The University of Hawaii football team is about to get closer.
In a move with the bottom line in mind, the Rainbow Warriors will live in the UH athletic complex’s two dance studios for the 19 days of training camp this August, school officials confirmed.
By staying in the studios, the Warriors are expected to save as much as $41,300 in housing expenses.
Every NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team is sequestered in the nearly three weeks of training camp.
The Warriors split their training-camp stay between the UH dormitories and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in 2012, Norm Chow’s first year as UH head coach.
When the dorm rate increased, the Warriors split last year’s training camp between the dance studios and the base.
To further pare the budget, the Warriors now will reside in the dance studios during the entire training camp. Excluding meals, the only housing expense is $10,000 to rent 110 cots.
It would have cost $51,300 to stay in the dorms. UH charges each person $25 per night to use the dormitory — $20 for rent, $5 for laundry service.
The Warriors would have needed 54 rooms — 52 double-occupancy rooms for the 104 players, and single rooms each for a trainer and coach.
The Warriors’ preference would be to conduct camp solely at Pearl Harbor-Hickam, which would run about $40,000. But the base probably would not be available for the entire camp.
UH began using the studios several years ago when the usual camp dormitory was being renovated. Eventually, the team stayed there as a cost-cutting measure.
While residing in the second-floor studios, campus security will ensure privacy. The players will shower and use the bathrooms in the first-floor locker room.
By staying in the studios, the Warriors can add a 105th player, the maximum number for training camp. It was limited to an even number of players for the double-occupancy rooms in the dormitory and base.
