Travel, AhSoon, Kajiyama, Another NOLA Party, Etc.

Kalani Takase has some details about the who's going to the Sugar Bowl, and how much it might end up costing UH.

University of Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier said he expects the school will realize at least $2 million from its Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl appearance after expenses are deducted for a traveling party of 542.

It is estimated UH will get a total of $4.5 million for the Bowl Championship Series game in New Orleans.

"Two million, for sure, is probably a good guess-timate and probably have great aspirations to be much higher," Frazier said during a weekly meeting with the media yesterday.

Frazier was unable to give an exact figure, citing numerous variables in the process.

The Star-Bulletin's Craig Gima has more.

The university is spending about $700,000 to $750,000 on three chartered Hawaiian Airlines jets to take the 113-member football team; 17 coaches; 48 athletic department administrators and staff; 281 band members, cheerleaders, Rainbow Dancers and staff; family members; and VIPs to New Orleans starting this afternoon.

Then there is the expense of lodging, meals and ground transportation.

The University of Hawaii also is allowed to buy a gift for each football player going to the game with a value of up to $350.

Some contracts for meals and lodging still have to be signed, so it is not clear yet what the total bill for the travel expenses will be, Frazier said.

"It is a business trip for us," Frazier said. "The money we'll be able to save on expenses will help our bottom line."

Also on that page, Dave Reardon has a breakdown of the numbers, while Jennifer Sudick talks to agent Leigh Steinberg about how UH's success will bring in more money to the university.

The success of the University of Hawaii football team this year will help contributions to all areas of the university in coming years, according to sports agent Leigh Steinberg.

Everything from endorsements, licensing partners and alumni donations to product and ticket sales will continue to rise because of the publicity surrounding quarterback Colt Brennan and coach June Jones, Steinberg said.

"There has been more national press coverage of the UH football program in this last year maybe than the whole history of Hawaii football combined," he said. "And much of it revolves around Colt Brennan."

Discussing Hawaii's success while simultaneously angling to be Colt's agent for $200, Alex. Gong!

Dave Reardon writes that June Jones thinks that there may be close to 35K Hawaii fans attending the Sugar Bowl. On the same page, Reardon profiles left tackle Keith AhSoon.

When Keith AhSoon wasn't protecting Colt Brennan's blindside this year, he was helping him graduate.

Don't worry, it's not what you might think.

"I did a report on Keith for an ethnic studies class about where he came from," the Hawaii quarterback said. "He's a unique guy and it's amazing how well he's adapted. You feel like you could put him in the middle of New York and he'd survive."

There's no snow, no department stores at which to buy big screen TVs and no turkeys to cook for dinner. But, yes, Christmas is certainly celebrated on the tiny American Samoan island of Faleasao, an 8-hour boat ride from the relative metropolis of Pago Pago.

The AP's Jaymes Song profiles grad assistant Brian Kajiyama.

Kajiyama sits with the fans at Aloha Stadium because the coaches' booth isn't accessible by wheelchair. He's not allowed on the field during the game for safety reasons.

Also, Kajiyama hasn't accompanied the Warriors on any of their away games, let alone been on the team bus ride to their home stadium.

That'll change today.

He'll make his first road trip with the team when the Warriors travel to New Orleans.

Reinebold and others on the team lobbied for Kajiyama to attend after it appeared he would be left behind, again. The university has arranged for a wheelchair-accessible bus and hotel room to accommodate Kajiyama.

"To have my official road trip to be a BCS bowl, I'd say that's a heck of a first trip to make," he said.

Mike Griffith writes an article about Georgia not overlooking Hawaii.

Richt said Hawai'i could present as much of a challenge as anyone the Bulldogs might have faced in a BCS game.

"You can see Hawai'i is passionate about the game and very resilient,'' Richt said. "They will not panic and they will not quit. I've seen them down, and they got off the mat.''

Richt, who votes in the USA Today coaches' poll, said he saw enough of the Warriors in late-night games to know what to expect.

"San Jose State, they played in horrific weather, then Washington and Louisiana Tech, Hawai'i has had some games that are heart-pounding barn burners and they came out on the winning end, and that gives a team confidence,'' Richt said. "You turn the film on, and our guys are smart enough to know when they see a good team, it's undeniable. There's no complacency here.''

Griffith also compiles a lot of Sugar Bowl predictions from writers throughout the land. A sampling:

"I'm excited to see Hawai'i, because I think their offense is unbelievable and I don't think they get their just dues. I'm curious to see how they do against an SEC team. I think Georgia will win 35-31.''

Brian Dohn

Los Angeles Daily News

"The best way to stop Colt Brennan is to hand the ball to Knowshon Moreno 40 times. This game is great for college football. Often you get the same old, same old, and this is a match-up you couldn't even imagine to put together on a PlayStation 2. Georgia 34, Hawai'i 24.''

Ron Higgins

Memphis Commercial Appeal

SMU is looking at June Jones for their vacant head coach job.

SMU is interested in Hawaii coach June Jones as its new football coach, according to a source with knowledge of the school's search.

The interest may help explain why SMU is still looking for a coach despite firing Phil Bennett on Oct. 28.

Right.

Via Garret at UH Warrior Quotes, another recounting of Colt Brennan's story, this time by David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Presidential candidates seeking to win the state of Hawaii would be wise to get their picture made with Warriors senior quarterback Colt Brennan.

"He could get anything he wanted to win on this island right now," Hawaii coach June Jones said. "He could be governor. He could be speaker of the house. We could go back to the royal times, and he could be king."

Kalani Simpson returns with his all-time all-UH team.

And the Advertiser has details of the Hawaiian Cajun Bash party in NOLA, as well as info on another New Year's Eve party at The Sugar Mill.

University of Hawaii fans in New Orleans can celebrate New Year's Eve with other UH fans, celebrities, former UH players and current NFL players at The Sugar Mill in New Orleans' Warehouse District.

The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. The venue, located at 1021 Convention Center Blvd., is within walking distance from most hotels and the French Quarter.

Entertainers scheduled to perform include Willie K., Vili the Warrior, Augie T., Na Leo's Nalani Choi and others.

Also expected to attend will be former UH players Samson Satele (Miami) and Isaac Sopoaga (San Francisco).

Tickets are $49 in advance and $59 at the door. Children under 10 are free.

Man, that sounds like it's gonna be an awesome party too. Tough choice! You can get more info at www.warriorsrally.com.