Random Warrior Quotes

About his life decision a few months after last season ended, Jason Rivers said:
"I wanted to be baptized." (HA)


About how he performed the ceremonial dunking, Inoke Funaki said:
"It meant a lot. He's a teammate, a brother. I felt honored." (HA)


About the start of last season after sitting out a year due to a broken ankle and academic problems, Rivers said:
At the start of last season, I was happy to be back (with the team), but I wasn't enjoying it the way I used to enjoy it." (HA)


About how he began to attend church near the end of last season, Rivers said:
"Going through some things, and staying in church, it made me realize how much I used to enjoy my life, how lucky I am to be able to do all of these things, and the gifts I'm blessed with. I found my spirit." (HA)


About how he asked Rivers earlier this year if he wanted to meet with the missionaries to discuss baptism, Funaki said:
"He politely declined. He said he wanted to make sure he was comfortable. That was cool. It's not something that anyone should feel pressured to do." (HA)


About being baptized, Rivers said:
"I thought about it. I realized how much God had an influence in the things I was blessed with. It wasn't a hard choice. I was ready to be baptized." (HA)


About how his outlook has changed since making the decision to be baptized, Rivers said:
"I have way more peace. I don't stress over things. I'm enjoying my life." (HA)


About giving pointers to the first-year receivers, Rivers said:
"If a guy is unsure out there, I'll help him. We're trying to develop depth on the roster. We need to get everybody up to speed. I want to help. I feel like a leader every year — maybe not by voice in previous years, but by my actions, and the way I practice." (HA)


About Rivers is one of their leaders, Funaki said:
"I think God is using him as a tool help touch others. I told him: 'You're definitely one of our leaders.' There are a lot of guys who look up to him. He knows how to take charge of the team. I told him to continue doing what he's doing. I've noticed a change. He feels happier within. I hope he'll be a light amongst everyone." (HA)


About receiving clearance to join the Warriors and practicing yesterday, Keenan Jones said:
"It's great to finally be part of the team ... and not be that bad seed on the team." (HA)

HA Note: "Last March, he was suspended from participating in spring training after missing mandatory meetings and training sessions. He was stripped of his football scholarship at the end of the spring semester. He also was arrested following a loud argument with his girlfriend, but no charges were filed and the case is considered to be closed."


About his off-the-field problems, Keenan said:
"I had my off-the-field things that could have been handled a little bit differently. I drew some attention that shouldn't be drawn to the team. I'm sorry about that. The focus should be on the team, not on me." (HA)


About how he was "stunned" to lose his scholarship, Keenan said:
"It was tough, trust me. I went home (to Los Angeles) and I had to get my head back right. I trained, stayed focused, stayed in my house, spent time with my family. I talked to my dad about it. My family wanted me to go back to Hawai'i and work hard. That's what I planned to do." (HA)


About taking out a student loan and receiving financial aid to pay for school now, Keenan said:
"I'll be all right." (HA)


After practicing without any difficulty yesterday, Adam Leonard said:
"It feels good to be out here and getting the work in," Leonard said.


About getting over the "mental barrier" of playing after his surgery, Adam said:
"I'm trying to get over it right now. I'll be fine." (HA)


About choosing to walk on to UH, WR Joe Avery (6' 4.5", 180 pounds) said he loved UH's offense:
"I saw a lot of their games (on television)," he said. "I heard about their quarterback, Colt (Brennan)." (HA)


About how the coaches (both JJ and Ron Lee) and players (including Michael Washington and Bess who stayed after practice to give him tips) have been helpful to him, Avery said:
"Everybody here is so welcoming. They treat each other like brothers, so it's not like high school, where you're fighting for spots, competition, or whatever. And we all want the same thing: that's to win games." (HSB)


Aboiut Avery, receivers coach Ron Lee said:
"He's coming along fine. He's got height, good hands. He's an athlete. And he's smart." (HA)


About Avery and Royce Pollard, Ron Lee said:
"Two really good young guys. (Avery) has got some speed, got great hands, and he's smart. He's coming along nicely -- it's only been two days, two practices. But already we can tell that he knows what we're doing, he has a good understanding of defense, different coverages, and he's picking up our system." (HSB)


About he was removed from the camp-opening roster because he hasn't completed work on his associate's degree, Viliami Nauhi said that he might be able to practice as early as Friday:
"I've waited this long, I can wait one more week." (HSB)