Friday, May 28, 2010

Miami's head coach has no problem telling Davone Bess and RGM apart

About how he can tell Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen apart, Miami head coach Tony Sparano said:
"I haven't confused them yet. Bess has got muscles from all this offseason work. Grice still has to grow a few more muscles. When they're running routes, some of their mannerisms [are similar]." (Miami Herald)

"Bess has got muscles from all this offseason work right now, and Grice has still got to grow a few more muscles." (Palm Beach Post)


http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/28/1653612/miami-dolphins-phillip-merling.html?asset_id=1653176&asset_type=gallery

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thedailydolphin/2010/05/28/22-things-we-learned-about-the-dolphins-from-day-1-at-mini-camp/

Davone Bess explains why he won't sell his #15 to Brandon Marshall

SFSS = South Florida Sun-Sentinel


SFSS Note: "Bess told me today he has no plans to give up the number he took when he reached the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008. It doesn't matter that he'd never worn the number before — not in college or high school or anywhere else."


About why he won't sell his #15 to Brandon Marshall, Bess said:
"It's been a long journey, and I just feel like I had to start from ground zero with that number. It's just a lot deeper than what it seems to be. … For me to go through what I went through with that number, it speaks measures. … It meant I overcame a lot and I'm still trying to overcome more. I'm my own biggest critic. I'm just trying to get better and better and better." (SFSS)


SFSS Note: "Bess and a friend back in Hawaii, where he starred in college, are producing T-shirts with images of Bess, the Aloha and Sunshine states and, of course, the No. 15. Proceeds will benefit Bess's newly formed charity, which also will prominently feature the No. 15, although it's still in the name-selection process."


About telling Marshall that he won't give up #15, Bess said:
"There were no problems from the get-go. He was a man about the situation. I was a man about the situation. We sat there and we had a talk. I know it would mean a lot to him. It means a lot to me as well. We're teammates and we wanted to get past that stage and now we can focus on football and help each other." (SFSS)


About how he could have gotten $50k or more from Marshall for that number, Bess said:
"That's just me. I think that's a [sign] of my character, period. Everything isn't about money. Obviously whatever he offered me would have been great money. I could have definitely used it. But with me some things are deeper than just the materialistic things." (SFSS)


About how he might have given up his number last year, Bess said:
"I told him if he would have come here after last season, there's a possibility I would have offered it. "I felt like I was selling a part of me, and I just didn't want to go through that." (SFSS)


About the kids that already have "Bess 15" Dolphins jerseys, Bess said:
"That''s motivation, too." (SFSS)

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2010/05/miami-dolphins-davone-bess-isnt-giving-up-his-number.html

Sporting News picks UH to be the #107 football team in the country

HA Note: "We're told that folks there are all too familiar with UH and had the list been expanded all the way through 120, the Warriors would have likely checked in at No. 107. Ouch. Last year SN's crystal ball was remarkably on point with the Warriors' fortunes, picking them fifth in the WAC and ranking them 82nd nationally. UH finished tied for fifth in the conference. This year the thinking, they say, coming off a 6-7 finish in 2009 are "major concerns" about "both the offensive and defensive lines." Which is why SN says it is projecting the Warriors eighth in the conference and others shy away from picking them higher."


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100528/COLUMNISTS06/5280365/1142&template=UHSports

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Former Warrior players Kurt Milne and David Farmer launched a catering and food-delivery service

PBN = Pacific Business News


PBN Note: "Former University of Hawaii Warrior football players Kurt Milne and David Farmer have redirected their athletic energy into an equally exhilarating activity. Instead of running to the end zone, they are running food orders from local restaurants to their clients' doorsteps. On Feb. 8, the athletes launched Aloha 2 Go LLC, a catering and food-delivery service targeting busy professionals on the go. For a flat $8 fee, customers can get spaghetti from Auntie Pasto's or fish tacos from Wahoo's delivered straight to their door within the hour."


About how they new that their concept would work after doing a year of market research, even with Room Service in Paradise (opened in 1996) in the market, Farmer said:
"We saw something we knew worked, so rather than saying we don't have the experience, we just went out and gave ourselves an education. We had to actually go out and immerse ourselves in the industry. We had nothing to offer — no website, no menu guide and no money in the bank." (PBN)


Not afraid of the challenge of starting a new business, especially after they both walked on to UH and earned scholarships, Farmer said:
"We've been challenged plenty of times in our life. We received another education as a result of being a student athlete — work ethic, managing time, working out, working hard. Both of us earned scholarships — we weren't given them out the gate. That probably has more to do with our success [than anything]." (PBN)


PBN Note: "They were awarded a $66,000 loan from Hawaii National Bank and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration after being rejected by two larger banks. In their opening week, Milne and Farmer canvassed hundreds of offices within a half-mile radius of Bishop Street and all of Honolulu's major hospitals, handing out promotional flyers and coupons to professionals who often don't have the time to run out of the office for a one-hour lunch break."


About going after busy professionals who cannot leave their office for lunch, Milne said:
"We're selling convenience. We figured the demand of getting around town is getting harder and harder. What is a person's time worth?" (PBN)


PBN Note: "Marketing the convenience factor — particularly for office workers and medical professionals who would rather not deal with parking, traffic and commute time in downtown Honolulu — has been their primary strategy in convincing people to use the service. Their motto, "Why cook when you can just click?," also appeals to people who have had long days at work, sat in traffic and don't feel like cooking dinner."


About how they are marketing the convenience they provide, Farmer said:
"Lots of times the $8 delivery fee is worth their time if that means they can hang out at home with their family. It's not just a luxury or convenient service — that's what we're trying to brand ourselves." (PBN)


PBN Note: "Focusing their marketing efforts on mid- to higher-income clientele — including doctors, attorneys and other office workers — has proven successful. In just a few months, some have become regular customers with accounts on file, while others use the service to cater whole offices on special occasions."


