Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl Invites Notre Dame

 Honolulu, Hawai‘i - The University of Notre Dame has accepted an invitation to play in the 2008 SHERATON HAWAI‘I BOWL, Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl Executive Director David A. K. Matlin announced today. The Fighting Irish will meet the University of Hawai‘i, which accepted the SHERATON HAWAI'I BOWL invitation on Nov. 29.

"We are thrilled to have the University of Notre Dame in the 7th Annual SHERATON HAWAI‘I BOWL," Matlin said. "Notre Dame is a storied football tradition and we are honored to have both them and the University of Hawai‘i in our 2008 game."

Pete Derzis, ESPN Regional Television Vice President and General Manager, said, "to be able to attract Notre Dame as an at-large team in only our 7th year is a real testament to Hawai‘i being a world-class destination and the quality of our previous games. In addition the unique experiences we have provided for the student-athletes have played a big part in showcasing ourselves and the game."

Matlin added, "A special thanks to our title sponsor, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts for helping us build this game into something that is attractive to a University of Notre Dame’s caliber. Ernie Nishizaki, Kyo-ya Company, Ltd., Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, and Keith Vieira, Senior Vice President and Director of Operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii and French Polynesia, stepped up 6 years ago as the title sponsor to continue the game in Honolulu and have put us in a position to have this great match-up.

"I would be remiss if I did not mention and thank Jim Donovan for his leadership and mentorship the last six years as the bowl’s Executive Director. The last three weeks have been an intensive process to put the bowl in position to have a chance to get Notre Dame. Our executive committee, chaired by Hugh Yoshida, has stepped up to help to make this a reality. Also, a special mahalo to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and David Uchiyama, VP of Marketing, for all of their contributions in making this come to fruition."

Notre Dame (6-6) will be making its 29th bowl appearance and first since 2007 when it played in the Sugar Bowl. This will be Notre Dame’s second bowl appearance in Honolulu (Aloha Bowl, 1984).

The Warriors (7-6) and Fighting Irish have met twice previously in Honolulu with each game coming down to the wire. In 1991, Notre Dame held off UH, 48-42 and in 1997, rallied for a 23-22 victory.

The 2008 SHERATON HAWAI‘I BOWL will be played on Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24) at 8 p.m. EST/3 p.m. HST and will be telecast by ESPN from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.