Spring Practice Quotes after Day 3

About how the rain ruined their plans to practice in full pads for the first time in the Spring, Rocky Savaiigaea said:
"We were ready to go out and hit. Then they told us they were changing plans. It was like having Christmas without the presents." (HA)

HA Note: "Instead, the offense had a walk-through practice on the grass field, and the defensive linemen and linebackers worked on pass-rushing drills in Klum Gym. The defensive backs watched football videos."

About why he decided not to postpone practice until today (an open date), Mack said:
"I wanted to stay on the same routine." (HA)

"Instead of having a non-padded practice before a scrimmage, I used it for this practice." (HA)

About how he didn't want to risk injuries on the wet turf or tear up the field, Mack said:
"It's not like we don't want to go out in the rain. It's a safety issue." (HA)

HA Note: "UH does not have an indoor football facility. The infield for Cooke Field is condemned, and what was left of the tattered artificial turf was removed more than a year ago. What remains is the black under padding, which has deteriorated to the point where weeds are poking through. McMackin said practicing on Cooke Field would be like workout out "on cement." For that reason, McMackin said, he is grateful that plans are in the works to install new artificial turf at Cooke Field this summer."

HA Note: "Athletic director Jim Donovan said Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw has made it a "very high priority item" to install new turf at Cooke Field. He said the installation and renovation, which will involve repairing any damage to the underlying material, will cost between $1 million and $1.5 million."

About how the rain yesterday showed why they need to get Cooke Field done quickly, JD said:
"I was driving in this morning, seeing how wet it was, and I was thinking that the quicker we can get Cooke Field done, the better it will be for everybody. It's in progress. They're working on the request-for-proposal documents. We're anticipating the project will be worked on by summer time." (HA)

Excited that something will be finally done about Cookie Field, Mack said:
"I'm really excited because I know the administration and Legislature have worked really hard to get things going on Cooke Field." (HA)

HA Note: "In the meantime, the defensive players adjusted to the creative alternative in Klum Gym. Defensive linemen Joshua Leonard, John Fonoti, Elliott Purcell and Savaiigaea ran their drills in bare feet."

About practicing yesterday in bare feet, Savaiigaea said:
"You know, you've got to bring back the Hawai'i-style football. You've got to do what you've got to do. You can't wear cleats in the gym, so you've got to go barefoot." (HA)

HA Note: "Savaiigaea, Fonoti and Leonard were en route to the grass field when they were told of the change in plans. Fonoti said there was not enough time to hunt down gym shoes."

About how he didn't know that it rained in Hawaii when he committed to UH, Josh Leonard said:
"When I first signed up. I thought Hawai'i was always sunny and it never rained. I found out the first year it always rains. Every morning when I go to my car, it's wet." (HA)

About how the offense practiced for more than an hour in the rain, Inoke said:
"We thought it would be more of a cruise practice. I know the receivers ran a lot more routes. We got a lot more reps in. (Quarterback coach Nick) Rolovich had us going today." (HA)

About changing his practice plan due to the rain and how this shows why they need Cooke Field to be fixed, Mack said:
"It's not worth getting someone injured and tearing up the (grass) field. This is a great example of why we need Cooke Field. The good thing is I've been told that it will be addressed within a couple of months." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warriors' plan to conduct the first offense and defense interaction of the spring was altered when rain soaked the grass practice field. Instead, the defense walked through its packages in Klum Gym and the offense reviewed its work from the first two practices on the wet field. Offensive coordinator Ron Lee said his players survived the walk-through on the sloppy field without any mishaps. If Cooke Field was usable, the team could have had a regular practice."

Hoping to have Cooke Field ready in time for Fall practice, JD (who estimated it would cost between $1 and $1.5 mil) said:
"They're close to soliciting proposals for bids. The chancellor's very confident there are funds for that." (HSB)

About the importance of having Cooke Field as a practice venue, Ron Lee said:
"Obviously we need to practice on days that are wet, cloudy or slick. Also, a lot of the fields we play on (including Aloha Stadium) are not grass fields. It'd be good to go out there on certain days. And it would be good to be able to practice under the lights, especially for receivers and special teams. In so many ways it will be helpful. I'm glad they're talking about it." (HSB)

About how the Hawaii Bowl will be played on Christmas Eve again, Hawaii Bowl Executive Director David Matlin said:
"We are pleased to return to our Christmas Eve tradition. We're very excited about the Pac-10 vs. WAC matchup, and look forward to ESPN featuring two quality teams in a prime time slot on national television." (HA)