About the appeal of the service, Maikiki resident Jason Nagamine said:
"If a person is sick or elderly and can't really go out all the time and doesn't want to cook at home, I think that's the main appeal. It's simpler." (PBN)


About how they explain to customers that there could be a delay if a restaurant has a long wait time, giving them the chance to cancel the order, Milne said:
"For the most part we're in constant communication with the customer." (PBN)


About how they have no hidden fees such as gas surcharges or increased menu prices, except a 15% tip tacked onto orders of $100 or more, Milne said:
"We really need to push value in this industry." (PBN)


PBN Note: "The business is advertised solely on Google, with the partners bidding on key words to ensure optimal placement on the website — a strategy that has kept advertising dollars to a minimum. They're averaging approximately 70 deliveries per week. A typical food order is about $43. While the partners run 80 percent of the deliveries themselves, they also contract five to seven drivers — or "mobile waiters" with restaurant experience — who work on commission and tips. The service currently is offered within a 10-ZIP code area from Honolulu International Airport to Hawaii Kai between 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They operate the call center out of a small warehouse at 1258 Kamaile St., behind Walmart near Ala Moana Center. The business hasn't come without challenges. The former telephone directory ad salesmen fumbled during their first week in business when their website, with 20 restaurants and more than 1,500 menu items, crashed and had to be rebuilt from scratch."


PBN Note: "They plan to pay off their loan within three years and run between 100 and 300 deliveries a day. They also would like to expand into grocery delivery and dinners with movie rentals."


http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2010/05/24/smallb1.html?b=1274673600^3394271

UH plans its QB reps for Fall Camp with Moniz back on the team

About how Moniz will be in the top group of QBs with Austin, Rausch and Graves, Mack said:
"(Moniz) is going to get reps with the top four guys and we're going to have to get that to three pretty quick. He missed spring, so we're going to have to see if that hurt him as a thrower. Three weeks before the game I want the No. 1 to get three-fourths of the reps and No. 2 will get one-fourth and the third guy will learn by osmosis." (HSB)


About how they will quickly pick their #1 and #2 QBs in camp so that they can prepare for the season, Rolo said:
"We can't let this thing drag out. It's time to win football games." (HSB)


About Ashley Lelie serving as a student manager this summer as he works on his degree, Mack said:
"He'll be such a great example to our players as a guy who went to the NFL and is coming back to get his degree." (HSB)


http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100527_Monizs_return_gives_Warriors_full_QB_contingent.html

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Quotes from the local papers 5/26/10 (Lelie is a student manager, Moniz rejoins team)

HA Note: "In a double return, quarterback Bryant Moniz has rejoined the Hawai'i football team and former Warrior receiver Ashley Lelie has agreed to serve as a student manager this coming season. Moniz, who started eight games last season, was placed on personal leave for the final three weeks of spring training, which ended April 30. UH head coach Greg McMackin said Moniz has resolved his situation, including issuing an apology to the team earlier this month, and has been reinstated to the active roster."


HA Note: "McMackin also confirmed that Lelie, who played for five National Football League teams during an eight-year career, will work as a student manager. The position will enable him to complete work on his bachelor's degree. Lelie left UH after his junior season, in which he caught 84 passes for a school-record 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2001. He also holds the UH single-season record of 142.8 receiving yards per game."


About how Lelie (who walked on to UH in 1998) was taken with the 19th pick in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft, the highest draft pick in UH history, Rolo (the starting QB in Lelie's final season) said:
"He really made himself into a great player." (HA)


Praising Lelie's work ethic, Rolo said:
"He always put in extra effort and hard work. I remember watching him run wind sprints to try to get faster, and then running around during practice. He's a good example of what it takes to get to the next level." (HA)


About the opening they have after Ron Lee resigned, Mack said that he's heard from sever:
"very good coaches." (HSB)


About how Mouse Davis will apply for the WR coach job, Mack said:
"He's a great one. He's taught us all about the run and shoot. He's an ageless guy." (HSB)


About the mandated 10-day application period before they can start decided who will get the job, Mack said:
"We're not in a great hurry. I promised the players we'll get the best coach out there. We have great receivers and they deserve a great coach. Whoever comes in has to fit into the culture and love it here. Understand the people here. … Everything." (HSB)

Ferd wrote: "A big reason for the change is the disparity in BCS money. The six automatic qualifying conferences received, on average, $19.2 million this past season. The non-qualifiers got an average of $4.8 million. That kind of money pays for a lot of facilities upgrades, coaching salaries and more. Keep that up over a couple of decades and you understand how the cash-rich schools have managed to pull away."

My note: I normally agree with Ferd's takes, but this time I think that he COMPLETELY misses the real problem by being focused on BCS bowl money. The difference between BCS money comes out to a little more than $1 million per school according to his numbers, which does not even account for the difference in football coaching salaries...so basically NONE of that money affects the softball programs. If you look at the difference in TV money, you'd see that the Big 10 brought in $242 million while the WAC got $4 million...*that* makes the difference in BCS money look like NOTHING.


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100526/SPORTS0201/5260372&template=UHsports

http://blogs.starbulletin.com/uhsportsextra/mcmackin-on-the-air/

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100526/COLUMNISTS06/5260369/1142&template=UHSports

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Ron Lee resigns from UH, Mouse Davis expected to replace him

About resigning from UH, Ron Lee said:
"It's time to get out, relax." (HA)

"The big thing is I'm happy with the decision and I still think the world of (head coach Greg McMackin), the staff and the players. It's a good time for me to go. I feel good about it, but I'm going to miss the players." (HSB)


About how his decision was not based on being demoted from offensive coordinator to assistant offensive coordinator earlier this year or giving up the play-calling duties after the first game last season, Ron Lee said:
"Nothing to do with that." (HA)


Ron Lee said that the adjustment was what:
"I went through last year, kind of. t's time for me to move on." (HA)


About how he will explore some "options", Ron Lee said:
"I'm going to coach again. I'm definitely going to coach." (HA)


About how he will apply for the job opening at UH, Mouse Davis said:
"Absolutely, no question." (HA)


HA Note: "Davis' teams at Portland State set several passing records in the 1970s. Davis and his top pupil, Jones, coached together in the pros. When Davis and Jones were in the U.S. Football League, they were contacted by Lee, who wanted to learn about the intricacies of the run-and-shoot offense — a four-wide passing attack that runs plays based on the particular defensive coverage. Lee successfully implemented the run-and-shoot to win titles at Kaiser High and Saint
Louis School."


