Ben Jay, the athletic director at the University of Hawaii, is strongly considering reducing the seating capacity at Aloha Stadium from 50,000 to 35,000 by closing off several upper level sections. Jay pointed out that in 2013, the Rainbow Warrior football team had an average attendance of 26,637 people, and the program has not had more than 35,000 fan come to any of their past 18 home games over the last three season. By closing the upper levels, it would save the school money on clean up costs, provide more of a home-field advantage and look better on television. Jay stated, "I think there is at least a 50/50 chance, if not more really, (of closing down upper sections), depending on the numbers we get back from the stadium and our people. We want to find ways to give our season-ticket holders more value for their purchase. If there is one thing I've heard loud and wide this past season, it is that we need to give greater value to our loyal season-ticket holders. First and foremost, we have to show them the love for all the loyalty they've shown the program. There are people who have been buying season tickets for 20, 30, 40 years and we've gotta reward their loyalty. We live and die on football and we have to find ways to shore up football and enhance the revenue for the sake of all of our sports. As I told our staff, we have to rethink this whole thing, starting with football."
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-19-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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