Hawaii proving it’s moneymaker for Big West volleyball tourney

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DARRELL MIHO / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Hawaii’s Rado Parapunov takes a swing against the Long Beach State players Ethan Siegfried, a Punahou graduate, and Simon Andersen during Saturday’s match at the Walter Pyramid.

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When the Big West Conference adopted men’s volleyball as a league-wide sport for the first time last year, it didn’t know what to do with the championship tournament.

Unsure whether to rotate the tournament site each year or keep it in one place, decision-makers chose to spread it among Long Beach State, Hawaii and UC Irvine, the top three attendance-drawing schools, over the first three years, assess the results and then discuss a long-term plan.

This week Hawaii can make a case for it on more than an occasional basis with continued large crowds when the Big West tournament comes to the San Sheriff Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Already league officials are projecting the tournament will be a money-maker, no small accomplishment since five of the six schools will require airfare to get here.

As of Friday afternoon, UH said 6,282 three-day ticket packages had been sold for the 10,300-seat facility, producing $205,182. Packages start at $39 for adults, with discounts for seniors and students.

Expenses are projected to run approximately $210,000, including travel costs and lodging, host expenses, etc., said Rob Halvaks, Big West deputy commissioner.

Packages are on sale until Thursday’s opener. Any remaining individual day tickets will then be put on sale.

“This is a very unique situation where you have an opportunity to (make money),” Halvaks said.

Featuring UH and defending national champion Long Beach State, the Nos. 1- and 2-ranked teams much of the season, “day-of sales is something that I think will be good,” Halvaks said.

Entering play this past week, UH led the nation in attendance, averaging 4,609 tickets distributed per game. Long Beach State (1,934) was third and UC Irvine 10th (963).

Big West Commissioner Dennis Farrell said the 49ers got the inaugural 2018 tournament to use as preparation for hosting this year’s NCAA men’s tournament. The venture was not expected to produce a profit at the smaller, 4,000-seat Pyramid. (Long Beach State officials said they might add temporary bleachers for additional seating. Saturday’s match with Hawaii drew 4,674, a Pyramid record for men’s volleyball.)

If there is a surplus this year, “the net is divided out among the participating schools,” Halvaks said. A deficit would also be shared by participating teams.

After next year’s conference tournament, the Big West Council, which includes representatives from all its members, will decide the site for future tournaments.