About hiring Ron Lee after he accepted the UH coaching job in December 1998, JJ said:
"We've had a connection for a long time. Ron has always been a success wherever he's been. I wanted him on my staff. Ron did a great job with the receivers." (HA)


HA Note: "Of the receivers Lee has coached, 17 broke school records. Ashley Lelie was a first-round draft pick in 2002, and Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins are on the Miami Dolphins' roster. When McMackin was hired as Jones' successor in 2008, he promoted Lee to offensive
coordinator."


Wishing Ron Lee well, Mack said:
"We've known each other for a long time. He's a very good friend. He's a legend in Hawai'i, and he's done a great job here. We wish him well." (HA)


About how Ron Lee told him before Spring Practice that he wanted to leave UH, Mack said:
"Ron Lee is a legend in Hawaii. Ron talked to me prior to spring ball about his wish to retire. I asked him to go through spring ball and told him I would support his decision. Ron and I have been friends for many years. He is a great person who has made an outstanding contribution to football, the University of Hawaii and in the entire state." (HSB)


HA Note: "Lee actually had planned to announce his retirement in February. The assistant coaches are on one-year contracts that expire each March. But McMackin asked Lee to remain on staff through at least spring training, which ended April 30. Lee, who is credited with 22 years of employment in the state system, decided to change his exit from "retirement" to "resignation." "


About leaving UH, Ron Lee said:
"It's not an easy decision. I'll miss the players, the relationships. That's definitely something I'll miss." (HA)


About how this will be the first season in 42 years that he isn't going to coach, Ron Lee said:
"I've coached every year since 1968. This is the first year I wouldn't coach." (HA)


HA Note: "In the meantime, Lee will continue to serve as manager for the Outrigger Hotels' Main Showroom. He also owns several restaurants."


Ferd wrote: For all the explosiveness of some of his offenses, football coach Ron Lee's public persona has for decades been the quiet and understated opposite. Even when his units were putting up big scores at Kaiser High, Saint Louis School and the University of Hawai'i, Lee avoided the limelight like a third-and-long situation. "Talk to the kids," he'd invariably say, "they made all the plays." So, maybe we shouldn't be surprised that his departure from UH after 11 years came with a make-no-waves grace to it. But, if we want to see the total picture, look at not only what is being said but what isn't."


Ferd Wrote: "But, between the lines, note that the 66-year-old Lee is resigning, not stepping into retirement. Understand that he says he plans to coach again, apparently this season. Possibly on the college level. Lee was one of the first assistants June Jones signed on in 1998 and his departure comes as the last remaining offensive member of that coaching staff."


About replacing Ron Lee, Mack said
"I just want to get a good person, a coach who's really top-notch and knows our offense." (HSB)


About all the excellent WRs that Ron Lee coached at UH, Rolo said:
"A lot of people would love to have the amount of miles his guys covered. He's done more than a lot of guys can dream of as far as receiver production." (HSB)


Praising Rolo, Ron Lee said:
"Rolo's got some great ideas. I'm pulling for them and I'll stay in touch." (HSB)


About how he learned under his brother Ron, Cal Lee said:
"I thought learning under his tutelage was one of the best things that could have happened to me. It's going to be different. I'm going to miss him and I think the players will, too. He has that rapport with the kids." (HSB)


HSB Note: "Lee's departure will leave associate head coach Rich Miano (secondary) as the lone assistant remaining from the 1999 staff still working with the same position group. Miano was one of Lee's earliest recruits. Then the head coach at Kaiser, he helped convince Miano, a member of the diving team, to try out for football. That decision eventually led to Miano's standout career at UH and an 11-year run in the NFL."


Praising Ron Lee, Rich Miano said:
"I love the guy. He's not that much older than me, but I think of him as a fatherly figure in terms of how I learned so much from him about the islands and how to treat people." (HSB)


HSB Note: "It's no surprise that Hawaii receivers coach and former offensive coordinator Ron Lee is retiring. This was in the works for some time; when we interviewed Lee and head coach Greg McMackin before spring practice, neither would confirm that the 11-year assistant would be on board in the fall."


HSB Note: "After nine years as receivers coach for June Jones, Lee became McMackin's offensive coordinator. But while nearly all of the offensive starters from the Sugar Bowl team were gone in 2008, Lee's first season as OC, expectations remained sky high. Lee was forced into some conservative play-calling by the strategic situation (a good defense and an inexperienced offense featuring a quarterback carousel), and he was criticized for it. Then, last year. One game into the season Lee suggested to McMackin that Nick Rolovich, the second-year quarterbacks coach, be given the play-calling duties. And McMackin took him up on it, leaving Lee to focus on the receivers. Several people close to what happened say a difference of opinion during the heat of battle led to Lee's suggestion. And that's why the quarterbacks coach, not the offensive coordinator, called the plays last fall. It led to Rolovich being named offensive coordinator this offseason. Lee says he'll take the fall off, focusing on his job as general manager of what most of us locals and thousands of tourists know as the Outrigger Showroom, home of the Society of Seven. He's worked in Waikiki for as long as he's coached, since the early '70s."


Asked if he will be hired by UH, Mouse Davis said:
"I would say that is a very strong possibility." (HSB)

"I think there's a strong possibility, there's some real positives. As you know, Hawaii is one of those places you like to get to." (HSB)

"And, yes, there is the experience level question." (HSB)

HSB Note: "I ask his age. Davis says 183. It's really just 77, which makes him 11 years older than Lee. What to make of that, I'm not quite sure."


HSB Note: "I have to believe the position is his for the taking, especially since it would be difficult to find other good candidates this close to the start of the season."


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100525/SPORTS0201/5250363&template=UHSports/Warriors+assistant+Ron+Lee+steps+down

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100525/COLUMNISTS06/5250352/Potent+offense+had+quiet+leader

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100525_Ron_Lee_Time_was_right_to_retire.html

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100525_UH_will_miss_Ron_Lee_may_bring_back_Mouse.html

http://blogs.starbulletin.com/quickreads/?p=869

Monday, May 24, 2010

Ron Lee resigns from the Warrior coaching staff

HA Note: "Lee said he actually made his decision in February, but was asked to remain on the staff through spring practice, which concluded April 30. Lee said he has some "options,"and expects to still continue coaching in the future."


