Comments on: Hawaii football: Todd Graham’s team put up a lot of points at Aloha Stadium, but that was a while ago

By: H-Man

H-Man — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 21:09:16 +0000

20,000 fan base now, but what’s going to happen with the new stadium. Many questions, like, will there be a place to tailgate? How will the parking be managed? I think the state is banking on fans taking the rail. But only seniors like me will use the rail. The younger fans will want to tailgate. Without that option, you will lose much of that crowd.

And Justsomeguy, Rolo really worked to connect with the young, 12 and under age group, creating a carnival-like “spring fling” and other activities involving youth groups. Which is fine, but he kind of overlooked the central and westside football crazy fans, choosing instead to focus on the Bishop Street group. Even at the spring-fling, there were more food trucks offering vegan or vegan-type fare.

By: H-Man

H-Man — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 18:55:34 +0000

The stadium was not empty, just a smaller crowd that pretty much filled the makai side. However, you don’t see this crowd because the cameras are on the makai side pointing at the mauka side. In the Mountain West, a fan base of 20,000 is very good. Cannot compare Hawaii to the Big 10 or SEC. Also keep in mind PPV really hurt attendance, couple that with the way the Stadium Authority mismanaged the stadium, especially the parking. They did no favors for UH football.

By: justsomeguy

justsomeguy — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 00:34:12 +0000

Sllenzi –

You are right on the money my man…..though those of us who regularly check these posts and ST’s blog ARE the ones showing up and contributing what we can to the program….hopefully Graham can find a way to broaden this message and get people involved again. I know Rolo reallyyyyy tried, especially that first year, to connect to fans and there was almost no one there for him….I know from a close friend in the program that even in his fourth year in to still have less than 20k people showing up was genuinely very disheartening for Nick.

By: Sllenzi

Sllenzi — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 00:02:46 +0000

Despite Rolo giving his heart and soul to UH and the State of Hawaii while breathing life back into a dead program, none of us put our butts in the seats – inability to commit our individual support for the team and the athletes, even after Rolo got a lot of them to commit to UH instead of mainland, was most likely a driving factor. Look at the empty Aloha Stadium on natl tv for Hawaii Bowl. Rolo also has first hand knowledge of the fickle treatment of June Jones during the 2007 season and the Greg McMackin in a 10 win season. We tend to do things that make us worthy of Von Appens and Chows! Is it possible for fans to learn that they must support the new coach and the team unconditionally if they want success, or is it too late already?

By: H-Man

H-Man — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 22:58:00 +0000

I just don’t know how he will assemble a staff comparable to his background with the minuscule salary budget.

By: Owen

Owen — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:54:00 +0000

Good choice. A seasoned head coach not looking for career opportunities. Has money so salary not an issue.

By: OceanGuy808

OceanGuy808 — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:36:29 +0000

It’s a good hire. This guy has lots of experience at being a head coach and he’ll continue the winning tradition at UH

By: Mytake

Mytake — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 19:14:26 +0000

What makes Reardon think he knows what the majority of UH fans are thinking of the hire? Seems to be more like his own opinions.

By: rabbit ears

rabbit ears — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 18:26:40 +0000

I think Matlin wanted someone who hopefully can boast attendance.

By: cappie the $2000 dog

cappie the $2000 dog — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 18:06:05 +0000

Dennis Erickson coached a season at Idaho before moving on to Arizona State.