HULA BOWL FOOTBALL
8 dance from Hula to other bowl game
The players were on tentative rosters and opted for the East-West Shrine Game instead
Eight players on tentative Hula Bowl rosters distributed late last month have decided to play in the East-West Shrine Game instead.
Both college all-star football games are this Saturday.
It is normal for some players to tentatively commit to the Hula Bowl while waiting to find out if they get invited to the Shrine Game or the Senior Bowl.
"Doing this the first year, we have no idea what number is high," Hula Bowl director Rick Beggs said. "Ask the coaches. We knew we would lose some. It is what it is."
The Hula Bowl, back on Oahu after eight years on Maui, kicks off at 2 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.
Although most players are advised by agents to appear in no more than one all-star game, some have played in both the Hula Bowl and Shrine Game in years when they are not scheduled on the same day; Hawaii quarterback Tim Chang and receiver Chad Owens did so last year.
"I believe we set ours and then they set theirs," Beggs said. "A lot of it is wrapped around ESPN. They control a lot of it."
Kamehameha graduate Donovan Raiola, a center at Wisconsin, is among the eight who chose the Shrine Game.
The replacements include former Punahou standout and Occidental safety Derek Turbin and Nevada running back B.J. Mitchell, the WAC's Offensive Player of the Year.
They were among the nearly 100 players who arrived yesterday to begin preparing for Saturday's game. They attended a reception at the Waikiki Aquarium last night.
Several have fond memories of games here, including seven players who competed for the University of Hawaii and/or local high schools.
But most recently, Mitchell
and UCF receiver Brandon Marshall shined on the stadium's FieldTurf surface. They were key figures in an instant classic Hawaii Bowl less than a month ago, on Christmas Eve.
Mitchell and Marshall were voted the MVPs of their respective teams in the Wolf Pack's 49-48 overtime victory over the Golden Knights. They're back to prove they have what it takes to play in the NFL. Scouts from around the league will measure them, interview them and watch them practice. Some will even stick around for the game.
Nick Logan, the founder of title sponsor Cornerstone Bancard, an Atlanta-based company, was scheduled to be announced as the game's new owner at a news conference today. Beggs said last night the role of former majority owners Ken Hansmire and Mark Salmans of Overtime Sports Pacific "is being worked out as we speak."
Hansmire and Salmans led a group that bought the game two years ago when it was struggling financially toward the end of its run on Maui. They said last year's game at War Memorial Stadium broke even, but decided to move it back to Oahu for its 60th edition.
Although the game lacks big-name players, the local ties are plentiful. Hawaii offensive lineman Brandon Eaton, linebackers Kila Kamakawiwo'ole and Tanuvasa Moe and safety Lono Manners are joined by Texas Tech tight end Bristol Olomua (Kahuku) and Colorado nose guard Vaka Manupuna (Saint Louis) on the West squad (Washington linebacker Joe Lobendahn, a Saint Louis alum, was invited but won't play due to injury). Turbin is on the East squad.
As usual, several former Heisman Trophy winners will make public appearances in conjunction with the game.
Tommy Tuberville of Auburn will coach the East team, with Tyrone Willingham of Washington handling the West. Current San Jose State and former UH coach Dick Tomey is an assistant for the West.