UH ticket sales for 2008 to eclipse last season’s

Losing a Heisman Trophy finalist and his posse of receivers may hurt Hawaii in the win-loss column this fall. But it hasn't led to a decline in football season-ticket sales.

A conservative estimate provided by the school indicates UH already has commitments for around 2,000 more ticket packages for the 2008 home slate than what it sold for 2007, when the most successful season in school history was anticipated (and achieved).

"Right now, we're going with a soft number of 24,500," associate athletic director John McNamara said, noting it includes some new purchasers who have only made deposits so far. "We're only about 75 percent through callbacks to the fans who put deposits down."

A total of 98 percent of depositors last year (the first year of the program) followed through with purchases, McNamara said.

The projection also includes an estimate of 1,000 student purchases, consistent with last year's sales.

Last year's total season tickets sold were 22,975.

UH still has a way to go, though, to reach its self-stated goal of 30,000. McNamara said it is attainable because it still has two months to sell.

"All the callbacks should be completed by next week," McNamara said. "Then we start ramping up for the campaign that starts July 7."

McNamara and athletic director Jim Donovan are also optimistic that reduced ticket prices in some sections of Aloha Stadium will spur sales.

"Plus we're offering 50 percent off on a special road pay-per-view package to season-ticket holders of record and those who buy by July 18," McNamara said.