Weaverville – “Congratulations on being selected to play in the Hawaii Tiki Bowl Senior All-Star Game.” That’s the word North Buncombe High student Kolbie Hughey, 17, of Weaverville, recently received when asked to play at the Hawaii Tiki Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Hawaii Tiki Bowl takes place in the Aloha Stadium from December 30 to January 4. Players from across the US are invited to play at this football game.
Kolbie is going into his senior year at North Buncombe High School, and he is the only student to have been invited to play in this bowl. Kolbie is very excited to be participating in the Hawaii Tiki Bowl, while there he will be playing with other seniors from around the US, being coached by college coaches, learning about the culture of the Hawaiin people, and of course what highschooler would not want to be playing their favorite sport in Hawaii.
Kolbie stated, “Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to go into the NFL or to college” and he sees this game as being a great pathway to his goals. He has been playing football since he was about seven years old. Kolbie is currently hoping to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to play football and major in either Business or Engineering.
Hughey is the linebacker for NBHS’ football team and he is hoping to be recognized by colleges and get scholarship offers after attending the Hawaii Tiki Bowl. Kolbie stated it felt good to be recognized for his skill in football.
Kolbie will be flying out to Honolulu by himself, which his mom was apprehensive about, but she stated that “the main thing is just getting him there so he can have this awesome experience.”
As you can imagine this is not a free trip for the young and talented athlete. The cost of this trip is $2,995, and Kolbie is asking his community to help donate via a GoFundMe page titled “Send Kolbie to the Tiki Bowl.” Kolbie has until August 1st to raise these funds.