Barring an 11th-hour surge, University of Hawai'i football season ticket sales could dip below the 20,000 mark for the first time in nearly 25 years.

At the close of business yesterday, and with 16 days remaining before the Sept. 3 season opener, school officials said 19,195 season tickets have been sold. That's 3,589 below last year's final total of 22,784.

UH officials project season ticket revenues will come in close to or possibly surpass last year's $4.84 million. "Since we're not done selling, I would assume it will be some where in that ballpark, if not exceeding it," said Lois Manin, UH sports information director.

UH said $4.75 million has been taken in so far. Revenues include seat premiums and packages tied to 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue, the athletic department booster club.

The sales figures coincide with an increase in fees to secure the most desirable seating locations.

UH has sold at least 20,000 season tickets every year since the early 1980s. The previous low in that period was 20,600 in 1998, Fred vonAppen's final year at UH.

"We are pleased with the response so far in season ticket sales," athletic director Herman Frazier said in a release. He added, "We're hoping to get a late surge from students, who will begin classes next week, and any last-minute purchasers."

UH began selling individual game tickets and four-game Western Athletic Conference packs Monday morning.

Meanwhile, UH said "about 9,000" tickets remain for the season opener with Southern California. Of the more than 40,000 tickets already issued for the game, UH said 10,000 have gone to USC.