Two Bowl Scoops

[Guest Kelloggs]

It boils down to this:

If Louisville beats Tulane & Michigan State beats Hawaii, the Zips are going to a bowl because only 56 teams would then be qualified for 56 slots / 28 bowls.

Most likely the bowl that Akron would go to the...

http://www.sheratonhawaiibowl.com/

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has reached a multi-year and multi-faceted agreement with ESPN Regional Television to become the title sponsor of the second annual Hawaii Bowl.

ESPN will televise the 2004 game December 24th at 7 p.m. ET (2 p.m. Hawaii time) from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl matches a team from Conference USA against an opponent from the Western Athletic Conference.

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl will be part of ESPN and ESPN2's extensive bowl lineup. The Hawaii Bowl continues as the first non-all-star post-season game in Hawaii since December of 2000 when the Oahu Bowl and the Aloha Bowl were played in Honolulu.

Ticket Prices:

Premium : $40

Special : $15

Corporate Ticket Packages:

-------------------------------

Small Business Package $350

8 Tickets ($40 each)

8 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl Tickets

1 Aloha Stadium Parking Pass

# Early Bird Ticket Bonus (2 extra Tickets)

Bronze Package $800

20 Tickets ($40 each)

20 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl Tickets

1 Aloha Stadium Parking Pass

# Early Bird Ticket Bonus (4 extra Tickets)

Silver Package $1,250

50 Tickets ($25 each)

50 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl Tickets

2 Aloha Stadium Parking Passes

# Early Bird Ticket Bonus (10 extra Tickets)

Gold Package $2000

50 Tickets ($40 each)

50 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl Tickets

3 Aloha Stadium Parking Passes

2 Free Tickets to the Inaugural Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Wine Tasting Fundraiser

# Early Bird Ticket Bonus (10 extra Tickets)

Platinum Package $4,000

100 Tickets ($40 each)

100 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl Tickets

8 Aloha Stadium Parking Passes

4 Free Tickets to the Inaugural Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Wine Tasting Fundraiser

# Early Bird Ticket Bonus (20 extra Tickets)

Saturday, December 18

TBD Akron and UAB Arrive Check into Hotel Honolulu International Airport

TBD Akron Practice University of Hawaii

TBD UAB Aloha Stadium

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Media and Information Center Sheraton Waikiki – 2nd Floor

 

Sunday, December 19

TBD Akron Practice University of Hawaii

TBD UAB Aloha Stadium

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Media and Information Center Sheraton Waikiki – 2nd Floor

10:00 am - Noon Officials Clinic University of Hawaii

11:00 am Press Conference Murphy’s Bar and Grill

11:30 am - 12:30 pm Akron Complimentary Na Koa Lunch Murphy’s Bar and Grill

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm UAB Complimentary Na Koa Lunch Murphy’s Bar and Grill

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Hawaiian Adventures Water Park (Akron) Kapolei

6:00 pm Sheraton Welcome Luau Sheraton Waikiki

 

Monday, December 20

TBD Akron Practice University of Hawaii

TBD UAB Aloha Stadium

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Media and Information Center Sheraton Waikiki – 2nd Floor

11:00 am Press Conference Murphy’s Bar and Grill

TBD Pearl Harbor Tour (Akron) Pearl Harbor / Arizona Memorial

2:15 pm – 3:45 pm Pearl Harbor Tour (UAB) Pearl Harbor / Arizona Memorial

6:30 pm Outback Steakhouse Barefoot Pep Rally Waikiki Beach

 

Tuesday, December 21

TBD Akron Practice University of Hawaii

TBD UAB Aloha Stadium

TBD Private Golf Outing – TBD TBD

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Media and Information Center Sheraton Waikiki – 2nd Floor

11:00 am Press Conference Murphy’s Bar and Grill

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Hawaiian Adventures Water Park - C-USA Kapolei

6:00 pm Heineken Beach Party Barbeque Sheraton Waikiki

 

Wednesday, December 22

TBD Akron Practice University of Hawaii

TBD UAB Aloha Stadium

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Media and Information Center Sheraton Waikiki – 2nd Floor

11:00 am Press Conference Murphy’s Bar and Grill

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm Hospital Visit Shriners Hospital

4:45 pm UAB Team Photo Sheraton Waikiki – Poolside

5:15 pm Akron Team Photo Sheraton Waikiki – Poolside

6:00pm Kick-off Banquet Sheraton Waikiki

 

