Interesting article on Hawaii's lack of fan base (along with a little Bama love)

[Born_a_Tider]

We get a little love at the end of the article. Congrats to all of you who travelled to Hawaii to help the writer see the force we are.

As if fan turnout last season wasn't disappointing enough, Hawaii's football season ticket renewals have dropped 11.6 percent from last year's 18,449 to this year's 16,300.

Oh and by the way, this is a trend. Season ticket renewals have dropped every year since 2002 (23,093) by an average of about 1,698 tickets per year. At that rate, in five years will season ticket renewals be down to just 7,809?

Look no further than Alabama, Hawaii's season opening opponent this year, to see how fans can impact a football team and make them great.

Alabama's stadium seats 90,000 at home and consistently fills those seats whether they are playing a national champion or a division II school. Not surprisingly Alabama has one of the most respected programs in the NCAA and they have one of the loudest and most difficult stadiums for opponents to play in.

When Alabama came to Aloha Stadium to play Hawaii a few years ago, they brought some 10,000 fans with them. There they were, a sea of red from thousands of miles away, cheering on the team they so proudly support year in and year out.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uwire-hawaiimissinganswerstomiss&prov=uwire&type=lgns

 

[Alanbama27]

Frankly I can think of a million reasons not to go to Hawaii football games, the least of which is this...even when they are good, they're not that good! It's not like they'll be going to a BCS Bowl or even competing to. The biggest issue to me is this...why can't they recruit any better than they do? If lived on the west coast or close to it (Arizona, Washington, Oregon) I'd love to spend the next 5 years of my life in Hawaii rather than UGH, USC which sits in Scumville!

I'd go after all of the 5 star recruits and tell them to just recruit the other 5 stars and after a short period of time, they'd all go to Hawaii! Wow, could you imagine spending 5 years (fully paid) to live in Hawaii? Can you say GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!!!

 

[BamaSkins]

interesting thought...one would think Hawaii could get all the 5*'s they wanted...they have paradise on earth to play in...as was mentioned plenty of girls...nice weather, etc...BUT they don't have a winning tradition and I don't think 5* players are going to a loser, they don't want to be associated with that idea...plus they are hardly ever on TV, the boys today want to see their mugs on the tube...let's not forget they can and do get the girls anywhere they go...so I don't think we'll ever see the island flooded with 5*'s...5*'s are looking to the NFL and they want exposure and winning traditions...programs that can get them to the NFL...that's why ALABAMA is and will be tops...all we need is to start winning some of our traditional rival games and the house will be ok...'06 is the year to do that...beat the barn in '06...

 

[TommyMac]

Frankly I can think of a million reasons not to go to Hawaii football games, the least of which is this...even when they are good, they're not that good! It's not like they'll be going to a BCS Bowl or even competing to. The biggest issue to me is this...why can't they recruit any better than they do? If lived on the west coast or close to it (Arizona, Washington, Oregon) I'd love to spend the next 5 years of my life in Hawaii rather than UGH, USC which sits in Scumville!

I'd go after all of the 5 star recruits and tell them to just recruit the other 5 stars and after a short period of time, they'd all go to Hawaii! Wow, could you imagine spending 5 years (fully paid) to live in Hawaii? Can you say GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!!!

Maybe they make them eat poi.

 

[Bama323]

We get a little love at the end of the article. Congrats to all of you who travelled to Hawaii to help the writer see the force we are.





http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uwire-hawaiimissinganswerstomiss&prov=uwire&type=lgns

I imagine there will be quite a few Hawaii football players in awe when they see Bryant-Denny rocking right before game time this coming season. I dont think any of them have ever played in a stadium as large as Bryant-Denny, and definetely not as loud.

 

[BeenwiththeBear]

Hawaii is a nice place to visit, but living there is another story.

I rented a car in Honolulu to tour the island and was back in 4 hours (after having stopped at many places). It is a bit claustrophobic.

Add to that, about a 5 hour flight from there to LA or San Francisco, a mainland recruit could experiance some major home-sickness.

 

[Vegas4Bama]

Ahem.......

We were part of that "Sea of Crimson" in the Aloha Stadium and we indeed were the proverbial 12th man that day and "helped" Bama do it! lol

Also, a few years back, the RV contention and some 25,000 (reported) made the trip to Pasadena to play the UCLA Bruins; but on this day, the fan base could NOT help as we lost to the Bruins....

You know, it gives me "big-ole-chilly-bumps" to see so much red apparel in an opponents stadium when we are at an away game.......image what it does FOR the team when they hear/see that many of their fans there, travelling sometimes great distances to watch BAMA!

Man, I just got a lump in my throat when I wrote the last sentence!

Roll Tide Roll........can't wait for the season to begin!!:mad2: :biga:

 

[Proxigean Tide]

I was also in Pasadena and it was probably one the most impressive (non-bowl game) long distance displays of fan support ever.

Hawaii can recruit the pacific islands and the west coast, but it does have a small population. Hawaii is beautiful, but you can get "rock fever" as being surrounded by water 365 days a year does get a bit claustrophobic. RTR.

 

[rizolltizide]

I was also in Pasadena and it was probably one the most impressive (non-bowl game) long distance displays of fan support ever.

I was there too and I totally agree.

Hawaii can recruit the pacific islands and the west coast, but it does have a small population. Hawaii is beautiful, but you can get "rock fever" as being surrounded by water 365 days a year does get a bit claustrophobic. RTR.

Samoans in the house.

 

[GrandBayTider]

Wow, could you imagine spending 5 years (fully paid) to live in Hawaii? Can you say GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!!!

Actually I did do that (well 4 yrs)! Thanks to Uncle Sam, and yes there were plenty of GIRLS! :biggrin: Have turned down job offers to go back though for a variety of reasons. It is hard to get up that early to watch Bama football for one!