now be just one win away.

"Certainly I would think if you get to the big dance (BCS bowl game) it's going to help. The athletic department get some money. Hopefully that means Cooke Field would get some field turf," said UH coach June Jones.

If Hawaii beats Washington and is invited to a BCS bowl game, the athletic department stands to get in the neighborhood of $4.5 to $5 million.

About a million could go to bowl game expenses, but everything after that is pure profit.

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