Ron Lee said that after 9 years under JJ and 2 years as Mack's offensive coordinator:
"it was time to move on. I'm going to miss it." (HA)


Saying that his resignation is not because he was demoted from offensive coordinator and gave up play-calling duties early last season, Ron Lee said:
"Nothing to do with that." (HA)


Ron said that the adjustment was what:
"I went through last year, kind of." (HA)


HA Note: "Lee also has a lengthy resume as a Hawaii high school coach. He coached at Kalani and later led Kaiser High School to its only football title in 1979. He also was offensive coordinator at Saint Louis from 1992 to 1998, helping his younger brother Cal build a football dynasty with the Crusaders."


HSB Note: "Hawaii assistant offensive coordinator Ron Lee has announced his resignation effective June 15. Lee coached the Warriors receivers for 11 years and spent the last two as offensive coordinator."

About resigning from UH, Ron Lee said:
"I appreciated my time at the University of Hawaii. It was a lot of fun but it's time to move on. What I'll miss the most are the players and the relationships and friendships I've built with them. I wish all the players and my fellow coaches the best of luck." (HSB)


Praising Ron Lee, Mack said:
"Ron Lee is a legend in Hawaii. Ron talked to me prior to spring ball about his wish to retire. I asked him to go through spring ball and told him I would support his decision. Ron and I have been friends for many years. He is a great person who has made an outstanding contribution to football, the University of Hawaii and in the entire state. We thank him for his years of dedication and wish him well. We will miss him." (HSB)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Comparison of TV dollars between conferences

From publicly available reports, this is what I came up with for how much each school gets from their conference TV deals

Big 10: $22 million per year
SEC: $17.1 million per year
ACC: $12.9 million per year
Big 12: Varies between $7 million and $12 million per year
MWC: $1.3 million per year
C-USA: $1 million per year
WAC: $325k per year (UH is getting $75k more this year for the "inconvenience" of playing a game on a Thursday on ESPN)

Notre Dame reported gets $9 million per year after their latest extension with NBC.

The difference between the BCS bowl money from the AQ conferences and what UH gets is *less* than $1 million per year. When UH made the Sugar Bowl, they made millions more in BCS money than what Georgia got.

Due to how the WAC now distributes BCS money (taking away $3 million to split up among the conference teams), if BSU or another WAC team makes a BCS bowl this year, UH could actually get about the *same* amount of BCS money that Texas and Florida gets.

So, BCS bowl money is NOT the difference between UH and the rest of the big-budget teams. Regular-season TV money is.

UH hopes to raise $600k with the Football Parking Auction

HA Note: "The auction of what is expected to be approximately 1,700 stalls — including 800 in the coveted "inner circle" on the mauka side of the stadium — will be open to most season-ticket holders and is set to start at 8 a.m. June 7 and continue until June 11 or the supply of passes is exhausted, UH said. Bidding will start at $400 for the inner circle, $350 for the Koa lot and $300 for the Kamehameha Highway lot and decrease by $50 per day until the allotment is sold."


HA Note: "UH athletic director Jim Donovan said that "dozens, if not hundreds, of households were not able to get parking passes" last year as demand overwhelmed supply. He said the online method will provide "transparency" and allow bidders to know instantly whether or not they have secured one. The stadium has approximately 8,000 stalls, of which UH controls passes for about 2,900. And there are 5,900 season ticket accounts, Donovan said. The stadium holds on to about 5,000 stalls for game-day public parking at $5 per game."


HA Note: "Last year, UH said, it made approximately $325,000 from stadium parking passes and hopes to realize as much as $600,000 this year, depending on what price level they sell at. UH said the proceeds will benefit the Koa Anuenue Scholarship Fund and are tax deductible."


About complaints about the way that season-ticket holders had to mail in donation checks and just hope that they donated enough to receive a parking pass, JD said:
"(One of the things we heard in feedback was) 'This is not a transparent process. We don't know what's going on. We either get a pass mailed to us or we don't.' That's why we put in this reverse-auction system. ... After we got the complaints last year, the big thing from my standpoint was, let's sit back and do something dynamically different that makes things better for the customer, for us, for revenue, and be fair and transparent. We think we've come up with it." (HSB)


HSB Note: "Donovan championed the up-to-the-second pass-supply tracker feature on the new branch of www.hawaiiathletics.com, so fans know exactly how many remain. Demand should still exceed supply, but he pointed out fans won't be left wondering into mid-August if they got a pass, like last year. Once their bid is processed this year, the sale is instant."


About how their season ticket customers will know if they get the passes before they are required to renew their tickets, JD said:
"The customers themselves decide whether or not they want to donate a certain amount to get a pass. The second thing we did was we moved the renewal date back (deadline of June 14) for season tickets, until after we anticipate this auction to be complete. So they'll know whether they have a parking pass before they're required to renew their season tickets." (HSB)


HSB Note: "Eighty percent of the pass sales goes toward the Ahahui Koa Anuenue Scholarship Fund and is tax-deductible, Donovan said."


http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100522/NEWS01/5220335/UH+may+score+big+bucks+in+stadium+parking+auction

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100522_Hawaii_comes_up_with_new_parking_plan.html

Friday, May 21, 2010

Pisa Tinoisamoa feels that he has unfinished business with the Chicago Bears

About being motivated to re-sign with the Bears after his injury-shortened season during his first season in Chicago, Pisa said:
"I felt like there was a lot of unfinished business. I felt like I left a lot of stuff on the table that I didn't get to eat and clean up." (ESPN)


About how he tested the free agent market even after the Bears told him they wanted him back despite how he only played in 2 games last season, Pisa said:
"There were a couple of other teams [that expressed interest] but I knew that I wanted to come back. It was only a matter if they wanted to have me back, so I was very honored after the little I played, the Bears wanted me back. I was pretty pumped." (ESPN)


About how Nick Roach now seems to have the best shot at the starting strong side LB spot, Pisa said:
"It might be kind of reversed. Last year, although Roach was the starter, people thought I would be given the first crack at the starting job. But now, it's kind of reversed. Nick is a very good player and I like him a lot. But that's not going to keep me from competing and doing what I need to do. I still consider myself a starter, so I think this will be a healthy battle that's going to make this team better." (ESPN)


ESPN Note: "Still working his way back from a knee injury, Tinoisamoa only participated in one practice Friday, while Roach was essentially sidelined for the entire day with muscle tightness."


http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4664907/tinoisamoa-has-unfinished-business-in-chicago

Greg Salas might play safety in passing situations this season

About how they are considering using All-WAC receiver Salas at safety in passing situations, Mack said:
"If it's a third-down (and long) situation I wouldn't hesitate to put him in, read the quarterback's eyes and make a play on the ball." (HSB)


HSB Note: "Salas played a few downs on defense last season when the Warriors were guarding against a long pass at the end of a half. McMackin said Salas' role would be limited to where it wouldn't "take away from what he does at receiver." "

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100521_Double_duty_for_Salas.html

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Davone Bess has been working to help those in foster care achieve more

CBS4 = CBS4.com


CBS4: "Current Miami Dolphin player Davone Bess and former Fin Jeff Dellenbach know what it's like to be part of a team. So they've joined forces with non-profit programs like Remember The Children and HANDY to help those in foster care achieve more."


