UH will make its case for more funding

When the Legislative session opens a week from today, the University of Hawaii athletic department will take its case for continued support directly to lawmakers.

Last year the university included a request for supplemental funds for athletics in its overall “ask” and athletics eventually received $3 million.

But this year neither UH’s nor the governor’s requests has included athletics. UH is seeking $29 million above its $432 million base budget, while Gov. David Ige is seeking to add $22 million each of the next two years to UH’s operating budget.

The requests preceded projections by the Council on Revenues of lower-than-expected tax revenues.

“During the upcoming session, UH athletics will be sharing the progress it has made over the past year, what it is projecting for the upcoming year, and how all stakeholders can continue to support the program going forward,” athletic director David Matlin said in an email. “We recognize that the state and Legislature must balance many needs in the community and appreciate any consideration they may have for our student-athletes and the program.”

Last year, UH originally sought $3.56 million to be divided between its two athletic departments — $3 million for Manoa and $560,000 for Hilo — to help it address what athletic officials termed “unique costs” related to geography and travel.

It eventually received a $3 million appropriation, $2.7 million of which went to Manoa and $300,000 to Hilo.

“UH athletics is very appreciative of the support that the legislature provided last session in support of our student-athletes,” Matlin said. “Those funds will go toward offsetting the cost of our travel to events, bringing teams in to compete in front of our fans and other costs.”

Kalbert Young, UH vice president for budget and finance/CFO, said, “Since UH did get (much of) what it asked for last year for athletics, we didn’t think it prudent to go and ask for more money again this year via the regents. But all that being said, we understand that AD Matlin has a financial plan or strategy that does entail increasing the amount of funding from a number of sources, one of which could be public funds.”

Manoa had a $3.24 million athletic deficit for the 2016 fiscal year that closed June 30, 2016, and is projecting a reduced deficit for the current fiscal year.