Spartans Return to Aloha Stadium for 2024 Hawai’i Bowl
San José State will ring in the new year in paradise once again. The Spartans accepted an invitation to compete in the 2024 Hawai’i Bowl, marking their second consecutive appearance in Honolulu. The game will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 5:00 p.m. (PT) at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa campus.
“It’s an honor to be selected to compete in the Hawai’i Bowl for a second consecutive season,” said SJSU Director of Athletics Jeff Konya. “It speaks to our brand and what Ken (Niumatalolo) has done in his first season at San José State. It’s an elite bowl game for the experiences provided to the participants, and we have many rich ties and connections to the area, including our head coach and other staffers. We look forward to playing on ESPN as the only nationally televised college football game on December 24th."
This postseason berth marks a historic achievement for the program. It’s their second straight year at the Hawaiʻi Bowl—becoming the first time in program history that the Spartans have reached three consecutive bowls. Additionally, the Spartans are making their fourth bowl game appearance in the past five years.
The clash also marks a rematch with the University of South Florida (6-6).
The game will air nationally on ESPN Radio, locally on KTRB 860 AM, and simulcast on ESPN+ for the second meeting between the schools. This marks San José State’s 14th overall bowl appearance, bringing their record to 7-6.
San José State wrapped up its regular season with a victory over Stanford, broadcast nationally on ESPN. The Spartans boast the best record amongst all FBS schools in California.
The Spartans (7-5) finished fifth in the Mountain West standings, playing the toughest schedule amongst their conference rivals.
The Spartans are powered by Biletnikoff Finalist Nick Nash,
who capped off a remarkable regular season.
Nash achieved the rare triple crown. He led all FBS college football in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,382), and receiving touchdowns (16).
Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo, a familiar face in Hawai’i, expressed his excitement, stating, “We are ecstatic to be invited to the Hawai’i Bowl; everyone
Our entire program is overjoyed! Everyone, especially our players, worked incredibly hard for this amazing reward. We have coaches and players from Hawai’i, making this experience even more special."
Niumatalolo, La’ie High School.
A former quarterback for Hawai’i from 1987-89, Niumatalolo was part of the school’s inaugural bowl team in 1989. The Hawai’i Bowl is known for its high-scoring, thrilling offenses, and close games with two overtime contests and seven decided by one touchdown
taches梘 “On behalf of ESPN Events and our Executive Committee, we’re thrilled to welcome South Florida and San José State to the Hawai’i Bowl
– How has San José State’s recent success translated to improvements in recruiting and brand recognition for the program?
## Interview: Spartans Head Back to the Hawaii Bowl
**Interviewer:** Joining us now is San José State Athletics Director Jeff Konya.Congratulations on the Spartans’ return to the Hawai’i Bowl! This is your second consecutive appearance, making it a historic achievement for the program. How does it feel to be invited back?
**Jeff Konya:** It’s an incredible honor to be selected for the Hawai’i Bowl for the second year in a row. [[1](https://fbschedules.com/san-jose-state-south-florida-to-play-in-2024-hawaii-bowl/)]We’re thrilled for our players and coaching staff, especially Coach Niumatalolo in his first season. This speaks volumes about the direction of our program.
**Interviewer:** This also marks three consecutive bowl appearances for the Spartans, a first in program history. Can you speak to the program’s growth and the hard work that’s gone into achieving this milestone?
**Jeff Konya:** Absolutely. This success is a testament to the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and the entire SJSU community. We’ve built a culture of excellence both on and off the field, and seeing that translate to consistent success is truly rewarding.
**Interviewer:** The Hawai’i Bowl offers a unique experience for the players, not just on the field, but in terms of location and culture. What are your thoughts on the impact of this bowl game experience for the team?
**Jeff Konya:** It’s a fantastic opportunity for our players. The Hawai’i Bowl provides them with an unforgettable experience, both athletically and culturally. To compete in paradise and immerse themselves in the vibrant Hawaiian culture is a privilege.
**Interviewer:** your statement highlighted the national exposure on ESPN and being the only college football game on December 24th. What does this opportunity mean for the Spartans program and its visibility?
**Jeff Konya:** This is a valuable platform for San José State Athletics. Playing on ESPN on Christmas Eve gives us a chance to showcase our program to a national audience, further elevating our brand and highlighting the excellence we strive for.
