Warrior Quotes from the Game Plan Football Academy Clinic

HA Note: "The clinic, which ends today, was founded by Kamehameha Schools graduate and Brigham Young-Hawai'i assistant dean Asai Gilman, himself a collegiate football player at Southern Utah, to provide both intensive football instruction from NCAA Division I, II and III coaches and a crash course in the recruiting process, the NCAA Academic Clearinghouse, scholarships, school selection and other off-field essentials."

HA Note: "University of Hawai'i head coach Greg McMackin, who made it a point to appear despite having arrived back in Hawai'i at 5:30 a.m. from another camp in American Samoa, set the tone early with his keynote address to the assembled athletes. The players sat rapt as McMackin exhorted them to pay no attention to those who would place obstacles in their way."

About how they should not let anyone tell them they cannot do something, Mack said:
"Don't let anyone tell you you can't be who or what you want to be. We were No. 7 last year. After the Sugar Bowl, we were No. 17. This year, they have us at No. 77. Do you think this team believes that? Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something — including me." (HA)

When the high players started paying less attention when he talked about academic responsibilities, Mack said:
"Don't yawn — look at me! When I'm talking football, you're all paying attention. But when I start talking about academics, you look away. This is more important than athletics." (HA)

HA Note: "Despite two straight days without sleep, McMackin stuck around to greet as many players as he could and to reinforce the lessons of the camp."

About speaking at the clinic and greeting the players despite 2 straight days without sleep, Mack said:
"It was important for me to be here because I wanted them to understand how important it is for these guys to get good grades, good SAT scores, in order to have an opportunity to pursue their dreams." (HA)

HA Note; "UH defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea said the lessons he learned as a high school senior attending the very first Game Plan Football Academy have stayed with him through his college career. Savaiigaea, a family resources major who earned a 3.5 grade point average last semester, served as head counselor and head mentor at this week's camp. He was joined by fellow UH players Blaze Soares, Brashton Satele, Tuika Tufaga and Keith Ah Soon."

About how Game Plan helped him get to college, Rocky said:
"If you don't have the grades, it doesn't matter how good of a player you are, you're going nowhere. That's why I come back here. When I was a senior in high school, I didn't even know there was a clearinghouse. I always think back and I appreciate the fact that without this program, I wouldn't have made it to college." (HA)


About the kids at the Clinic, Cal Lee said:
"I see a lot of energetic, enthusiastic kids who want to learn the game of football, and you've got to love that. You can see from the fire in their eyes that they want to learn, and that's what we're here for. They want to be out here, and that's why this is such a joy." (HA)