LENNY Klompus is too much. Two, too much, in fact. Christmas Day twin bill
would be a nice bonusAs chief executive officer of Bowl Games Hawaii, Klompus is proposing that Hawaii host not one, but two bowl games at Aloha Stadium on Christmas Day. Beginning as soon as this season, mind you.
Not that I'm saying, "Bah, humbug," to Klompus' two-fer idea, although it won't be quite two for the price of one.
I don't want to be called Scrooge by football fanatics. But you've got to be a fanatic to sit through two football games on Christmas Day. It might even be too much for couch potatoes lounging in front of their television sets at home.
If anyone, Klompus could be viewed as the grinch who stole Christmas Day from local families. If his idea ever comes to fruition.
Still, what a concept. Maybe a little off the wall, but that's Lenny. Only he could come up with such an idea.
As outlined by Paul Arnett of the Star-Bulletin yesterday, the second game of the doubleheader would be called the Mele Kalikimaka Classic. It would follow the 17th Jeep Aloha Bowl, televised nationally by ABC-TV. The first game would start at 10:30 a.m. (HST).
The second game would start at 4 p.m. and also would be televised nationally, but on ESPN. Each of the four teams would receive $750,000. But TV money would pay the freight.
THE Aloha Bowl currently features the fourth pick from the Pac-10 and an at-large selection. The new Mele Kalikimaka Classic would have the fifth Pac-10 pick and the loser of the Western Athletic Conference championship.
But before it becomes a reality, the plan will need to be approved at next month's NCAA bowl meetings.
The novel proposal no doubt has the approval of the WAC, since it would guarantee at least a second bowl game for the 16-team conference. As a league member and the home team, the University of Hawaii also would be in favor of the second game. Double your chances, after all.
Besides being all for it, WAC commissioner Karl Benson is optimistic the plan will get the NCAA's approval.
"I have a good feeling the Hawaii game will be approved because they already have a site, a television package and strong backing from the WAC and the Pac-10," Benson said.
"To think that no one has ever attempted a bowl doubleheader like this makes it even more special."
The logistics of the proposed doubleheader are still being discussed. Flying in four teams and housing them will be a big project, especially during the holidays.
ON a more mundane level, there will be several game-day logistical questions. For example, Klompus said that fans have the option of purchasing tickets at one price for both games.
For the single-minded, fans attending the Aloha Bowl would have about 90 minutes to clear out for the next game. Of course, whether they'd have to leave the parking lot as well remains to be seen. If they don't, look for some hellacious tailgate parties by those who attended the first game.
While some fans might get overwhelmed by the doubleheader proposal -- bowled over, as it were -- local media types might wind up thanking Klompus for his football largess.
Imagine sportswriters covering two games on Christmas Day while they're already on holiday pay. Add overtime at time-and-a-half on top of that. What a nice holiday bonus.
I change my mind. Great idea, Lenny. I hope it gets approved. I'm dreaming of a long Christmas already.