32,700 tickets gone for Hawai'i Bowl

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

An estimated 32,700 tickets have been distributed for Wednesday's ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl between Tulane and Hawai'i, according to Jim Donovan, the game's director.

Jim Donovan is director of Wednesday's ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl. Advertiser library photo

Assistant athletic director Donna Turner said 70 Green Wave fans booked trips through the Tulane football program. She did not know how many other tickets were purchased by Green Wave fans.

Donovan said UH's 24,000 season-ticket holders for football received the first opportunity to purchase Hawai'i Bowl tickets. About 5,500 of them bought tickets, he said.

Donovan said he still expects the number of tickets distributed to reach between 35,000 and 37,000. He said he hopes the turnstile count will exceed 30,000.

Tickets are priced at $15, $25 and $40.

• The Graduate: Backup Warrior quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen's attention turned from the pigskin to the sheepskin when he received a diploma at yesterday's graduation ceremony in the Stan Sheriff Center.

Backup Warrior quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen now has a bachelor's degree in communications. Advertiser library photo

"It hasn't quite hit me yet, because I had to come right up to practice afterward," Withy-Allen said. "Once Christmas is over and January comes around and everybody is back in school, I can sleep in. It's been a long 4 1/2 years. It's an honor to receive a diploma."

In the long run, he said, "the diploma is all that matters. The diploma will take me through life. It's going to open some doors. The most important thing is the sheepskin."

Still, he added, "right now, it's more fun to play football. I'd rather run and pass than sit at home and write papers."

As a Kalaheo High senior in 1998, Withy-Allen turned down an offer to play football at Harvard. Instead, he accepted a football scholarship from the Warriors.

"It's been a blessing," he said.

• Trading places: Conspiracy theorists will note there is something shady about the decision to designate UH as the visiting team for the Hawai'i Bowl.

That's because the home team is scheduled to be on the Diamond Head sideline. Because of the 3 p.m. kickoff, Tulane will face direct sunlight for most of the game.

But the Warriors aren't entirely happy with the switch. They will not be allowed to wear their special black jerseys and instead, as the visiting team, must wear the tight-fitting white jerseys.

Of UH's three jerseys, right guard Vince Manuwai said, the white ones are the most snug. (He said the black jerseys offer the most room, followed by the green tops.)

Manuwai said a snug uniform will hamper the offensive linemen, who rely on punches — a technique in which they thrust their hands forward — as an integral part of their blocks. In particular, Manuwai said, the white jerseys are confining for centers. Most of the Warrior plays start with shotgun snaps.

Manuwai, who snaps on field-goal and extra-point attempts, said he will try to "break in" his white jersey before game time.

• Health report: Strong safety Hyrum Peters, who is recovering from a sprained left knee, today will learn if he will start against Tulane.

Peters was told by coaches that he needs to sprint without discomfort and compete in this afternoon's practice. He participated in a few passing drills yesterday.

"I want to play, but right now it's kind of shaky," he said. "It depends on me, too, but more on (the coaches). I don't want to pressure the team if I'm not 100 percent."

Peters has attended all of the defensive meetings. After starting the first 12 games, "scheme-wise, I'm there," he said. "I know what they run and what we're going to do."

In the regular-season finale against San Diego State Dec. 7, free safety David Gilmore moved to strong safety and Leonard Peters opened at free safety.