Can UH sports survive the no-fans policy?

By Cindy Luis

It was bad enough for Hawai’i that the Big West took away the 2020-21 women’s volleyball season, a decision made prematurely — in December, months before the scheduled start of spring play and ignoring what the pandemic situation would be even in January.

The rest of the volleyball world (minus the Ivy League and BWC) went about business as usual, adhering to strict COVID protocols with relatively few problems. The NCAA figured it out, with a scaled-back field from 64 to 48, and all rounds in Omaha, Neb., over 11 days in April. 

The final four was held at the aptly named CHI Health Center, which cut back attendance to 25 percent capacity and rules including a mask mandate and social distancing, and fans advised not to attend if they felt ill.

At that time, vaccines were being rolled out but on a age-related tiered system. Much has changed since last April, including proof of vaccination being required to attend athletic events.

But want to see the Rainbow Wahine in person? Start booking fights because, for the time being, fans will have to travel to away matches in order to do so.

There are no restrictions in the Beehive State where the Wahine will play at Utah Valley Sept. 2, and at the University of Utah tournament Sept. 3-4 against San Diego and the host Utes. Nor are there limitations at any of the other Big West schools, all located in California. 

But there is here, in Hawai’i, the state with the lowest COVID number until the out-of-control flood of visitors were allowed in after restrictions were relaxed. 

On Friday the City and Country of Honolulu notified UH that no fans would be allowed at fall sports due to the surge in COVID cases. All the planning by the athletic department for safety guidelines — vaccination proof, social distancing, 50 percent venue capacity — was thrown out, along with the much-needed ticket venue and the Wahine’s vaunted “volleyball experience.”

Teams come to Manoa as much for the competition as for the atmosphere in the Stan Sheriff Center. No where else are opponents cheered for good plays, or receive lei after the match, win or lose.

The decision to not allow spectators not only affects the faithful Wahine fanbase locally but also of their out-of-state relatives planning to fly in for the season-opening tournament.. What now for the relatives and fans in this week’s Hawaiian Airlines Classic — Fairfield, Marquette and Texas A&M— or those of USC for the Sept. 10-11 doubleheader?

For the past two weeks of double-days, the Wahine players spoke about how grateful they were to finally have a season. And how exciting it was going to be to again have fans in the arena.

The supportive crowds have long been one of the best recruiting tools for Wahine volleyball, which has had to overcome so many obstacles in maintaining its legacy, from geography to the lack of respect for the Big West. So successful is it when it comes to swaying high schools that the Warrior men’s program was known to bring in recruits during big Wahine matches.

According to Wahine assistant coach Kaleo Baxter, the program didn’t suffer setbacks during the past non-season in terms of recruiting.

“We are in a unique situation, being in Hawai’i,” he said. “Our recruits normally are kids who want to go away … that was the case even when Dave (retired coach Shoji) was here. 

“Our recruits know what Hawai’i volleyball is. They know the legacy. They know the culture. It’s a real testament to the community, the university and to the program.”

To that end, Hawai’i received its first verbal commitment for Fall 2023 last week. Destiny Ndam-Simpson is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Nebraska who has transferred from Bellevue West to Westside High for her junior year. She was selected for the USA Volleyball U17-U18 national training team that was in Anaheim, Calif., last month.

But as was the answer to 48 Across in Sunday’s New York Times crossword puzzle for “Anyhoo” … I Digress.

After taking out the emotional response to the Wahine not having fans, at least for this week, the cost is the real financial damage this does to the athletic program. Ever since moving into the Sheriff Center midseason in 1994, the program has made money, the first to do so and one of the few nationally that does.

The athletic department doesn’t keep the revenue from parking or concessions, relying on ticket sales, sponsors and donations for its survival. It also receives a portion of the funding from the state legislature that is given to the UH system.

With or without that revenue, Hawai’i still has to foot the bill for the Big West teams in all sports and every Mountain West football team to travel to Honolulu. 

The athletic department took a hit when there was no home attendance during the men’s volleyball championship run. The department already was going to take a hit when reducing attendance at the Sheriff Center and new Ching Complex football stadium. But at least there would be some revenue.

More importantly, there would be that community support that the Wahine and Warriors thrive on. IMHO the frustration and, yes, anger, is that the teams have done everything asked of them regarding COVID protocol yet are being punished because of some arbitrary decision that doesn’t apply the same restrictions to many of the sources of increased cases.

UH had a good plan in place. A controlled environment … unlike the well-publicized and frustrating out-of-control situations in Waikiki and other visitor destinations. Residents are guilty as well.

So enforce the rules across the board, not in a knee-jerk, we-gotta-show-we-did-something

reaction that only affects some.

The hope here is that things will change by the time the Wahine and Warriors return from their respective first road trips … where there will be fans in Utah and at the Rose Bowl this Saturday at the Rose Bowl. The Wahine and Warriors, the fans and the state deserve it.