By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

For the better part of two decades football fans have loudly bemoaned the fact that college bowl games here have invariably been Christmas Day events.

If only they didn't have to choose between football and family, and Santa Claus and spirals, a lot of fans have said they would be more likely to attend a (fill in the blank): Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, Aloha Bowl, O'ahu Bowl game.

Now, for what would be the first time since 1986, it looks like they may finally get their holiday wish.

With the NFL serving up its first televised Christmas Day doubleheader since 1971, occupying a noon-to-6:30 p.m. Hawai'i time block, it would be suicide for the Hawai'i Bowl not to kick off on another day. The likely result, bowl officials say, could be something in the area of a 2 p.m. start on Christmas Eve.

If so, it will be interesting to see how much of a difference it makes.

As University of Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier puts it, "people wouldn't be able to use that (Christmas Day conflict) as an excuse anymore if it is on a different day."

After the sparse, Ralph Nader campaign rally-like turnout last year, the change probably can't hurt.

It might be only a difference of 22 to 24 hours, but after having all but three of the bowl games that have been played at Aloha Stadium since 1982 on Dec. 25, even Christmas Eve afternoon is a significant departure. Especially this year since it falls on a Friday and a lot of people will either have the day off or work a half day.

Ideally, the game might be more of a local attraction if parked sometime between Dec. 26 and 30. But for television purposes — and, remember it is ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, that owns and operates the bowl — it is unlikely it will stray too far from Christmas because the afternoon concept works well with the Mainland time differences and the paucity of sports programming on and around Christmas guarantees decent ratings.

A change in dates couldn't come at a better time for the Hawai'i Bowl which, after announced crowds of 35,513 and 25,551 its first two years, and the likelihood of a $25,000-to-$50,000 loss in 2003, needs some kind of a shakeup at the box office. With just two games left on its contract, ESPN headquarters is keeping a close eye on the bottom line.

A UH team that goes into it 10-2 instead of 8-5 would help. So, too, would a more recognizable opponent.

After the 9-3 finish of 2001, UH knows the disappointment of being bowl-worthy and left out. With a successful Hawai'i Bowl in its backyard, that won't happen again.

Now it remains to be seen if a Hawai'i Bowl that doesn't have to go head-to-head with Santa Claus can win big at the box office.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.