Can the Pro Bowl be saved? Can Hawaii become its permanent home again?

Michael Irvin and Jesse Sapolu hope so.

And the NFL hopes it can sell out the 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium for its all-star game, like it used to do back when Irvin and Sapolu starred for the Cowboys and 49ers.

The league took aim at corporate sales early this week, as Irvin and Sapolu courted business-type crowds Monday and Tuesday at the Hukilau restaurant on Bishop Street.

The NFL also hopes to strengthen its appeal with younger fans.

The two players — who combined for seven Super Bowl wins and numerous Pro Bowl nods — visited Farrington High School, Sapolu’s alma mater, on Tuesday. As everyone who was on the roster of or a coach of a Super Bowl team also is doing as part of the NFL’s 50th anniversary, Sapolu delivered a golden football for the Governors’ trophy case.

Hawaii high school football will be celebrated at halftime of the Pro Bowl on Jan. 31. Sapolu and other Super Bowl participants from Hawaii will escort their high school’s current players onto the field.

Sapolu recounted an interview prior to San Francisco hosting Dallas in an NFC championship game. “The road to the Super Bowl goes through Candlestick Park,” he said.

After the Cowboys won, Mark Tuinei shook Sapolu’s hand and said “Eh, brah, thanks for the directions.”

Instant classic

That’s the only way to describe Hawaii’s last-second 76-75 win against Nevada late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, part of ESPN’s College-Hoops Tip-Off Marathon and the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic.

Point guard Roderick Bobbitt’s outside shooting cooled off. But he was clutch when he had to be and sank the final basket of a frenzied end to UH’s third win against no losses.

As they did in their first two games, the ’Bows built a double-digit lead. This time, though, slumping in the second half finally cost them the lead, and the Wolf Pack went ahead late after trailing by 12 points with 12 minutes left in the game.

If the second-half free-throw shooting doesn’t improve, this team will lose games because of it.

No good deed goes unpunished department

UH athletic director David Matlin had good intentions when he announced the formation and names of an advisory group to assist him as he picks a new football coach.

But too many fans don’t and won’t understand this is not a search or selection committee. The members won’t be voting on candidates. Complaints came fast and furious yesterday about “politics as usual” and such.

Even though the group doesn’t include downtown business leaders, some fans still think it means powerful non-football experts are picking a football coach.

Matlin won’t disclose the names of everyone he consults with while deciding on a recommendation for the job (nor should he). By definition, it is not a transparent process.

Perception becomes reality, and some people won’t be convinced the baseball coach and a vice chancellor are not picking the new coach, since they are members of what is called an advisory group.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads