NCAA approves Sheraton Hawaii Bowl through 2014
Advertiser Staff and News Services
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has approved 35 bowl games for the next four years, including the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl and two new ones: the Dallas Football Classic and the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in New York.
The NCAA said Friday that the bowls were licensed on a four-year cycle for the first time, though they will be reviewed each year. The move puts the licensing schedule — from 2010-11 through 2013-14 — in line with the length of bowl conference agreements.
The Hawai'i Bowl, which will be played on Dec. 24 this year, has been played since 2002 at Aloha Stadium. The hometown University of Hawai'i gets an automatic berth as a member of the Western Athletic Conference if it finishes with a winning record in the regular season.
The Warriors have appeared five times, going 3-2, including a 49-21 loss to Notre Dame in 2008. In last year's game, SMU defeated Nevada, 45-10.
Last year, the Hawai'i Bowl extended its partnership with Conference USA, which would provide a team for the game through 2013.
The first Pinstripe Bowl will be played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Dec. 30. It will include the No. 3 team in the Big East and the No. 6 school in the Big 12, excluding Bowl Championship Series participants.
The first Dallas Football Classic at the Cotton Bowl is planned for New Year's Day 2011, involving the seventh-ranked team from the Big 12 against the sixth-ranked team from the Big Ten. Future games will include Conference USA.
Bowl applications were denied for the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla., and the Christmas Bowl in Los Angeles.