Thursday, December 23

9:00 am NCAA Pre-Game Meeting Sheraton Waikiki – Kohala/Kona

10:30 am Press Conference Sheraton Waikiki - 2nd Floor

11:30 am Lunch - UAB Outback Restaurant - Waikiki

11:30 am Lunch - Akron Outback Restaurant - Hawaii Kai

TBD Team Walk-Thru (UAB) Aloha Stadium

TBD Team Walk-Thru (Akron) Aloha Stadium

 

Friday, December 24

12 Noon ESPN VIP Tailgate Aloha Stadium (NW Wedge inside Gate 6)

2:00 pm Kickoff Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Aloha Stadium

Following Game Post-Game Media Conference South End Zone Hospitality Room

* From Saturday, December 18 through Wednesday, December 22, Hospitality Suites will be available for the Akron at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider and for UAB at the Sheraton Waikiki from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

[Guest ***GUEST_Zipper]

Nice thought, but Akron should be in play for at least 3 bowl games.

Dec. 24 Hawaii Hawaii (WAC) vs. Southern Miss (C-USA)

Dec. 23 Las Vegas New Mexico (MWC No. 2) vs. Syracuse (at-large***)

Dec. 23 Fort Worth Cincinnati (C-USA) vs. Marshall (at-large******)

Any of the at-large teams should be pretty fluid. The most likely scenario has every

bowl bid but one extended before next Saturday night's kickoff at Aloha Stadium. That would mean if Hawaii wins, they stay home and if they lose the bowl invites the Zips. From what I have heard teams generally lose big money going to the Hawaii bowl game and would most likely take the first domestic bowl option.

How many fans do you think would drop $2,000 per person to travel over Christmas to Hawaii? I know that my family of 5 will be there.

[Z-Pouch]

It's just my opinion and beggers cant be choosers but the Hawaii Bowl is the worst draw the Zips could get from a UA fans vantage point. It will be great for the players but this is a tough one for us fans. Any bowl but Hawaii and probably beautiful Boise (MPC Computers), everything else was on the table for me to make a couple day trip.

- If I'm going to Hawaii, I'm going for atleast 1 week, probably two. Pretty tough quick trip to just see game.

- Christmas Eve TV game - There goes any Zips bowl parties with friends.

- Christmas Eve TV game II - Trying to watch a game with everything XMas going on.

On the positive side -- for the Zips players and the program -- a great trip, warm weather, probably the only TV game that night and ESPN rather then ESPN II. Not a bad deal.

Opinions aside, any bowl game is great for the program so here's hoping everything falls into place.

[Z-Pouch]

That would mean if Hawaii wins, they stay home and if they lose the bowl invites the Zips. From what I have heard teams generally lose big money going to the Hawaii bowl game and would most likely take the first domestic bowl option.

Agreed. Take the first domestic bowl offered and avoid getting shutout (being #57 and worst yet allowing Marshall to be #56) if Hawaii wins late next Saturday/early Sunday. It seems like there will be other options.

[Akron1]

Are the Zips still practicing or working out?

[Guest ***GUEST_Zippy]

Most bowls are going to extend their invitations this week. Louisville ain't losing to Tulane and the Hawaii/MSU game is the only one remaining with bowl implications.

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl is hoping for the Rainbows to be in their game for a third straight year so that will be the only spot left. If Hawaii wins they stay home, if not the Zips will go.

Akron is going to be the last team in the party door so beggars can't be choosy. I think Akron could take 1,000 or so folks to this game - a great family holiday excursion.

[Z-Pouch]

Akron is going to be the last team in the party door so beggars can't be choosy. I think Akron could take 1,000 or so folks to this game - a great family holiday excursion.

That would mean Marshall would get the nod over the Zips for #56. I just don't see the MAC conference allowing this to happen. UA -- Forget about the Hawaii Bowl and take first domestic bowl offered before Marshall steps up to the plate -- Let them take the chance of which MSU team shows up in Hawaii. We dont want to be #57 !!!!!!

[Z-Pouch]

I still like Fox's predictions which were updated after yesterdays games. They have Marshall in the hot seat for the Hawaii Bowl rather then us.

Fox's Bowl Predictions Link

[Guest ***GUEST_Zipper]

You cannot be #57 if only 56 teams are eligible for Bowls. No bowl will offer Akron unless they have to and that is a fact.

The MAC stumping or not for Marshall is a non factor as Conference USA will be doing this for them. Marshall also has a following, which Akron does not.

[zipsbandman]

I still like Fox's predictions which were updated after yesterdays games. They have Marshall in the hot seat for the Hawaii Bowl rather then us.

Fox's Bowl Predictions Link

Those predictions can't be right. It has us going to the Silicon Valley Bowl, and that bowl is supposed to go to the third best MAC team. I don't know. We'll see.

