With program in peril, Seawolves hockey aims at raising revenues

With UAA's hockey program in peril because of the state's budget crisis, Seawolves staffers and alumni Tuesday night implored supporters to aid a rink rescue of sorts by raising revenue and making their voices heard.

Coach Matt Thomas told a gathering of scores of boosters, alumni and fans at 49th State Brewing Co. that UAA will reopen the balcony section of Sullivan Arena and offer $150 season tickets, which breaks down to less than $10 per game for the upcoming season that features 16 home games. That's also a steep discount from season-ticket seating in the lower bowl, which ranges from $250-$350.

The balcony at Sullivan previously was curtained for UAA games because of dwindling attendance. The Seawolves last season averaged 1,763 fans per home game, their lowest attendance since beginning play full-time in the building in the 1983-84 season, and a drop of 15.7 percent from the previous season.

[University budget report puts Alaska college hockey in crosshairs]

"The only way we can win this battle is if we show we can create revenue," Thomas said. "Buy season tickets, spread the word, save the program."

The hockey programs at UAA and UAF are the most expensive sports at each school and have come under scrutiny because reduced state funding has prompted the University of Alaska to anticipate significant budget cuts in sports, academics and administration. UAA athletic director Keith Hackett recently said the school's hockey program has a $1.9 million budget and lost $1.4 million in the last fiscal year.

At issue now is which budgets get whacked, and which get trimmed. Hockey appears to sit in the former camp since a UA Strategic Pathways analysis recently delivered three options. Two options would kill UAA and UAF hockey, and the third is sketchy — the notion of one consolidated college hockey program for the state. There is no precedent in NCAA history of a consolidated program between schools so geographically removed from each other.

Hockey at both UAA and UAF is safe for the upcoming season, but on thin ice after that. UA President Jim Johnsen is scheduled to give preliminary recommendations to the Board of Regents in mid-September, and the Board will discuss final decisions in November.

That timing prompted Jim Dahl, a former Seawolves player who is president of the UAA Hockey Alumni, to tell Tuesday's audience that the first two weekends of the season are critical. UAA will play four home games before the Board of Regents meet in November, which makes increased attendance pivotal as a show of support.

"It's extremely important to make a big impact the first two weekends," Dahl said. "We're running out of time. This year's on, but the (future) is going to be decided."

UAA assistant coach Josh Ciocco made a Power Point presentation in which he said hockey staff has already found ways to cut its budget by about $280,000 without damaging the team's ability to compete. Those reductions, and significantly improved attendance early in the season, Ciocco said, would show a commitment to saving the program.

"We need to gear toward being part of the solution, and revenue is the solution," Ciocco said.

Thomas, heading into his fourth season, said UAA's athletic administration has supported the hockey program — he cited recent improvements like a new locker room on campus, new hockey offices and upgrades to the on-campus practice rink. Boosting season-ticket sales, Thomas said, would show the administration that fans support the Seawolves.

Mark Filipenko, a former Seawolf skater and past president of the hockey alumni, advised the crowd to contact regents and legislators in a positive manner to signal their support for saving the program. Supporters were also encouraged to visit the Strategic Pathways website — www.alaska.edu/pathways/review-teams-phase1 — to offer comments, and to attend a Sept. 7 forum with Johnsen at UAA's Student Union Cafeteria from 12:30-2 p.m.