SHERATON HAWAI‘I BOWL INVITES SMU

HONOLULU – SMU has accepted an invitation to play in the 2009 SHERATON HAWAI‘I BOWL, Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl Executive Director David A. K. Matlin announced today. The Mustangs will meet a representative from the Western Athletic Conference on Christmas Eve at Aloha Stadium. SMU, which has posted the biggest turnaround in the nation this season, will snap a 25-year bowl drought with this berth.

“We are very excited with the return of June Jones to Hawai‘i to participate in his fifth Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl as a coach,” Matlin said. “Spending the Christmas season in Hawai‘i will be a well deserved reward for the players, coaches and the loyal Mustang fans.”

“Having had the opportunity to participate in the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl in 2005, I can say with confidence that it is truly one of the best postseason experiences in college football,” said Steve Orsini, SMU Director of Athletics. “This is a trip of a lifetime and an excellent reward for our student-athletes, coaches and staff. We are excited to represent SMU and Conference USA in the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl.”

“We set this bowl as a goal before the season started and I am so happy that our players will be able to have this experience,” said June Jones, SMU Head Coach. “Reaching our first bowl game in 25 years is special – not only for our current student-athletes, but also for the guys who came before them and our student body, staff and fans. This bowl has special meaning for me personally, as eight years ago, I was part of the original vision ESPN and Sheraton had for Hawai‘i and the nation. It is exciting to be a part of one of the best bowl experiences in college football.”

SMU (7-5) will be making its 11th bowl appearance and first since 1984 when it played in the Aloha Bowl in Honolulu. The Mustangs tied for first place with Houston in the Conference-USA West Division with identical 6-2 league records. SMU, which finished 1-11 last season, is coached by former Hawai‘i coach June Jones, who is in his second year at the Hilltop.

The 2009 SHERATON HAWAI‘I BOWL will be played on Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24) at 8 p.m. EST/3 p.m. HST and will be telecast by ESPN from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.Tickets are available by calling 808-548-BOWL or online.