[Z-Pouch]

You cannot be #57 if only 56 teams are eligible for Bowls. No bowl will offer Akron unless they have to and that is a fact.

The MAC stumping or not for Marshall is a non factor as Conference USA will be doing this for them. Marshall also has a following, which Akron does not.

The point is a Hawaii win makes 57 and they will definately be in. The team left out will be Akron or Marshall.

[Guest Duh]

No shit Sherlock. Akron will not go to a bowl over Marshall... you would have to be impared to think anyone would take Akron over Marshall.

[Big Zip]

if you read the press release announcing the MAC and the Silicon Valley Bowl it makes no mention as to which team goes to the Silicon Valley Bowl. With that in mind -- the teams that play in the MAC Championship game are guaranteed bowl games -- Motor

City and GMAC. The four remaining teams are -- Akron 6-5, BGSU 8-3, NIU 8-3 and Marhsall at 6-5. It's not a matter of taking Marshall over Akron -- it is a matter of taking Marshall over NIU and BGSU. If two bowls come calling to fill their slots this week with BGSU and NIU -- you can count on the MAC sending Akron to the Silicon Valley Bowl over Marshall. That is a scenario I can see playing out this week and how Akron gets to San Jose.

[GoZips]

Akron will not go to a bowl over Marshall... you would have to be impared to think anyone would take Akron over Marshall.

This is NOT entirely true. While Marshall has experience with going to bowl games and purportedly has a fan base that will travel neither item is sufficient to actually overcome the huge out lay of capital (money) required. There has to be a willingness to market the product. Past Marshall involvement with bowl games came to them THROUGH the MAC Conference.

Bowl committees are interested in just one thing; SELLING TICKETS.

Charlie Frye is starting to be well known around the college football world. He has the potential to be a huge draw for a bowl game. This really is Akron's ace in the hole.

Mel Keiper's recent remarks calling Charlie "the BEST quarterback in the draft" and Sports Illustrated listing Charlie as the number one non-BCS player in the nation are marketing tools that bowls just love. Remember, their goal is to sell tickets to the local population. Not even the best followed team in the world (Notre Dame) sells 60,000 tickets on its own merits to a bowl game hundreds if not thousands of miles from home.

Marshall schelping a 1,000 fans to a bowl game or Akron bring just 500 is a drop in the bucket in either case to a committee trying to fill a 60,000 seat stadium. The bowl committee needs something to market. That is exactly why College Football News and now some others are projecting a match up between Fresno State and the Zips. A shoot out of grand proportions puts a twinkle in the bowl committee's collective eye.

If the Zips do go to Hawai'i Z.I.P. and I (GoZips) will provide lots of tips on enjoying Hawai'i. While Z.I.P. lives in Honolulu I have traveled to Hawai'i more than a dozen times. Either or both of us can give lots of details on enjoying your stay in Hawai'i. Z.I.P. obviously knows the lay of the land far better than I do. however, as a frequent and cheap assed visitor I know tricks that delight tourists such as myself.

A comment mentioned earlier by one of the posters is an excellent and well thought out remark. That is, plan for at least a week and two weeks is much better.

Hawai'i does NOT have to be expensive. As recent as the last trip the men's basketball team traveled to Hawai'i I enjoyed a corner room that both overlooked Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach for THIRTY-FIVE dollars per night.

More to follow if we travel to Hawai'i. Mahalo

[JP Morgan]

Are the Zips still practicing or working out?

As of the day before Thanksgiving, yes. I saw Sullivan (or some other kicker) kicking feield goals in the fieldhouse. Also I spoke with several players outside of the varsity locker room and they were still hitting the weights pretty hard. I asked one of the players if he heard anything about a bowl, his reply was "not yet."

[Guest Guest]

... you would have to be impared to think anyone would take Akron over Marshall.

Isn't that what some were saying before the Akron-Marshall game?

[zff]

Just my thought but I think more people would like to see Charlie Frye than MArshall

[Z-Pouch]

No shit Sherlock.  Akron will not go to a bowl over Marshall... you would have to be impared to think anyone would take Akron over Marshall.

Some ignorant posts are not even worth replying to. But since so many seem to be impared, I might as well add my name to the list.

With the Frye factor, it is a toss up. I hardly believe the bowl committees are lobbying to get that college powerhouse Herd. Wake up, they (You) are nothing more then a mid major ( like Akron) that will be lucky to bring thousands (NOT 10's of thousands) of fans to a bowl game. As a number of people have mentioned in previous posts, the mid to lower end bowls will be looking for X factors that will draw local crowds and TV ratings. At their level, no one truely travels all that well adding anything significant to attendence.

Get back to reality --> 31-28 Akron