On the day Bob Nash was announced as the University of Hawai'i's new men's basketball coach, a tongue-tied administrator referred to him as "Bob Cash."

A Freudian slip?

You might wonder now as UH seeks to cash in on its new era with a fast-break toward the soliciting of new season ticket sales Monday.

Following up on UH's expedited sales of football season tickets in the eventual wake of quarterback Colt Brennan's return, associate athletic director John McNamara said the athletic department will open up basketball season ticket sales to newcomers five months ahead of its usual schedule.

Ideally, of course, the tickets would have been put on sale coinciding with the announcement of Nash's promotion two weeks ago just as it would have been optimal for Nash's hiring to have come well before the April 11 national letter of intent signing day. But this is still major progress at UH in both identifying marketing opportunities and responding to the wishes of its customers.

Holding the line on season ticket and premium seat contributions further shows that folks in Manoa are listening.

In Nash, UH has a lot to sell and you figure the sooner the better to go about it. He was a key figure in and remains the most visible reminder of the "Fabulous Five' glory days of the early 1970s, something UH really hasn't done that well at tapping over the years.

For the longest time it seemed UH wasn't sure how to deal with its past so it just let it sit there like a dusty remnant. At times, it seemed almost afraid to remind its fans of those days fearing, perhaps, that its subsequent teams would so pale by comparison that it would be counterproductive.

Even the term "Fabulous Five" would get you a dirty look from some coaches. And Nash acknowledges that in many instances it would have been unfair because that group was one of the first UH teams the state rallied around. It was a team — and a time — that took on legendary status.

But with Nash's ascension comes an opportunity to address both the past and the future and bring back some fans, extending season ticket bases beyond the current 3,978 seats. Indeed, Nash says he's heard from many "who want to come back and support the program."

Heretofore new season ticket sales have begun in October, but McNamara said when reservations start Monday new customers can put down a non-refundable $50 deposit for a shot at the best available seats after renewals are processed. Current season ticket holders still get first shot.

"Bob's hiring has been incredibly well-received," McNamara said. "The feedback has been phenomenal. I think we're going to see a reflection across the board — ticket sales, corporate partnerships, our television and radio partners ..."

The hope really is that Nash will mean cash for UH.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.