No aloha in S.C. bowl flap

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Some state lawmakers are urging the University of South Carolina to reconsider its position passing on the homeless Aloha Bowl. And one key leader is threatening intervention by the Legislature.

Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges will take the bowl game's case to university trustees. But House Majority Leader Rick Quinn, R-Columbia, said Wednesday South Carolina's rejection is "outrageous" and threatened legislation for more state control over the Gamecocks' Williams-Brice Stadium.

South Carolina athletics director Mike McGee said Monday the university was not interested in hosting the Christmas Day game being moved from its Hawai'i home because the distance has contributed to low ticket sales.

University President John Palms has backed McGee, saying the decision "wasn't made in a vacuum."

South Carolina board Chairman Mack Whittle on Tuesday said he would like to accommodate the bowl game, for which the city of Columbia is lobbying. But Whittle worried a "Palmetto Bowl" might conflict with the Gamecocks preparation for a bowl game. The board likely will discuss the Aloha Bowl game at its meeting today.

Aloha Bowl officials are talking with officials Columbia and Anaheim, Calif., after San Francisco officials rejected a plan to play the game there when ABC-TV refused to change the date to Dec. 30.

Fritz Rohlfing of Aloha Sports said he and partner Terry Daw would continue to try to put together a deal.