NCAA approves UH football camp in Hilo
Acknowledging the impact of the Kilauea eruption, the NCAA has approved a request to allow the Warriors to host a football clinic Friday on the UH-Hilo campus.
NCAA rules restrict a Division I school to only holding football camps for high-school players on its campus.
“Because UH-Hilo is the sister campus, or whatever you want to call it, we asked if we could have it there because of the volcano,” UH coach Nick Rolovich told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “They approved it.”
Rolovich said the clinic’s times have yet to be determined while travel arrangements are being finalized. But Rolovich said the clinic is is free and open to students entering the ninth through 12th grade of high school.
The clinic is a result of a brainstorming session last week. Of the NCAA’s blessing, Rolovich said, “I’m glad the NCAA had a heart for this one. Remember the Grinch who stole Christmas? At a certain point, his heart grew and it grew and it grew.”
We need to build a fanbase on the Neighbor Islands too. Important. Especially with all the talent available over on the other islands.
UH needs to figure out a way to fill the Stadium. In the section where we tailgate, a lot of times there were young, next generation (college aged) fans. When it came time to pack up and head into the game our group would be walking toward the stadium while their group would pack up, get into their trucks, and leave. UH has to get more people (any people; Neighbor islanders, kids, even tourists via promotions) in the stadium. The “lure” is there. I think it really is there for the college aged fan base. Their tailgate looked like they had a lot of fun. Got to get them in the stadium. The change in the offensive style is a good start (lets hope so). We need them. All of them.
A winning season would help tremendously. More general admission parking and expanded TV coverage would help.
I agree with H-Man – they should never had reserved the inner circle for parking passes. Instead, they should have just raised the prices for parking in that area because the hardcore tailgaters would pay the price and it would open up more parking in the Halawa lots. A lot of regular fans and season ticket holders were disenchanted when their tailgating ritual was disrupted and they left and never did return. those of us who remain migrated to the lower lot but for a good amount of people who endured ticket price increases, premium seat charges, and the closure of the pre-tailgating on the Kam HWY ramp, losing the ability to park in the circle where the tailgating is nicest was the straw that broke the camel’s back. To them, watching the game on PPV or at a bar was a better alternative…
The tailgate availability is the more important issue here, especially with the programs current appeal (though it will change soon in my opinion). I think that facet is always going to be overlooked by the Upper level UH people. The game can be anti-climactic at times and a lot of people cant wait to get back to their tailgate by the end of the third quarter. The after game tailgate is part of the customary pastime as well, I hope the UH brass understands that too. The entire game day process (maybe 14 hours for some) can become addicting when each part of the activity is enjoyable, so enough space for tailgating is crucial. We have to figure it out.
A huge cause of declining interest was raising the drinking age to 21.
Pay per view (home games) is a good idea when the program is drawing 30000+ per game but in the situation UH is in right now (every year since 2010 actually) it may really be hurting and not helping as much. On game days, when I’m heading to the stadium, I usually pass by several patio’s with nice “tailgate” parties starting up. They should be at the stadium and not at home. We just got to make sure there is enough room for everyone wanting to come to the game. Neighbor Islands should have a deeply discounted price as well. In my opinion they should. They’ll (UH brass) figure it out.
RE: #1
Although many disliked the past AD, he was committed to bringing UH sports to the neighbor islands. Got to watch UH men’s basketball (3 times), men’s volleyball, and women’s softball on Maui during his tenure. It was a real treat for us and for the many who cannot make the plane ride to Oahu. I’m hoping Rolo will be able to pull some strings one day to bring UH football back to Maui. Just like how he was able to travel (unfortunately not play that game) during that rememberable 2001 season.
#4,#5 are closer to the core of the reason for decline in attendance. My group was a victim of the new rules. A lot of our gang never went to UH games and came because we had tailgate theme nights. They then bought single tickets and in the ensuing years became season ticket holders. The group got quite large. Then came the changes and PPV. The ambience was lost with the restrictions and so the event was moved to a garage where the same themes, Times and fellowship continued. The only difference was that we moved into the house to watch and cheer for our team and went back to the garage to pick up as we once did, in the parking lot until it was time to go home. I don’t think the Stadium Authority and UH realized the enormity of the cultural shift that they created when they changed the rules on tailgating. Or maybe it was just our group.
unfortunately, UH and Aloha Stadium decided to “tap” the same pot for increased prices for you name it and the food at the Stadium sucks!
UH, especially, had no desire to seek other sources of revenue — just make the same people pay more for parking, tickets, food, etc.
wonder how successful Costco hot dog and drink for $1.50 would be?
really bad part about Aloha Stadium is the infrequent use of the facility — basically, football and das it — once in a grey moon a Bruno Mars concert comes along
7.
When boxing went the pay-per-view route, I didn’t go chasing it.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Hawaii Development League replaces Hawaii Basketball Summer League, after 41 years.
https://www.thehdleague.com/#team
This is an example of how UH can promote a game package for Neighbor Island families. This is just an example (legal disclaimer?)
The package could be offered for the Thanksgiving Week game which is usually the season ending game on the final week of November. Although there is a lot going on here and can be a busy time for Oahu residents (party planning, serious shopping, etc.) the timing is perfect for the Neighbor Island staycation visitor. Prep (and Pop Warner?) football season ends the week before so most obligations are done and there would be free time to come to Oahu and take in a UH game. Rates for hotels and air fare are usually cheapest in November (it does go up some during Thanksgiving weekend but it is still in the middle of a dead period here as far as our visitor count) and can be an excellent value. If the HSTA can offset the cost of the tickets for them (via some voucher agreement) then the game portion of their experience would be met. The logistics for their tailgate portion would be more difficult to figure out but it can be solved. Everyone needs a chance to experience a UH game day here. Especially kids. Lots of talent from Neighbor Islands. We need them to form some attachment to UH Athletics
Back in the Dick Tomey days, my uncle would park in the residential area and we’d walk. 40,000+ fans meant no parking. Today, I do this with my cousin, even though it’s probably unnecessary. When we reach the parking lot, we notice a lot of empty spaces.
I guess my question is if it takes a long time to get out of the lot. At the Stan Sheriff Center, the attendance can be in the low four-thousand mark and I still face gridlock.
David Noworyta is the new Grady Symonds.
If you’re a baseball fan, you understand this.
In my college days during the Tomeyand Wagner dsys, you could come early (3:30) because the games started at 7. Evenbusy families could make it. To top it off, you could stay after the game for post tailgate. It was an event to be there. Shouldn’t we try moving games back to 7? All this talk about swap meet would be moot. There is room for everyone. I know Wags made a big deal about that start time because he’d aid the p,Ayers didn’t have time for a personal life and our scores didn’t make mainland news outlets. Well, we all know that doesn’t matter any more in the digital age, and by the time the game is done, I’m sure all the players care about is bed. 7 pm start? Can’t hurt.
Listened to Phil Steele on BC Show. He predicted Hawaii 6th (last) in conference West Division. Boise St top dog; Fresno St in West.
New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=46025