Aloha Bowl losses were
Associated Press
worth it to Michigan StateEAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State lost $310,000 because of its decision to play in Hawaii's Aloha Bowl but the school says the trip, despite the cost and the 28-point loss, was worth it.
"It's a good investment," said Roger Wilkinson, Michigan State's vice president for finance. "I felt that way before we went, and I still do."
The school spent just over $835,000 on the trip to Hawaii, where the Spartans lost, 51-23, to Washington on Christmas Day, accroding to the Lansing State Journal.
The school's 354-member contingent included the football team and its coaching staff, athletic department personnel, a portion of the band, cheerleaders, the school mascot and university officials. Dozens of family members also attended.
Michigan State also must repay the Aloha Bowl about $225,000 for about 8,000 unsold game tickets, pushing its expenses to roughly $1.06 million.
The university received $750,000 to play in the Aloha Bowl.
Michigan State weighed an offer to play the Mid-American Conference champion at the inaugural Motor City Bowl at the Pontiac Silverdome. The game was the brainchild of former Spartans coach George Perles.
Though travel expenses were substantially more, Michigan State officials chose the Aloha Bowl to reward their 7-4 team, play a higher-quality opponent and earn a television audience with the nation's top high school players.
A national college football recruiting expert says Michigan State made the right decision, despite an embarrassing on-field defeat.
"You've got to go to the place that gives you the biggest bang," said Bobby Burton, editor of the Texas-based National Recruiting Advisor. "That's what this is all about -- being big time. It's not about going for second best."
The school said it plans to cover its Aloha deficit with $300,000 to $500,000 in surplus ticket revenue from six sold-out 1997 home games.
Raquel De La Garza and Puna Gohler combined to pitch a five-inning no-hitter as Hawaii Pacific University beat Chaminade, 12-1, to sweep a college softball doubleheader from Chaminade yesterday, 9-0 and 12-1, at Cartwright Field. Hawaii Pacific softball pitchers
toss a no-hitterThe second game was shortened because of the eight-run rule. It was the third no-hitter in Hawaii Pacific history.
The Sea Warriors' Susie Schoales tossed a three-hitter in the opener.
Lyrissa Sagawa went 4-for-5 for Hawaii Pacific in the first game and drove in three runs. Neille Yamaguchi went 3-for-3.
In the second game, Schoales hit a three-run homer to back up her pitching.
GOMES WINS AT PIPELINE: John Gomes won the Hawaiian Island Creations Pro surf meet in 3- to 6-foot waves at Pipeline yesterday.
Gomes, who also won the event last year and the Triple Crown of Surfing Chiemsee Pipe Masters, beat Bruce Irons, Kaimana Henry and Chris Peterson in the finals.
The HIC Pro is a 2-Star World Qualifying Series Event sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals.
KOP FIRST: Brandan Kop and Clayton Gomi teamed up to shoot a 63 for a two-round total of 128 to win the HPLGA Four-Ball golf tournament by four strokes yesterday at the Ted Makalena Golf Course.
Gomi aced the 140-yard No. 4 hole. He used a 9-iron.
Phil Anamizu and Paul Kimura were second, at 132.