Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims didn't hesitate when Hula Bowl organizers extended him an invitation to the college all-star game in 1980.

"I know when they asked me, I was delighted," said the former Oklahoma running back, who as a junior in 1978 won the award that represents the nation's best college football player. "I had never been to Hawai'i before. You see Hawai'i on TV, and now I had a chance to go. I was ready to go."

These days, attracting a Heisman Trophy winner to play in the game here isn't easy. A free trip to Hawai'i may not be enough for marquee players — poised to earn millions in the NFL — who risk injury and sub-par, draft-hurting performances if they play.

Former Heisman Trophy winners — here to promote the Hula Bowl — were asked yesterday how they would entice a Heisman winner to play in the all-star football game, which has suffered from dwindling attendance and drew about 12,000 to its final game on Maui in 2005. After eight years on Valley Island, the game returns to Aloha Stadium for its 60th anniversary tomorrow as the Cornerstone Bancard Hula Bowl .

Some former Heisman winners suggested the Hula Bowl change its rules to allow for the payment of players and also the inclusion of underclassmen for a game that last featured a Heisman winner in 2001, when Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch played here. However, the game's new owner opposes such changes, fearing a "bidding war" with other bowls for top players, and a break of tradition.

"The idea of this bowl is to reward players for a good career, whether it's from Division I or Division III, and also to showcase some guys for the NFL," said Nick Logan, Cornerstone Bancard's chief executive officer. "I'm happy with the turnout, and I would love to have a Heisman Trophy winner."

However, paying a Heisman winner to play in the Hula Bowl is going too far, he said.

"The spirit of the bowl would become a bidding war," said Logan, whose credit-card processing company is based in Alpharetta, Ga. "I think it would really take away from it."

Charles White, the 1979 Heisman winner from Southern California, suggested paying players when he was asked what organizers could do to attract Heisman winners.

"Offer them money," said White, a former running back, who came to the 1980 Hula Bowl but did not play because he had the flu. "That would be a good way. I hate to put it that way. That's the bottom line."

White said advice from agents and parents, and other factors influence players' decisions not to attend some bowl games. Also, some players just want to recover from a long season, he said.

"It's about the young kids looking at their future, which is understandable," White said.

Hula Bowl organizers tried unsuccessfully to land 2004 Heisman Trophy winner and USC quarterback Matt Leinart for Saturday's game. They offered Leinart "no extra strings. No extra perks," Logan said.

Rashaan Salaam, the 1994 Heisman winner from Colorado, suggested the game allow underclassmen to compete.

"Juniors who have agents, and declared themselves (eligible for the NFL draft), they should be allowed to play in this bowl," said Salaam, who bypassed his senior year and did not play in the Hula Bowl.

The past three Heisman winners have been juniors: USC running back Reggie Bush (2005), Leinart (2004) and Oklahoma quarterback Jason White (2003).

Logan said he would stick to the seniors-only format with the Hula Bowl, which works in conjunction with the American Football Coaches Association.

"While I respect what these juniors have accomplished, I think the history and tradition of the game needs to be upheld and respected," Logan said. "I think if these players are there for their senior years, then they would be people we'd love to have come. I wouldn't change that format."

Heisman winner Sims urged Hula Bowl organizers to foster relationships with agents, players and their families if they want marquee players.

Sims said he turned down opportunities to play in the Senior Bowl and Japan Bowl to play in the Hula Bowl. The Senior Bowl offered payment, Sims said.

Yesterday, Sims and the other former college greats praised the Hula Bowl, and found it surprising that the game was having difficulty in attracting recent Heisman winners. Sims said the Hula Bowl has great tradition and hospitality.

"They're really missing out on a big treat if they don't come and play in this bowl game," said Sims, the 1980 Hula Bowl MVP.

NOTE

From 1996 to 2002, four Heisman winners played in the Hula Bowl: Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel (1996), Texas running back Ricky Williams (1998), Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne (1999) and Crouch (2001). Not playing during that span were Michigan junior cornerback Charles Woodson (1997), Florida State senior quarterback Chris Weinke (2000) and USC senior quarterback Carson Palmer (2002).

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.