About the importance of foster care, Davone Bess said:
"For some of these kids, they don't have any one." (CBS4)


CBS4 Note: "Bess and Dellenbach both back up their words with actions by taking part in mentoring along with athletic and afterschool programs; they say they can see the results. "We assist them in becoming that individual that if they had parents, they would have become" said Brown. "Our success rate is that a lot of young people have excelled beyond the 90th percentile in terms of education, transitioning well into their own homes and just developing as an individual to become a better part of our community. Ninety eight percent of our young people graduate from high school." "

http://cbs4.com/neighbors/handy.Davone.Bess.2.1703553.html

Feature article on Ryan Mouton's battle for the starting CB spot with the Titans

TR = Titans radio


TR Note: "Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher sent a clear message to the cornerbacks as they began Organized Team Activities. The starting spot opposite Cortland Finnegan was wide open and the battle started immediately. The Titans have put together a group of veterans and youth to create the training camp competition the defensive staff wanted. The team re-signed Rod Hood and brought in five-year veteran Tye Hill during free agency. Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton come off their rookie seasons, and Tennessee used a fourth round pick on UCLA's Alterraun Verner in this past April's draft."


About how they won't post an official depth chart until August at the earliest, Jeff Fisher said:
''We're going to have to take advantage of the preseason reps. I don't think it's going to a case where we make a decision right away. We'll probably wait, but if someone really steps out and shows us, then maybe middle of the preseason or the last game, you make that decision.'' (TR)


TR Note: "McCourty has continued to take the first-team reps during April and May mini-camp, but coaches have said Mouton has the potential needed to become a starter in the league. Confidence seemed to be the biggest issue with the Houston native after he began his rookie season with a handful of sub-par games, but Mouton said a full offseason to reflect on 2009 performances has allowed him to mature on the field."


About what he needs to do to earn the starting CB job, Ryan Mouton said:
''I just have to prove that I'm accountable. Prove that my other teammates can trust me and prove that I can get the job done. You come out and compete every day. Try to get better and let the rest handle itself. You know [the opportunity] is there. You have to just go out and do what you have to do. You have to take the reps that you get and just run with it.'' (TR)


About taking most of the starting CB reps, McCourty said:
''It's almost like encouragement to keep doing what you're doing. Continue to be here working out, getting better. You can't worry too much about where you're at [in the practice rotation] because the season is so far away.' 'The main thing that I'm keeping in my mind is that I will continue to work because there are about four or five guys on this team that are capable of being that starter. You've really got to work to try and become the guy.'' (TR)


Happy with how their CBs are competing for the starting spot, Fisher said:
''It's a good group. The draft choice can play out there as well, he showed some really good things...We're just rotating and giving them opportunities and it's very competitive.'' (TR)


http://www.titansradio.com/Article.asp?id=1811284&spid=27572

Feature article on Adrian Klemm

BG = Boston Globe


BG Note: "Believe it or not, that's the first draft pick of the Bill Belichick Era in New England. The Patriots took him with the 46th pick in the 2000 Draft (the first-rounder went to the Jets for Belichick himself ... Which worked out), and this Adrian Klemm character won three Super Bowl rings as a Patriots."


BG Note: "Turns out, he's caught on with his old college coach, June Jones, at SMU, where he's now serving as offensive line coach."


About how his 3 Super Bowl rings helps with recruiting, Adrian Klemm said:
"The Super Bowl rings definitely open some doors. The kids don't always know, but the coaches who follow football know my background. It shouldn't be like this, but what I say carries more weight. They perceive me to know a little more. It's an advantage when I recruit." (BG)


http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2010/05/do_you_remember.html

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Aaron Kia signed a contract with the NY Jets

After signing the contract, Aaron Kia chanted:
"J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets." (HA)


About getting the contract after a successful tryout yesterday morning, Kia said:
"It was such a relief.I was super happy. I was stoked." (HA)


HA Note: "It was a proud ascent for Kia, who was not selected in last month's National Football League draft. Two weeks ago, he auditioned with the San Francisco 49ers. But that tryout did not result in a contract offer. Soon after that three-day workout with 49ers, he was invited to yesterday's one-day tryout with the Jets. Kia prepared by training with his brother, UCLA offensive lineman Micah Kia, and former Bruin defensive lineman Jerzy Siewierski. Yesterday's tryout was held at the Jets' training facility in Florham Park, N.J. Five free-agent offensive linemen, including Kia, worked out at one station. The rest of the Jets were in another area participating in organized team activities (OTA)."


About the tryout, Kia said:
"It was standard O-line drills — run-blocking, hip work, all of that kind of stuff. It was mostly technical." (HA)


HA Note: "After the workout, two linemen were excused. Kia and the remaining two linemen then were taken to a medical facility for physical examinations. After that, Kia was summoned to another room, where he was offered a one-year contract. He then signed it."


About how he was nervous about the tryout, Kia said:
"I was kind of nervous about the tryout, because Hawai'i mostly passes, and NFL teams like to run and pass. But I gave it my best shot, and I'm glad I had the opportunity." (HA)


HA note: "Kia started all 13 UH games at left tackle last season. He competed at guard and center during the workout with the 49ers. But he was told that he would be used mostly as a left tackle with the Jets. D'Brickashaw Ferguson is the Jets' starting left tackle, and Wayne Hunter, a former Warrior, is the top backup at tackle and guard."


