SUPER PARTY

The Saints march in, and 106.5 million watch them do it

Huge. Humongous, Stupendous. And yes, well, super.

That pretty much describes the TV ratings record set Sunday by the Super Bowl game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. The Saints won, 31-17.

The Nielsen Co. estimates that 106.5 million people tuned in to the game, making it the most-watched program in U.S. TV history, passing the 105.97 million record set by the “;M-A-S-H”; finale in 1983.

Sunday's viewers were not disappointed. The super moments were plentiful: a tight matchup all the way to the final minutes; a gutsy, onside kick at the start of the second half that fired up the Saints' momentum; and, after the win, MVP QB Drew Brees, with tears in his eyes, cuddling and hoisting up infant son Baylen. All that, against the New Orleans back story of triumph over post-Katrina adversity.

Super indeed.

LOOKIN' FOR A BOOST

Crusaders on a crusade to upgrade their campus

Saint Louis School is optimistic that proud alumni will help fund a major upgrade of sports facilities on the Waialae campus and the adjacent Chaminade University. Plans call for a 2,000-seat athletic field house to replace the Gerber Field House, renovating McCabe Gym and adding office space for both schools' athletic departments. How much is accomplished depends not only on city approval but also on how much money the schools are able to raise. James Morris, executive assistant to the president at Saint Louis School, said that despite the weak economy, the school is optimistic that boosters will come through, based on past strong support for athletics.