Clapp ‘ecstatic’ over early ticket sales
His choice of exercise equipment is an elliptical bicycle where he can go for mindless 30-minute rides that end up nowhere.
It's in direct contrast with Carl Clapp's daily routine as interim athletic director at the University of Hawaii. The self-described multi-tasker continues to move on the future while dealing with the present, all while making sure he's not spinning his wheels.
The home football season opener against Weber State is more than six months away, yet Clapp and associate athletic director John McNamara were out at Aloha Stadium "to keep the communication lines open," Clapp said.
The top issues continue to be traffic and parking.
"We want to make sure we're addressing the issues that have been expressed to us by fans," McNamara said. "We want to continue improving the fan experience by evaluating how to make it better. The stadium (officials) has done a lot and we want to make sure those efforts continue."
New season-ticket orders for football continue to be received, a hopeful sign that the announced goal of 30,000 season tickets will be met. Last year's sales totaled 22,975; the renewal letters go out Feb. 26.
"I don't know if I'd call it a surprise because we made sure we'd offer opportunities for people to support us," Clapp said. "I'm ecstatic about what we've seen so far."
On other matters:
» Clapp said the issue of the $400,008 owed by former football coach June Jones to the school is a personnel matter being handed by the UH Human Resources Department. The amount is for "liquidated damages" for leaving six months before his contract expired.
"I'm sure everyone involved will do the right thing," Clapp said.
» McNamara said there had been "unofficial interest" shown by another entity regarding the television rights to broadcast UH sports. The current contracts for both TV (KFVE) and radio (KKEA 1420-AM) expire July 31.
KFVE and KKEA were given the first shot at negotiating the extension of their respective contracts. KKEA has submitted its proposal, KFVE has until Feb. 29.
» Clapp said discussion continues on the pay-per-view situation but "we're just chatting," he said.
Regarding the suggestion of a reduction of the PPV price for season-ticket holders, Clapp said: "I'm not aware of any changes."