About how he will try to be versatile, Kia said:
"I'm going to try to be versatile. I'm not going to subject myself to one position. I'll do whatever they want me to do." (HA)


HA Note: "Linebacker Brashton Satele, also a former Warrior, is on the Jets' roster."


http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100518/SPORTS04/5180340/sportsfront/Kia+signs+one-year+contract+with+Jets

A lot of high schools are adopting UH's "H" logo without permission

HA Note: "In watching video of a potential recruit, Southern Methodist University football coach June Jones said he and an assistant coach did an immediate double take. There, on the side of a helmet, was the kapa "H" logo he had helped bring to the University of Hawai'i as head coach in 2000."


About seeing recruits wearing uniforms with the "H" logo he helped bring to UH, June Jones said:
"It is a great logo and (designer) Kurt Osaki did a good job designing it for (UH). I kinda knew it would be popular, but ..." (HA)


HA Note: "In addition to the Houston-area Hightower High that UH said it is contacting about trademark infringement, there have been sightings in at least three other states to date. For example, Hoxie (Ark.) High has an "H" posted on its website. And an Advertiser reader traveling in Utah snapped a picture of an "H" sweatshirt with "Hillcrest" on it at a Target store in Midvale, Utah."


About having their logo being used all around the country, UH associate athletic director John McNamara said:
"Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but not when it comes to trademark infringement." (HA)

"Due to the success and exposure our teams have garnered, the UH Athletics' logo has become a nationally recognized brand. Kurt Osaki did a wonderful job when he developed the 'H' mark and it's not surprising that other groups have decided to adopt it." (HA)

"I don't think there's any malice or deceit intended in these situations. These groups are just unfamiliar with licensing procedures and trademark laws. As we become aware of these situations, our licensing office will work with these groups to educate them and ensure that proper procedures are followed going forward." (HA)


HA note: "For the fiscal year 2008-09, UH said "eight cases of infringement pertaining to the 'H' logo" were pursued. "Data for 2009-10 is still being compiled," a spokeswoman said."

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100518/SPORTS02/5180349&template=UHsports

Sunday, May 16, 2010

High School in Texas is using UH's logo without authorization

HA Note: "It was love at first sight: the University of Hawai'i's distinctive green, silver and black kapa "H" logo and Hightower High School, a Texas football power, near Houston."


About adopting UH's logo, which has "looked great on your uniforms" for 2 seasons, head football coach Barry Abercrombie:
"Our school colors are green, silver, and black, and we are the Hightower Hurricanes, so a logo similar to the Hawai'i 'H' seemed like a good idea." (HA)


HA Note: "Problem is, "use of the logo was not authorized," according to a UH spokeswoman. UH said it has registered the "H" and requires use of the trademarks be approved by its collegiate licensing office."


Jeanne Mariani-Belding, Strategic Communications & Community Engagement Specialist at UH, said:
"our licensing agent will contact Hightower and notify them of the infringement. We will likely work out an agreement in which Hightower recognizes the university's legal ownership of the logo and pays us a nominal licensing fee." (HA)


Mariani-Belding added that:
"they will also be required to agree to use our licensees if they produce any future products with our logo on it, and any future use has to be in accordance with our licensing policies." (HA)


About using UH's logo, Abercrombie said he's:
"not sure, exactly, who came up with the idea for us to use the logo." (HA)


Abercrombie added:
"we would have gone to it a year or two sooner, but we thought that we might be violating some kind of copyright infringement." (HA)


However, Abercrombie said that:
"the company that does our embroidery and athletic wear assured us that were 'OK' so we went to it." (HA)


HA Note: "The issue came to light when a UH fan on the Mainland e-mailed photos of the Hurricanes' uniforms to Hawai'i noting the strong resemblance . E-mails to Hightower's principal and assistant principal seeking comment were not returned.

The "H" has been UH's brand going on 11 football seasons since then-football coach June Jones prompted an overhaul for the 2000-'01 school year. Sales of athletic logo merchandise, much of it adorned with the "H", totaled about $1 million in UH's Sugar Bowl season, officials have said.

The Warriors' success helped earn an eight-year contract with Under Armour Inc. in 2008 as its exclusive provider of football uniforms, shoes, coaches shirts and other items. From that deal, UH is guaranteed $135,000 this year in rights fees plus product allowances, marketing support and other extras collectively valued at upwards of $465,000, according to the contract."


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100516/SPORTS0201/5160380&template=UHsports

R. J. Kiesel-Kauhane tried out for the United Football League yesterday

MB = Modesto Bee

MB Note: "They came to Natomas High School on Saturday and paid $60 for a chance to realize an improbable dream. Some were former National Football League players, some had played in college, and some only in high school. There were 260 of them, pectorals and biceps bulging out of identical "Sacramento Mountain Lions" T-shirts, all sweating for a spot on Sacramento's newest professional sports team."

MB Note: "The chances are slim: Of the 800-plus men who are expected to try out, 30 will make the team roster. And "making it" means all the NFL's blood and sweat divorced from the money and fame – far fewer fans and a starting salary of $40,000 compared with the NFL's $325,000 minimum."

MB Note: "Linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane flew from Hawaii while two aunts, whose combined weight would not have added up to his, looked on in sun hats. Kiesel-Kauhane's uncle became paralyzed in the 1980s after a college football injury."

About how his Uncle encouraged him to fulfill his NFL dreams, RJ said:
"His dream was to play in the NFL and he encouraged me to fulfill his dream." (MB)

http://www.modbee.com/2010/05/16/1168687/hundreds-try-out-for-sacramentos.html

Friday, May 14, 2010

Feature on Ryan Mouton and the battle at CB with the Titans

TN = The Tennesseean


TN Note: "Ryan Mouton has his eyes on the prize — starting cornerback for the Titans — but he has to prove he's willing to fight for it. That's because the coaches can't contain their enthusiasm about Jason McCourty, who's doing everything right. The 2009 draft picks are part of a six-man battle to replace Nick Harper, who was not re-signed, on the side opposite former All-Pro Cortland Finnegan."


About the 6-man competition for their open starting CB spot, Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil said:
"Right now it is a completely open position. … No one is ahead of anybody. You hope that somebody steps up and says, 'I'm going to be that guy. I am going to be someone who can be trusted, and I am a starting cornerback in the NFL.' He has to be someone his teammates can trust as well.'' (TN)


TN Note: "McCourty might be the dark horse — he was a sixth-round pick, while Mouton was a third-rounder. The Titans also signed veterans Rod Hood and Tye Hill, a former first-round pick, and last month drafted UCLA's Alterraun Verner in the fourth round. Free agent Jamar Love has put himself in the mix as well, Cecil said. For now, however, McCourty is running with the first team, a reward for a great offseason."


