The University of Hawai'i is still hoping a late surge of ticket sales will drive Saturday's season-opening attendance above the projected 30,000 mark, but is confident the Warriors will soon be pulling in much larger crowds, a spokesman said.

"I feel good about the fact that the fans are going to be there in one way, shape or form," said John McNamara, UH associate athletic director. "Maybe we do have a percentage of (fans) that are, maybe, a little wait-and-see, in terms of how the season goes, but I think once they see the product on the field and, I think, as the season goes along, it is gonna build to a crescendo and we're going to have the type of following that we had the end of last year. Hopefully, that type of excitement will (be) reached a lot earlier than it (was) last season."

UH averaged 45,491 for its final two regular season home games of 2006 after averaging 27,749 through its first six home games.

With the Warriors' first preseason national ranking (23rd in the Associated Press poll) and the return of Heisman Trophy candidate Colt Brennan, ticket officials were projecting to have 34,000 tickets distributed through sales and promotions and possibly 30,000 fans in Aloha Stadium Saturday.

"I think (this year's) fans are pretty typical in terms of wanting to evaluate the product and I think the ones that do come out to the stadium on Saturday are going to be treated to a wonderful time both before the game and during," McNamara said. "Hopefully, that word of mouth will get out and we'll have a better crowd for the next home game (Sept. 22 against Charleston Southern) and that will continue to build."

Pay-per-view season subscription sales are running slightly ahead of this point last year, according to John Fink, vice president and general manager of KFVE, which produces the games.

Last year, 6,646 season packages were sold, resulting in about $2.7 million in revenue divided among KFVE ($1,325,000), Oceanic ($965,000) and UH ($410,000).

INJURY POLICY

Under its new medical policy, UH said it will restrict information about injuries to athletes in one of three categories — probable, questionable or doubtful — unless the player signs a waiver form for each instance.

Probable will mean "likely to return to game or practice," questionable is "possible they might return but further evaluation is needed," and doubtful is considered "unlikely they will return to game/practice."

Citing federal laws, last year UH inaugurated a policy of not disclosing the medical condition of athletes other than to say whether the player was cleared to play unless a waiver was signed beforehand.

2008 SCHEDULE

Athletic director Herman Frazier, who has pledged to complete the 2008 football schedule by Friday, is due back in town today after attending a funeral on the Mainland.

McNamara said, "I know he wants to get that completed as quickly as possible. I would anticipate some sort of announcement soon."

STADIUM TURF

The bid specifications for the $2 million replacement of turf at Les Murakami Stadium went out Aug 20, according to a UH spokesman. Bids are due Sept. 20.

Associate athletic director Carl Clapp said work is targeted to begin after Oct. 8 and be completed in early January in time for the start of practice Feb. 1. UH's season opener is Feb. 15 against UH-Hilo.

UH fall practice is scheduled to run Oct. 10 to Nov. 15, meaning the Rainbows will have to relocate once work on the turf begins. Clapp said UH "is in contact with various places around the island" as possible practice sites.

STUDENT TICKETS

Approximately 1,100 tickets for the Northern Colorado game have been issued to students, McNamara said.

UH system students are eligible to receive a free ticket to the game but must pick up the ticket at the Stan Sheriff center box office by 4 p.m. Friday and present valid identification.,

McNamara said UH will extend the policy to Rainbow Wahine volleyball next month and plans to expand it to other sports.

STADIUM PARKING

Koa Anuenue, the UH athletic booster club, has secured an additional 350 parking spots at Aloha Stadium as part of a revised parking plan. The spots are in sections 13 and 14. As part of the deal, former Koa Anuenue spots in the old bus area will be opened to the general public, officials said.

The parking map is available at www.alohastadium.hawaii.gov/directions/parking-map

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.