Frazier accustomed
to making listsBut the Hawaii AD is checking
twice on 2002 football revenue, future
schedules and season-ticket renewals
Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier says it's a compliment to be included among Sports Illustrated's list of the 101 most influential minorities in sports in the magazine's current issue. But he isn't exactly shocked.
"Something like that is good for our school, our community and for our recruiting efforts," Frazier said. "But if you're in my position and you're not in there, you might want to wonder why."
Frazier is ranked No. 59, between Atlanta Falcons executive Ray Anderson (58) and New York Jets coach Herman Edwards (60). Most would agree that's pretty good company on any list of sports movers and shakers.
Frazier said he was No. 70 in a Sporting News list of the most influential American sports people (regardless of race) a few years ago.
If such a list were compiled for Hawaii, Frazier and UH football coach June Jones would probably be in the top two spots. Jones runs a program which generated between $3.7 and $3.8 million in ticket sales last fall, Frazier said.
Football made a profit of around $800,000 for the 2001 season. The final numbers aren't in for 2002 yet, but a profit of more than $400,000 from the first year of pay-per-view and another $100,000 in the black from the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl means UH could meet or exceed last year's $4.3 million in total revenue from football.
"We'll analyze the numbers in the coming weeks," Frazier said.
As for season-ticket renewals for the coming season, Frazier said there have been some cancellations, including a few specifically because of premium increases.
"We thought we would lose a few. But in talking to staff, we're determining it's no more than usual," Frazier said. "People waiting to purchase additional seats and new season-ticket buyers should more than make up for it."
After the renewal period ends May 9, Frazier said the department will call some subscribers who canceled to find out why.
The general public can begin buying season tickets "sometime in June," he said, following a period when new packages are available exclusively to UH students and staff.
One fan canceled season tickets because UH is opening with a home game against Appalachian State, Frazier said. But this is a good year for conference home games compared to last season (the Warriors host conference contenders Boise State and Fresno State). Nonconference encounters with Alabama and Army should be attractive draws, too.
Frazier, who has booked home and away games with Michigan State and a home game with Purdue, said he will continue to add teams from power conferences to the football schedules.
"I announced to alumni that in 2006 and beyond we will look at Big Ten, Pac-10, Big-12, SEC and the service academies," he said.
Frazier also said there are no plans for UH to go independent in football.
"That's not an option for us. As one looks at the cost for teams to come here as well as us going all over the country, it would have a severe impact on our budget. Notre Dame may be the only school that can do what they do," said Frazier, who added that the positive of the stability of a conference outweighs the constraints of being in a league.
"Being in a conference gives you guaranteed opponents. It's too difficult to sustain your program and find games (as an independent). What happens if teams drop off at late notice?"
As for marketing, Frazier said he is reviewing the deal UH has with Steinberg and Moorad. The renewable annual agreement expires June 30.
"They have been in to meet with us recently and made proposals," Frazier said.
Jones said recently he expects his contract renegotiation to be done in time to start the 2003 season. He is entering into the last season of a five-year deal.
Frazier declined to confirm that time frame. But he indicated talks, which include Jones' agent, Leigh Steinberg of the previously mentioned Steinberg and Moorad, have gone well.
"We are continuing to have great conversations on that front," Frazier said.
UH Athletics