Exposure helps UH recruiting

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

ESPN said the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl had the ninth-best television ratings of its 20 bowl games this season. But the University of Hawai'i football team is measuring its appearance in the game by the increased recognition factor with recruits.

UH coaches say their television appearances this year, notably the 59-40 victory over Alabama at Birmingham in the Dec. 24 Hawai'i Bowl, have helped open more doors in the current recruiting campaign.

"We've had lot of inquiries, particularly from the Southeast," head coach June Jones said yesterday. "Several from Florida and Georgia. In fact, there's a (slotback) from there we heard from just because of that game being on TV," Jones said. "He's somebody we definitely wouldn't have heard from otherwise."

Defensive backs coach Rich Miano said a high school coach in California steered him to a receiver whose family told him, "'We watched that bowl game and our son we loved it.' They're all excited." Miano said. "You can't buy that type of advertising for our program."

Defensive line coach Vantz Singletary, who was in Houston this week, said the reception, "was great, really great where I've been. I've also gotten so many e-mails, phone calls and videotapes from players who saw us."

ESPN said the four hour-plus game drew 1,983,000 households.

Jim Donovan, the game's executive director, said, "One of my biggest reasons for taking the job was because it was something that would promote our state and also, if UH was bowl-eligible, it would help the school in recruiting."

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