About being with the first team now, McCourty said:
"The offseason is about trying to get better each day. So I am not really worried about the spot and what is going on with it, who is in the front or the back right now. … I think each one of us wants to show we are the guy that can get it done.'' (TN)


TN Note: "Mouton and McCourty were thrown into the fire last season when Harper and Finnegan were injured, and the results weren't always pretty. For instance: They started at New England and saw Tom Brady throw for 380 yards and six touchdowns in a 59-0 stomping."


About his struggles last year at CB and returner (he had a lot of problems as returner in the Jets game), Ryan Mouton said:
"We had to go through the struggles. Now we've learned a lot. I lost confidence, I can't lie. After that Jets game, that was a big blow, especially as a rookie. That held me down for a little while. But I have the utmost confidence in myself right now." (TN)


TN Note: "Mouton already has needed a little jolt, however. He missed part of the team's voluntary conditioning program earlier this offseason, but said some of his absences had to do with complications from being sickle cell trait positive. It's not as serious as sickle cell disease, but he did experience blood clotting during a visit to Colorado and underwent a number of tests. High altitude was at fault, and he's fine now, he said. Yet Mouton admitted he didn't take his job as seriously as he should have until a reminder from Cecil."


About how he had to tell Mouton to work harder, Cecil said:
"I told him, basically, you need to step up. We drafted him in the third round last year. … We handpicked him. Our hope is that he'll step up and be that guy.'' (TN)


About how he's been working hard ever since that talk with Cecil, Mouton said:
"Since then I have been here every day and I want to show people that I am accountable, and I want to progress every day.'' (TN)


About their CB options, safety Chris Hope said:
"They can run, are physical. I don't feel like there's anybody they put out there that I'll be afraid or less confident in.'' (TN)


http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100514/SPORTS01/5140361/2080/SPORTS

Thursday, May 13, 2010

UH might auction the parking passes at Aloha Stadium to raise money

HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i is considering an online reverse auction to decide who gets the final 800 — or less — Aloha Stadium parking passes from the school's allotment for the upcoming football season. A person who said he has been briefed on the proposal said the auction might start at $400 and move downward in $50 increments until the number of available passes is exhausted."


HA Note: "Donovan said he would comment when instructions were mailed to season-ticket holders on May 21. The auction is expected to begin June 7. Last year UH had approximately 2,900 parking passes of which all but nearly 800 went to purchasers of 'Ahahui Koa Ānuenue packages. The remainder were put on sale to season-ticket holders whose donations or premiums met certain thresholds but were shortly exhausted by the heavy demand. That prompted complaints from hopeful purchasers whose checks had to be returned."


Unhappy with the way that the auction is structured, a UH season ticket holder said:
"It isn't the money that bothers me so much, it is the way UH has handled it. You'd think the person paying the premium would have greater consideration than someone buying one (season ticket) for the first time." (HA)


HA Note: "UH has approximately 7,000 season-ticket holders who account for more than 21,000 tickets. Aloha Stadium has approximately 8,000 parking stalls, about 2,900 of which UH controlled last season. UH is not expected to be able to secure more stalls this season."


HA Note: "A postcard sent to season-ticket holders recently said the extension of season-ticket sales "... will allow for the allocation of 2010 football parking passes prior to the renewal of tickets." In an H-mail sent to fans yesterday, UH said, "The football season ticket renewal deadline has been extended to Monday, June 14. The Stan Sheriff Center Box Office will be closed the week of May 17-21. It will re-open Monday, May 24, at 8:00 a.m. Renewals for UH football or the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl may still be mailed, faxed or completed online via www.etickethawaii.com during the closure." "


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100513/SPORTS0201/5130367&template=UHsports

The Associated Students of UH are strongly opposed to the Athletic Fee

HA Note: "The Associated Students of the University of Hawai'i remains "strongly opposed" to the proposed $50 per semester student athletic fee, incoming president Andrew Itsuno said yesterday. After more than a year of discussion and rewriting of proposals by the athletic department, University of Hawai'i-Mānoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw notified students she is "recommending a student athletic fee to the UH Board of Regents." In a campuswide e-mail to students Sunday, Hinshaw said, "although this is a difficult decision, I believe that it is time to move forward on this fee." She said she is recommending the latest proposal because the athletic department has "improved oversight and tangible benefits for students.""


About how UH's students are opposed to the fee, incoming President Andrew Itsuno said:
"There is no student support for it. 77% of the students that responded to the ASUH survey opposed the fee. The Athletic Department refused numerous requests by ASUH to conduct their own survey on the student body." (HA)


About how the proposed fee increased suddenly without any justification, Itsuno said:
"We oppose the fee because there is no transparency, the Athletic Department refuses to provide us with a budget to justify the fee. When they tried to pass the fee through the Student Activities and Program Fee Board, which the board failed to pass, they said that $37.50 would be enough. In a span of a few months the fee proposed is now $50. How is the number justified? Why was the fee raised? Also, how has the Athletic Department been paying its annual deficits?" (HA)


About how the benefits mentioned in the proposal have an uncertain value to the students, Itsuno said:
"We oppose the fee because of the lack of research on the benefits it will have for the students. For example, in the proposal, athletics will hold a free concert for the students. Students already pay a fee to the Campus Center to hold free concerts. Why should students be taxed twice for the same benefit?" (HA)


HA Note: "Hinshaw said in her e-mail to the students that approximately $100,000 from the fee will be used to support a variety of activities for students and, in addition, the athletic department will host a free concert for students."


About the importance of the Athletic Fee, Hinshaw said:
"The projected $2 million raised annually by this fee will clearly strengthen our UH athletic program's ability to provide successful experiences for all our student-athletes, specifically through scholarships, travel, materials and supplies and other expenses directly beneficial to student-athletes. This support is critically important in the area of gender equity because most of our Wahine sports programs — our terrific softball program, for example — need such support to thrive since such sports generate limited income." (HA)


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100513/SPORTS02/5130376&template=UHsports

Monday, May 10, 2010

Davone Bess spoke with middle-school students as part of the "Do the Wright Thing Challenge"

PBP = Palm Beach Post


PBP Note: "When Dolphins receiver Davone Bess talked to nearly 200 middle-school students from Palm Beach County about avoiding violence in their lives, he had a horrific tale from his own childhood to relate. When Bess was 10, he was at a family party in his hometown of Oakland when he witnessed the murder of his uncle."


