Posted on: Friday, July 16, 2004
University of Hawai'i has new premium-seat plan
| • | Loan from chancellor to aid UH athletics |
By Ferd Lewis and Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writers
The University of Hawai'i-Manoa athletic department announced a new premium-seat plan designed to more than triple income tied to seat-location fees for football by 2006.
The plan, which is to begin in 2005, would involve seven levels of donations — from "fan" to "ali'i" — with various minimum prices and benefits for each level.
Athletic director Herman Frazier, who unveiled the framework of the plan before a Board of Regents committee yesterday, said specific prices would be announced "over the next couple of months."
The department took in $794,704 through mandatory donations — money above the face value of tickets — from those purchasing football seats in prime locations in the just-completed fiscal year, and projects to realize $2.7 million in 2006, the second year of the new plan.
"What we're going to try to do from the gift-donation standpoint and ticket sales is see the numbers dramatically increase," Frazier told the regents' committee on University Audits.
Last year, the regents empowered the athletic department to set premium-seat donations as high as $220 each for selected seats.
The plan is a major pillar of Frazier's five-year plan to bring the athletic department to self sufficiency after three consecutive years of million-dollar budget deficits.
Under the new model, which combines the past efforts of Koa Anuenue, the umbrella organization, and other booster groups, Frazier said all contributors would become members of Koa Anuenue. Various perks, including free reserved parking, special tailgate parties, an athletic director's appreciation dinner, golf tournament and discounts at the Rainbowtique and Murphy's Bar & Grill would be among the benefits tied to the different levels.
Frazier said areas would be preserved to accommodate fans not paying premiums.
Regent Andres Albano Jr. said, "it is a good plan." Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert said the plan "is a good one because that's what I expect from an athletic director."
In other action, the committee on finance and facilities approved $1.9 million for corrective work on floodlights for Cooke Field and $500,000 for Klum Gym renovations. Frazier told the regents Cooke Field would also soon require a new artificial turf infield.
Reach Ferd lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044. Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
