The University of Hawaii football team is projected to come away close to breaking even for its participation in the Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl.

Athletic director David Matlin said he still is crunching the numbers, but “right now we project to be anywhere from slightly negative to a slight positive on the bowl depending on how things work out. I think either way, there’s a lot of benefits to us going to a bowl game.”

Matlin said the Rainbow Warriors’ first bowl appearance since 2010 will provide national-television coverage that could help recruiting, 15 extra practices, and a launch for next year’s season-tickets sales.

”Plus, the experience for student-athletes,” Matlin said. “That’s kind of why we’re here.”

UH and Middle Tennessee receive about $425,000 apiece as a participation fee.

From their share, the Warriors must pay for their hotel stay, meals, per diem, ground transportation, and gifts to the players. According to contract terms, head coach Nick Rolovich will receive a $20,000 bonus for the Warriors’ bowl appearance. The assistant coaches will receive bonuses equivalent to one month’s pay.

In the past, UH’s hotel stay was five nights. This time, the Warriors will check into the Moana Surfrider on Dec. 20 for a four-night stay, saving a minimum of $25,000.

The players will continue to live in their dorms or off-campus housing until they move into the hotel. Players’ wives and children are permitted to stay in the hotel.

Because UH’s meal plan runs through brunch on Dec. 17, the day of the fall semester’s commencement ceremony, the players will be able to receive per diem beginning that evening. Per diem is $75, but meals provided by the bowl or UH are deducted from that daily amount.

The Warriors will receive separate gifts from UH and the Hawaii Bowl. UH-issued gifts will total about $300. The Warriors’ leadership council is recommending the gifts from the school.

It is not known the total value of gifts from the Hawaii Bowl. But last year, the Hawaii Bowl had a gift suite that included Oakley sunglasses and backpacks, Tori Richard aloha shirts, surf shorts, team-performance wear, beach bags and towels.

A luau is scheduled for Dec. 20, when the Warriors check into the hotel, and the Hawaii Bowl Kickoff Banquet is on Dec. 22.

“There’s a lot of tangible benefits and there’s intangible benefits that we can’t see and they all matter a lot,” Matlin said. “Our goal is to manage the finances as well as we can but without taking away from the student-athlete experience.”

Head coach Nick Rolovich said: “These guys are going to have a great experience. They’re going to really remember it for a long time.”