Instead of walking the walk, Hawai'i football player Tyson Kafentzis has decided to run.

And blitz.

And tackle.

Kafentzis, a linebacker, has completed the requirements necessary to earn a bachelor's degree in travel industry management.

But instead of participating in tomorrow's graduation ceremony, Kafentzis will compete in the Warriors' practice in preparation for the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.

"It doesn't seem too appealing to me, standing in whatever they wear," Kafentzis said of the graduation ceremony. "I'd rather be at practice. I'll be out there with the boys. I'll forgo it; most definitely."

Kafentzis said he was inspired by former UH running back Michael Brewster, who also opted not to walk.

"That was pretty cool," Kafentzis said. "He said he was glad he did that instead of going to graduation."

Associate head coach Rich Miano implored Kafentzis to participate in the ceremony. Miano and Mark Kafentzis, Tyson's father, were UH teammates. Miano has served as Tyson's godfather.

"When he was young, I carried him to the top of a mountain," Miano said. "It was like the Lion King."

And then, according to Miano's version, "I accidentally dropped him."

Miano said: "The two most important things at the University of Hawai'i are the Senior Walk and walking at graduation. I suggest to all of the players that they do that. It's like your wife is going to have a baby and you have a game. Football's important. That's our livelihood. But nothing's more important than the birth of your child. Nothing is more important than graduating and remembering that moment, that picture of you getting your diploma from president David McClain. Nothing can replace that. But then again, I dropped him when he was young. He's making a bad decision."

Kafentzis said, smiling: "It's a piece of paper, man. I'll have them mail it to me."

Instead, Kafentzis is looking forward to a more important ceremony. Kafentzis and Brea Bechtel will be married Jan. 3 in Washington state.

Teammates Jake Ingram, Josh Rice, Dane Porlas, Dan Johnson and Guyton Galdeira will spend time at the Kafentzis' cabin in Naches, Wash.

"They're going to trip out," Kafentzis said. "The snow will be taller than Jake."

They will head to the Tri-Cities for New Year's Eve, then prepare for the wedding.

Wedding or graduation?

"It's definitely my wedding," Kafentzis said. "My fiancee is the one. Obviously, you can do a lot of things with or without a degree. But a good woman by your side will take you a long way."

Kafentzis and Bechtel were raised in the same Washington town.

"But I didn't even know her growing up," he said. "I knew of her. The church I go to, she's the preacher's daughter. I only saw her from a distance. She's an angel."

After his freshman season at UH, he returned to Washington to train. Bechtel worked at a fitness club.

"I said, 'Hey, what are you doing tonight?' " he recalled. "It's pretty basic. But as they say, the rest is history."

Kafentzis said he proposed to Bechtel, who also will earn a UH degree tomorrow, on her birthday last year.

At a restaurant, the waiter slipped the diamond engagement ring into Bechtel's champagne glass.

"She was drinking it, and she didn't even know," Kafentzis said. "It was hilarious. Everyone was looking at her. She had no idea. She finished her champagne, and (the ring) slid down and hit her mouth. She was completely surprised."

MOVING DAY

After yesterday's one-hour practice, the Warriors ate a training-table breakfast and then prepared to move into the Moana Surfrider Hotel, where they will stay through the day of the bowl game.

"It's nicer than the dorms," defensive end David Veikune said. He compared the UH dorm rooms to "a little prison cell."

"The best sleep we get is in the hotel," said kicker Dan Kelly, who was a member of the UH team that played in the 2006 Hawai'i Bowl. "Those beds are amazing. They're super comfortable."

Many of the players insist the Hawai'i Bowl experience is better than the one they had at last year's Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

"I love the Hawai'i Bowl," said Kafentzis, who will be appearing in the game for the third time. "I think you get better gifts. You stay in a better hotel. Obviously, the food is better. And we get to play Notre Dame."

Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian said: "In New Orleans, a lot of the events were about eating. We didn't see the city, the sights, and stuff."

The NCAA allows the players' wives to be part of a participating team's official bowl party. The wives receive per diem, and get to stay in the hotel.

"It'll be good to have our families with us," said safety Desmond Thomas, who is married. "We're going to enjoy the experience. We know it's a business trip. When it's time to have fun, we'll have fun. When it's time to be serious, we'll be serious."

Visit Tsai's blog at http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com.