Warriors expect a rise in season-ticket sales

The increase comes despite the uncertainty of its football schedule

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Unless hundreds of people forfeit $50 deposits, the number of University of Hawaii football season tickets sold is guaranteed to increase from the previous year for the first time since 2002.

Figures received from UH yesterday indicate 16,251 renewals to date coupled with deposits for a conservatively estimated 2,551 new packages adds up to 18,802 season tickets. A total of 18,215 season tickets were sold last year.

UH ticket office staff members are still accepting and counting renewals, including some generated by calls last week to those who had yet to renew. Associate athletic director John McNamara said fewer than 500 calls had to be made compared to 1,500 last year. About 15 football players assisted athletic department staff in the call-backs, McNamara said.

The renewal campaign began March 28, and for the first time featured the option of new purchasers putting down deposits to be first in line after renewals are sorted out.

The $50 deposit is per purchase, not season ticket, McNamara said.

In cases where depositors weren't sure how many tickets they want to buy, UH used the lower number for counting purposes.

Hawaii went 11-3 last year and ended the season ranked No. 24 in the coaches poll. The Warriors return Heisman Trophy candidate Colt Brennan at quarterback and 12 other starters.

UH's home schedule includes games against Western Athletic Conference rivals Boise State and Fresno State.

But the schedule has only six home games and 11 total -- causing heavy criticism of athletic director Herman Frazier. Frazier has said UH has had talks with Northern Colorado for a Sept. 1 home game, although no announcement has been made by UH.

"We definitely plan to have at least seven home games," McNamara said. "And the last time I talked to Herman, I know he's still working on a 13-game schedule."

McNamara said the call-backs to season-ticket holders who did not renew generated only around five complaints about the schedule.