"Just go to class." (HA)
HA Note: "The graduates said they earned additional credits attending summer school. UH pays for up to two classes each summer. What's more, entering freshmen may now take summer-session classes instead of waiting until the fall semester. Funaki earned his degree in psychology in December 2008. After graduating from Kahuku High, he went on a church mission for two years. He enrolled in UH in January 2005, and earned his bachelor's degree in eight semesters."
About getting his degree in just 8 semesters, Inoke Funaki said:
"I wouldn't consider myself an amazing student. I could have put in more effort. I did what I needed to do. I was persistent. I actually didn't know I was on track to graduate early until they told me. 'Serious?' It was cool." (HA)
HA Note: "Mahaley, who earned a degree in public administration, is on track to earn his master's in May 2011. His football scholarship runs through May 2010. He hopes to work as a student manager or graduate assistant to pay for his remaining education."
About how they stress academics to their players, resulting in so many graduating before their playing career is over, Mack said:
"Obviously, we're really emphasizing academics. Having guys go to summer school really helps. What I'd like to do is double or triple the number (of graduates) playing next year." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors end their regular season tomorrow against Wisconsin. Linebacker Brashton Satele and offensive tackle Laupepa Letuli are seeking medical hardships that would allow them to play as sixth-year seniors in 2010."
About how it was sad that QB Greg Alexander had his Warrior career ended early due to injury, Mack said:
"I feel bad for him. He had a great season going (before suffering a season-ending knee injury). He was leading the country in throwing the football. He really worked hard to get himself there. It was a shame to see him end his (UH) career like that. I see good things in his future. He's had a positive attitude, which he's always had, and I think good things are going to happen to him." (HA)
About RB Kimo Alo, who graduates with his Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"He's a hard-working guy whom we were working into special teams. He got injured. He's a good teammate." (HA)
About wideout Craig Bell, who will graduate in Sociology in May, Mack said:
"Craig has worked hard, and he's overcome a lot of obstacles." (HA)
About DE Victor Clore, who graduates with his Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"Victor Clore is a great run player; tough, hard-nosed. He has a great attitude." (HA)
About center John Estes, who graduates with his Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"John Estes is the quiet leader of our team. When he talks, everybody listens. He led that offensive line from last summer through the season. His stability turned our team around. Starting 54 games (in a row) is amazing; how a guy can be tough enough to play offensive line and do what he's done. He's a high-draft pick, and an excellent student, a first-class person." (HA)
About DE Fetaiagogo Fonoti, who will graduate in Sociology in May, Mack said:
"He's a talented, big-play athlete. He has great speed. He's a competitor. He's worked hard. He played through injury the first part of the year, and he's getting back to where he was last year. He's obviously one of our best football players." (HA)
About RB Inoke Funaki, Psychology graduate student, Mack said:
"He's a team guy. That's why we could turn things around. He's a good leader. He's played on all special teams, and he still contributes on offense. He's like having a coach on the field. I have as much respect for him, probably, as any player I've coached." (HA)
About LG Ray Hisatake, who graduates with his Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"Ray has had an excellent year. Our offensive line has completely turned around, and he's one of the reasons for that. He's been very consistent, very physical. He's a vocal leader, and he's very
positive." (HA)
About RG Raphael Ieru, who graduates with his Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"Ralph has been consistent all year. If you wanted to have a Mr. Consistent, it would be Ralph." (HA)
About OL Dan Johnson, who graduates with his Speech/Communication degree later this month, Mack said:
"I've got a lot of respect for him. He's going to graduate. He's been on the scout team throughout his four-year career. He found his role. He's proud of it. He's as important as any other player on our team. And I respect the heck out of him." (HA)
About OLB R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, who will graduate with his Hawaiian studies degree in May, Mack said:
"I've seen him grow up in front of my eyes. He has developed through the weight room, through working out. He's very fast, physical, hard-nosed, excellent football player. He leads by example." (HA)
About LT Aaron Kia, who graduates with his Art degree later this month, Mack said:
"I think he has a chance at the next level because of his athleticism. He has the toughest position to play, at left tackle. He's really improved, and he's done a good job for us this year." (HA)
About OL Joey Lipp, who will graduate with his Studio Art degree in May, Mack said:
"He's a good guy who has helped us a lot." (HA)
About slotback Jon Medeiros, who graduates with this Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"He's a team guy. He's an excellent athlete. He's fast, quick. He was our fifth-best receiver with the guys we had this year. He didn't lose faith. I'm sure it was frustrating, but he knew his role and played his role. When he got his opportunity, just like a lot of guys have done this year, he came in and made the most of his opportunity. He's been a great player for us this year. He's made clutch plays, third-down plays." (HA)
About DT Chris Leatigaga, Sociology graduate student, Mack said:
"He got hurt in a scrimmage before the season. We thought he'd be out all season. He's back now, and he's at full speed. He went through all of the things he needed to do to get better. He's got great size, great feet, and he's worked hard. He's a good football player." (HA)
About Antwan "Tua" Mahaley, Public Administration graduate student, Mack said:
"Tua is an excellent athlete who was brought here as a receiver, but outgrew that. We tried to move him to defensive end, but he's just in between the positions. If we had a tight end in our package, he'd be our starting tight end. He's a good leader. He's been an inspiration to our team." (HA)
About DE Bo Montgomery, who will earn his Sociology degree in May, Mack said:
"He's been very valuable the last two years in our special teams." (HA)
About DE Viliami Nauahi, who will earn his Communications degree later this month, Mack said:
"He's a really good special-team player. Again, he's a real team leader." (HA)
About OL Daniel Otineru, who will earn his Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"He's a good guy. We're sorry he wasn't able to play this year because of a physical problem. He would have played because he's a good player and he has a good attitude." (HA)
About RB Jayson Rego, who will earn his Civil Engineering degree in May, Mack said:
"Jayson Rego is a hard-nosed football player. Last year he made a lot of good plays for us. This year, because we have a lot of depth at running back, he's contributed on special teams, where we've really improved. He's one of our best special-team players." (HA)
About LB Josh Rice, who will earn his Economics degree in May, Mack said:
"He's one of our most improved players, and one of our best special-team players." (HA)
About DT Rocky Savaiigaea, who will earn his Family Resources degree in May, Mack said:
"He's been outstanding both on and off the football field. He's a guy who has improved. He's a perfect defensive tackle. He's physical. He has a great attitude. He's one of our captains. Just an outstanding person." (HA)
About LB Blaze Soares, who will earn his Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"Blaze is our inspirational leader. He's one of the best linebackers I've been around, as far as being a hitter. He helped our team finish strong." (HA)
About DT Tuiaka Tufaga, Sociology graduate student, Mack said:
"For a defensive tackle, he's made more plays than tackles usually make because he's very active. He's strong, and plays hard. And he's a great person." (HA)
About RB Leon Wright-Jackson, who will earn his Sociology degree later this month, Mack said:
"He's finally having one of those years. He hasn't been injured. He's making it through, and he's played hurt a couple of times. He's done what we've asked of him. He's an outstanding person. He's having a good year. He's a total back. He can run, he can catch, and we ask him to block a lot." (HA)
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