UH Sugar Bowl travel party update, Athletic Department to lose money in 2009

HA Note: "The state's Office of Information Practices said it has asked the University of Hawai'i to explain why the school has so far refused to release the list of people who made up the official traveling party to the Sugar Bowl. An OIP spokesman declined further comment. The question comes a day after UH held what a spokesman described as an "informational" meeting with staffers who attended the Jan. 1 game in New Orleans. At the meeting, 20 or more staffers were told they could have their names taken off the list prior to release if they reimbursed the school for the trip.

As many as 600, including players and band members, may have made up the UH traveling party, although the school has yet to announce a figure. Athletic department officials have estimated approximately $2 million was spent but have yet to provide an accounting despite requests filed under the Freedom of Information Act. The Advertiser has asked OIP to assist in expediting release of the list."

HA Note: "Takayama said the university, which has so far maintained the list is "not finalized" according to the counsel's office, would be releasing the list early next month. Staffers Tuesday were told, according to Takayama, that if they wanted their names removed from that list they should reimburse the school "ASAP" but "probably in the next week to 10 days they need to" make the payment. Takayama said "20 to 30" people had family members attending the game as part of the UH travel party. He would not say what the costs were or how many had indicated they would reimburse the school."

HA Note: "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which filed similar requests regarding UH's Sugar Bowl opponent Georgia, received information concerning a 745-member Bulldog traveling party and $2.2 million in expenses, all of which were detailed in a May 6 story."

HA Note: "How UH was putting together its travel party was a big enough concern in December that the State Ethics Commission — which said it had fielded questions about the process — had a meeting with school officials in an effort to head off possible problems."

About how the Athletic Department could face a $1.7 mil deficit in 2009, adding to their $4.5+ mil cumulative deficit, JD said:
"The budget in the near term is a challenge, and it's a challenge we're going to start to address." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Donovan said the department, which has operated on a $26 million annual budget, would have encountered a similar deficit for the 2008 fiscal year if not for the payout from the Warrior football team's appearance in the Sugar Bowl, about $2.3 million after expenses."

About how they will figure out ways to deal with the deficit, JD said:
"I anticipate the (deficit) number to change as we do different things to address it. It really encompasses enhancing existing revenue streams and finding new revenue streams." (HSB)

About how fans help the Athletic Department by buying tickets to the games, JD said:
"The easiest way (to help) is to buy season tickets or come out to a game." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Donovan wouldn't rule out the possibility of selling tickets for sports that don't currently charge admission, such as softball, down the road. But added that such a move would be weighed against maintaining the current fan base for those teams."