Switching dates helps Hawai'i Bowl

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

The switch of the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl to Christmas Eve afternoon has been met with "very positive feedback" and officials said they will consider that date for future games if this year's game is successful.

The first two Hawai'i Bowls were played on Christmas Day as were the majority of their predecessors, the Aloha and O'ahu bowls, since 1981.

But the NFL's first Christmas Day doubleheader since 1971 prompted ESPN Regional Television (ERT), owner and operator of the Hawai'i Bowl, to make a change this year.

The game will kick off at 2 p.m. Dec. 24, a Friday.

Sheraton, the title sponsor has picked up the option year on the game, and the shift in dates has helped the bowl attract new sponsors and interest, said Jim Donovan, executive director of the game that matches representatives of the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA.

Donovan said several new sponsors and nearly 1,500 additional tickets have been sold for this year's game.

"We think people will enjoy coming out," said Pete Derzis, vice president of ERT. "With the majority of businesses closing early for the holidays, people can come out, tailgate, watch the game and still have time for family celebrations or religious services as they choose."

The game drew an announced crowd of 25,000 last year, down almost 10,000 from 2002. Derzis said, "I don't think it is automatic that we would (go back to Christmas Day) ... It is premature to say what we will do, but we would certainly look at the results (of this year's game)."

Derzis said it is unlikely the game would be moved to late December because many of the sponsors are involved in tourism and "Waikiki is pretty well sold out between Christmas and New Year's (anyway)."

Despite Hawai'i coach June Jones' request that ESPN black out the Hawai'i Bowl locally, it will be shown live here for at least this year, Derzis said.

ESPN is also exploring the possibility of showing the game tape-delayed in Japan again.

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