UH season ticket holders get Sugar fix
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Left behind in Hawaii, fans still can get seats for game
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The new currency of excitement known as Sugar Bowl tickets kept its luster yesterday as season ticket holders put dibs on nearly half of a fresh stash.
Of the 1,000 extra Sugar Bowl tickets made available yesterday, season ticket holders reserved 489; the rest go on sale tomorrow.
Season ticket holders who did not have a chance to purchase tickets earlier were able to reserve as many as six tickets yesterday. The UH Ticket Office will return calls today to finalize the purchases.
"I'm glad we were able to accommodate all of the football season ticket holders who were interested in Sugar Bowl tickets," said athletic director Herman Frazier.
Meanwhile, a local entrepreneur has reserved the Blaisdell Arena to show the Hawaii-Georgia game New Year's Day on two huge high-definition screens. Admission will be free, with food, drinks and souvenirs for sale.
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Shaking ticket tree yields 1,000 more
So what's the score?
In the days remaining before the Sugar Bowl, that question can only mean one thing: Who has how many tickets and where are the seats?
That vague picture became marginally clearer yesterday when the University of Hawaii provided a general breakdown of how many people -- including those at the university -- were allotted tickets for the Hawaii-Georgia matchup in New Orleans on New Year's Day.
So far, said athletic director Herman Frazier, 11,339 tickets have been allocated to the Koa Anuenue booster club and season ticket holders, 1,530 tickets to the team and staff, 1,500 for travel packages, 631 for corporate partners and 250 for administrators, alumni and the UH Foundation. That brings the total to 15,250 tickets.
Frazier said they were able to release about 1,000 tickets, which were made available to season ticket holders yesterday.
After going through the original ticket allocation, "we then have been able to shake out additional tickets," Frazier said. "And that's where those tickets came from. So they came from our existing allotments."
The 15,250 tickets available to UH includes the 1,500 extra tickets provided by the Sugar Bowl and 250 tickets provided by the Western Athletic Conference, Orange Bowl and friends from collegiate football.
A list of the names of people who will be representing the team and university was not available yesterday. Frazier said that particular list will be available later.
Meanwhile, 489 of the 1,000 tickets made available solely to season ticket holders yesterday have been reserved for purchase, according to a news release. The ticket office will return calls today to finalize ticket purchases.
The remaining tickets will be made available to season ticket holders tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office or by phone at 956-4482, 956-4483 or 956-4484. There is a limit of six tickets per season ticket holder.
Tickets doled out
Here is a list of how the University of Hawaii is dividing up its 15,250-ticket allotment:
» Koa Anuenue booster club and season ticket holders: 11,339
» Team and staff: 1,530
» Travel packages: 1,500
» Corporate partners: 631
» Administration, alumni and UH Foundation: 250
Source: University of Hawaii Athletics Department
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Left behind in Hawaii, fans still can get seats for game
OK, it's not the Superdome and there won't be 70,000 frenzied fans, but it is a chance to see the University of Hawaii Warriors' Sugar Bowl battle in the company of several thousand like-minded souls.
Those who can't afford that trip to New Orleans can head for the Blaisdell Arena on New Year's Day instead, and it'll cost thousands less. Nothing, in fact.
Pono Shim of Concierge Services at the Ward Entertainment Complex is throwing the "Largest Shuga Party in Hawaii," beginning at 2:45 p.m. Jan. 1, with the game between Hawaii and Georgia shown on two extra-large high-definition screens.
Because the game is being broadcast for free, Shim won't charge admission, but food, drinks and Sugar Bowl merchandise will be sold . Shim also is seeking sponsors.
Specifics on how to get tickets for the reserved seats will be announced in the next few days, Shim said, but those who buy official Sugar Bowl programs from his Web site, www.hawaiiconcierge.com, will be eligible for one ticket for every program purchased. The programs are selling for $25.
He also plans to reserve one section for former UH football players and other athletes. All players will be allowed two tickets each until all seats in the section are gone.
Those who are attending the game in New Orleans, meanwhile, are invited to a "Cajun-Warriors New Year's Eve Bash" with coach June Jones and the UH band and cheerleaders. Cajun food and entertainment will be served up, along with caricature artists, palm readers and fire breathers.
The party will run from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31 at Generations Hall, in the city's historic Warehouse District. Admission is $125. Tickets can be purchased at Murphy's Bar & Grill, Hukilau Restaurant in Downtown Honolulu and the AIO Group office or online at www.hawaiicajunbash.com.
Proceeds will benefit the Na Koa Football Club, as well as New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, on behalf of the university. Call 754-1502 or (510) 414-0292 for more information.
