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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, January 22, 2010

UH eyes ticket price hike


By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

Some sideline single game tickets for the University of Hawai'i's Sept. 2 football season opener against Southern California could rise from $38 to $50 and UH student tickets for the game could go from $8 to $15 under proposals headed to the Board of Regents.

The examples were contained in a proposal to increase the ticket pricing structure for UH athletic events that will go to a public hearing Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Wong Hospitality Room of the Stan Sheriff Center. Comments may also be made by e-mail to cclapp@hawaii.edu.

UH is also proposing to raise the cost of some premium seating locations in the future, including football and women's volleyball.

Athletic director Jim Donovan said the proposals are a "function of housekeeping" and "may not even get up to the maximum over the next three or even five years."

But because, under UH policy, any proposal to adjust the ticket pricing structure must go to the regents and be accompanied by public comment, Donovan said the athletic department was asking to readjust the scale "in case it becomes necessary to make a change in the next few years."

No date has been set to put the proposals before the regents.

UH policy notes, "In order to meet the rising costs associated with running a nationally competitive multi-sport program required to address gender equity concerns, admission fees to events will continue to serve as a primary source of revenue to address such costs."

The athletic department has been running at a net accumulated deficit of more than $5 million built up over the past six years. Projections call for a deficit in the neighborhood of $2 million for the current fiscal year that ends June 30, UH officials have said.

While UH officials said individual game tickets in some areas for the USC game might rise, they said the $38 maximum for individual game sideline seats for the other six home games would not.

UH said prices for the current spring sports, including baseball and men's volleyball, are not impacted.

More information is available at www.hawaiiathletics.com.

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