FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 14, 2001 12 NOON HST/6:00pm EST

WAILUKU, MAUI, HI - It was announced this afternoon that the Hula Bowl Maui All-Star Football Classic and the National Football League have agreed to join forces to create a true all-star weekend the first Saturday and Sunday in February. At the heart of the agreement is the Hula Bowl moving from its traditional date in January to the day before the NFL Pro Bowl in February.

"This is one of the most exciting ventures our organization has ever undertaken," noted Leonard Klompus, CEO of the Hula Bowl Maui All-Star Football Classic. "The Hula Bowl has always had a close working relationship with the National Football League and its' players, many who have starred in our annual game. This is an idea that is long overdue and gives the football fans of Hawaii the opportunity to see the final college and professional football games of the year."

As part of the agreement the 56th Annual Hula Bowl Maui will be played in Maui on Saturday, February 2 and will be internationally televised by the ESPN Network as part of a new six-year deal, as well as broadcasted via the internet. The NFL Pro Bowl will be televised on ABC Sunday, February 3 from Honolulu. The agreement also calls for selected Hula Bowl players to attend the Pro Bowl, and NFL players to participate in the Heisman Golf Tournament on Maui earlier in the week. There are also plans on the drawing board for selected Hula Bowl Maui players to participate with the NFL players in a skills competition.

Jim Steeg, NFL Vice President for Special Events and a key architect of this unique arrangement said, "The NFL is excited about the prospect of creating a truly football all-star weekend. The opportunity for the best of the NFL and the future of the NFL to participate the same weekend in Hawaii will bring focus on not only the finale of the football season, but begin to look forward to the upcoming season."

Dave Brown, Director of College Programming for ESPN, stated about their new contract and this arrangement, "We are very excited about continuing our relationship with the Hula Bowl Maui and look forward to working with the NFL and the Hula Bowl Maui to make the final weekend of the College and Pro Football seasons a great one for players, fans and viewers. This is a great development for football fans throughout the country."

Additionally, the Hula Bowl Maui All-Star Football Classic announced a new three-year radio deal for national and international broadcast through Westwood One/CBS and the Armed Forces Radio Network.

The American Football Coaches Association will continue to choose coaches for the game and their Executive Director Coach Grant Teaff, who has been instrumental in the event for the last five years stated, "The American Football Coaches Association supports the date change for the 2002 Hula Bowl Maui to make a true all-star weekend."

Teaff continued, "The AFCA Board in its summer meeting, June 3rd, approved a new long-term working agreement with the Hula Bowl Maui. The Board expressed their appreciation to the management of the Hula Bowl adhering to the NCAA rules, even though the NCAA no longer regulates all-star football games. The AFCA believes that student-athletes and coaches who have excelled deserve an opportunity to participate in a long standing American football tradition, the Hula Bowl Maui. This new date will allow those all-stars who have a desire to join the professional ranks a greater opportunity for exposure. The AFCA, our Board, coaches, and our Selection Committee look forward to doing what we can to make the Hula Bowl Maui a truly rewarding experience for those who participate."

"I'm very honored to have the opportunity to participate as one Head Coach in the Hula Bowl Maui next year," said Bob Stoops, Head Coach of the defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners. "I have watched this game many times and know coaches who have coached in the game. Everyone has always praised the efforts of the Hula Bowl staff. Putting on an All-Star game isn't an easy job, especially when dealing with half an ocean between the venue and most of the players. It appears to me, however, that everyone is doing whatever it takes to ensure a great weekend of football for the fans."

On behalf of Mayor Kimo Apana, Marsha Wienert Executive Director of the Maui Visitors Bureau stated, "We're thrilled the Hula Bowl Maui will be paired with the Pro Bowl for the next year. We're confident Hula Bowl Maui will be elevated to the next level and reach a larger viewing audience both on Maui and worldwide. Concurrently, even though we've had a sell-out, we are gearing up for more fans to join us from the mainland as well!"

The Hula Bowl Maui will kick-off at 1:00pm HST on Saturday, February 2, 2002 and will be played at the newly renovated War Memorial Stadium where the last four games have sold-out. Tickets will remain at $30 and $25 and are available via phone charge at (808) 871-4141 or at the Maui Mall official logo store 7 days per week.

For further information contact: Marcia Klompus - President at (808) 871-4141 ext. 2# or (808) 256-1105.

Marcia Klompus - Executive Director
Lenny Klompus - Chief Executive Officer
Deidra Kelly - Associate Executive Director
Jessica Tawney - Ticket Manager