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ALOHA, OAHU BOWL NOTEBOOK

Doubleheader
may stay split

Playing two games on Christmas may come to an end as new executive director Fritz Rohlfing reviews the matter in the spring.

This year's Oahu and Aloha bowls will be played on consecutive days to accommodate ESPN, which doesn't have an NFL game this weekend.

As a result, the Oahu Bowl was moved to Christmas Eve, which should give it a captive audience as people on the mainland prepare for Christmas Day.

"I've given it some thought because there are advantages to having the games played on consecutive days," Rohlfing said yesterday. "Logistically, it's a lot better for the people at Aloha Stadium. And I think it's a lot easier for the fans.

"Stadium officials were telling me how many tickets are sold the day of the game. If we could benefit from two days of walk-up crowds, it would definitely help with our ticket sales. We'll have to sit down and talk about it early next year."

Rohlfing completed the purchase yesterday of the two games from former owners Lenny and Marcia Klompus. His company will be called Aloha Sports Inc.

Having to wait two weeks longer than usual to see how the Bowl Championship Series played out hurt the two Hawaii bowl games. Rohlfing said it cut into the marketing campaign by 25 percent because nobody knew which teams would be here.

"Ticket sales have really picked up this week, which is good," Rohlfing said. "Things were going a little slow there for a while. We knew we wouldn't do as well as last year because Hawaii isn't in the equation."

His main goal is to make the games more of a local tradition. For years, the Aloha Bowl has generated solid national exposure, but hasn't always been that well received on the Oahu scene.

"One of my fondest memories growing up was attending the Thanksgiving Day ILH football games with my dad at the old Honolulu Stadium," Rohlfing said. "I want to create the same atmosphere, one in which families embrace these games as a tradition for the holidays."

Arizona State sees stars

When you look down the depth chart of the Arizona State Sun Devils two names jump out at you. They are tight end Todd Heap, known as the Golden Retriever, and linebacker Adam Archuleta, who was named the Pac-10's defensive player of the year.

"We have some very talented players with these two guys heading the list," ASU head coach Bruce Snyder said. "Adam is one of the best linebackers I've ever coached and Todd is really come into his own as a tight end."

Despite being only a junior, Heap is the career-reception leader for tight ends with 112 for 1,658 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named first team All-Pac-10 and was a second team All-American selection by the Associated Press. Texas-El Paso's Brian Natkin was named first team.

As for Archuleta, he was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and the Football News defensive player of the year. He finished the season with 119 tackles, including three quarterback sacks.

Only 6-foot and 208 pounds, Archleta relies more on speed than strength. As Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel described him, "He is a speed merchant. He runs around and is like a bullet on the field."

Archuleta takes the compliments in stride. His main concern now is getting Arizona State a win on Monday against Boston College in his last game as a Sun Devil.

"We didn't do well at all here last year, so we want to come out and play well, and show people what ASU football is all about," Archuleta said. "I've had a great career. It's hard to believe it's going to end on Monday."

Making a contribution

Boston College donated 500 Aloha Bowl tickets to the Palama Settlement, a non-profit organization that provides recreational and community programs for children and families in the Kalihi area.

"Whenever we go to a bowl game we ask our alumni to buy tickets that we can contribute to a local charity," Boston College head coach Tom O'Brien said. "We're happy to do it and hope they enjoy the game."

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Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin