And the band looked awesome, high-stepping it across Cooke Field despite the intense afternoon heat.
"Let's go, hurry up you saxophones!" director Thomas Bingham barked. "You gotta work! Get those feet in the air!"
Believe me, folks, the University of Hawaii marching band is fired up for the football season opener.
In fact, if the team doesn't do that well in the first half, there were a couple of beefy trombone players who looked like they could knock down a few of those rascals from Boston College.
Actually, there was also a very encouraging sign for UH football fans that same day.
The team was practicing kickoffs. And not just one kickoff. I mean, they at least plan on kicking off to the Eagles more than once tomorrow.
Past UH teams seemed to work on their punting game much more -- and for good reason, as it turned out.
And this news flash just came in from my secret source deep within the UH athletic department:
Rainbow basketball coach Riley Wallace has agreed to do the Macarena at halftime!
My source said that UH president Kenneth Mortimer and athletic director Hugh Yoshida told Wallace that they would forgive him for his outburst at the Bob Wagner firing if he agreed to do the popular dance as part of the halftime show.
Reluctantly, Wallace said OK - although he refused to ride a burro onto the field.
When you think about it, even the syllables match up. Check it out: "Hey, Mac-a-re-na!"
"Hey, Ri-ley Wall-ace!"
OK, OK. Just kidding. I don't want to rile up ol' Riley long before the first technical foul.
Let's take a look at the UH football season, especially after seeing how my esteemed colleague, Bill Kwon, picked UH to beat Boston College.
Kwon must have been conked in the head with a 7-iron recently - or maybe he made that pick from the 19th hole.
Anyway, here's how Fitz's Fearless Forecast sees Fred vonAppen's inaugural season:
Boston College: Bet the house, the car and the family pet on the Eagles at minus-11. This will be a physical and talent mismatch, even though the Rainbows will be fired up under the new coaching staff. Boston College 34, Hawaii 10.
Ohio: This isn't a gimme game, but the Rainbows should bounce back against a team closer in talent. Hawaii 24, Ohio 14.
At Wyoming: Playing at Laramie just makes it that much worse. Wyoming 31, Rainbows 14.
Boise State: This is the only sure victory for UH this season. Hawaii 51, Boise State 7.
At Fresno State: The Bulldogs will be ready for this one. Fresno State 44, Hawaii 21.
Colorado State: Is that a few early boos I hear? C'mon, be patient UH fans. Colorado State 28, Hawaii 14.
At San Diego State: There's this tip sheet that said the Aztecs would win by 50. No way! San Diego State 49, Hawaii 0.
UNLV: This isn't a lock. In fact, it's an upset at Aloha Stadium. UNLV 24, Hawaii 21.
At Air Force: Bombs away at the Academy. Air Force 28, Hawaii 10.
San Jose State: Rainbows will win the homecoming bash. Hawaii 24, San Jose State 14.
BYU: Let's see. The Cougars scored 41 points against Texas A&M, which must have a defense that's twice as good as UH's. BYU 82, Hawaii 0.
Wisconsin: The Badger fans will be swilling beer in record quantities, but the final score will be sobering for UH. Wisconsin 35, Hawaii 7.
So, read 'em and weep. That adds up to a 3-9 season.
But don't worry, UH helmet heads, 1997 will be a huge improvement.