About seeing his Uncle murdered, Bess said:
"I remember it vividly. My dad was throwing my uncle a big barbecue at my grandmother's house and a gunman came out of nowhere and shot him in the chest a couple of times. I remember my uncle falling to the ground, gagging, spitting up blood, gasping for air. That's when my dad came and grabbed my brother and I and we all started running." (PBP)


About trying to learn from the tragedy, Bess said:
"It's something that, when you're sitting at home by yourself, you think about it all the time. It puts you in the mindset of others, makes you ask what you can do to help people who want to do something to someone. What can I do to make this person change his mind, to make a difference?" (PBP)


PBP Note: "Bess, who caught more passes (130) in his first two seasons than any receiver in Dolphins history, received a warm reception from the students, who represented 18 middle schools. The students on hand were finalists in the "Do the Write Thing Challenge," which invited them to write essays describing their experiences with violence and bullying."


Bess said that he wanted to let the students know:
"there's another way out. You're talking with someone who's been on both sides of the ropes, and the other side is really, really ugly. I grew up in a hostile environment, and for me to come out the way I did says a lot." (PBP)


PBP Note: "After accepting a football scholarship to Oregon State, he allowed a friend to put stolen items in his car, was caught and served 15 months in a juvenile facility. Oregon State rescinded the scholarship.

Then he caught a break. A graduate assistant with the University of Hawaii knew Bess' high school coach and encouraged Rainbows coach June Jones to watch Bess work out after his release.

Jones obviously was impressed."


About UH offering him a scholarship, Bess said:
"Next thing I know they offered me a scholarship and I never looked back." (PBP)


PBP Note: "Passed over in the 2008 NFL Draft, Bess signed with Miami as a free agent and finished his rookie season with 54 receptions, two fewer than former first-round pick Ted Ginn Jr. Last year, Bess had a team-high 76 catches, the most by any Dolphins receiver since Chris Chambers caught 82 in 2005."


Happy that they acquired #1 receiver Brandon Marshall, Bess said:
"Any time you get a player of his caliber to be part of your team, you have to be excited. He's going to make everybody better." (PBP)


About how he's not sure about his role this season, Bess said:
"That's the thing about this coaching staff. We just do what we're asked, and the rest will take care of itself." (PBP)

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/dolphins/miami-dolphins-receiver-davone-bess-talks-to-students-680729.html

Davone Bess is excited to have Brandon Marshall on the Dolphins

PBP = Palm Beach Post


PBP Note: "Caught up with wide receiver Davone Bess at the "Do the Right Thing Challenge" luncheon for Palm Beach County middle-school students at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach Monday and asked what he's hearing about his role this season now that Brandon Marshall is on board as the No. 1 receiver."


About how he doesn't know what his role will be this season, Davone Bess said:
"I don't know. That's the thing about this coaching staff. We just do what we're asked, and the rest will take care of itself." (PBP)


About how he's excited to have Brandon Marshall as his teammate, Bess said:
"Anytime you can get a player of his caliber to be a part of your team, you have to be excited. He's going to make everybody better." (PBP)


PBP Note: "It's still up in the air just how the Dolphins will line up offensively. If they carry on with two running backs and a tight end, as was the case for the most part last year, that leaves only one slot receiver opposite Marshall, with Bess, Greg Camarillo and Brian Hartline all in contention. It wouldn't be surprising to see more of a one-back offense to get two of those three on the field, at least in passing situations."


About how Dolphins management showed their confidence in their offense when they drafted just 1 offensive player, Bess said:
"They're pretty confident in the offense. Now it's up to us to prove them right." (PBP)


http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thedailydolphin/2010/05/10/davone-bess-coaches-havent-addressed-my-role-yet/

Sunday, May 9, 2010

The $50 Athletics Fee is Low for the WAC

HA Note: "If approved by the Board of Regents, UH's fee would rank sixth in the WAC and be less than half that charged by Idaho, Utah State and Boise State, which all assess their students in excess of $100 per semester, according to a UH study of peer institutions.

UH is currently the only school in the WAC and one of the few among major colleges that does not have some form of a student athletic fee."


HA Note: "Spokesman Gregg Takayama said Mānoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw "intends to advance this proposal for approval" but it has yet to submit it and plans to "meet with students to seek their input" before proceeding."

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100509/SPORTS02/5090379&template=UHsports

Friday, May 7, 2010

Results from UH's Junior Pro Day

About his shock at what the scale said about his weight, Kealoha Pilares said:
"Two-thirteen?" (HA)


HA Note: "But then the National Football League scouts noted that Pilares, a 5-foot-10 1/4 slotback, had not changed from a padded uniform he wore for a commercial shoot for the Warrior football program. The differential would offer some relief for Pilares, one of 18 Warriors who participated in yesterday's pro-evaluation program at the UH athletic complex."


About taking the Wonderlic test, Greg Salas said:
"There were a lot of observation questions. One of the questions was: 'Do these numbers match?' They weren't hard." (HA)


HA Note: "Two National Football League scouting coordinators — Dave Petett of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ray Biggs of the Tennessee Titans — collected the information. Petett and Biggs also reviewed videos of the soon-to-be-senior Warriors, and met with the UH position coaches. While the measurables — heights, weights, hand spans, arm reaches — can be easily accessed, the Wonderlic scores and player evaluations will be sent to a scouting organization that will distribute the information to 28 of the 32 NFL teams."


About the importance of evaluating the incoming seniors this year, Petett said:
"Now we have a starting point." (HA)


About getting some facts about UH's pro prospects, Petett said:
"We know Hawai'i has good players. We wanted to get some numbers." (HA)


About how Greg Salas is the UH player that the NFL is most curious about, Petett said:
"We know he can play. We wanted to meet him in person." (HA)


About how he was looking forward to this evaluation session with the NFL, Salas said:
"I was curious to see what they were looking for. It was a good experience. Next time — and I hope there's a next time — I'll know what to expect." (HA)


HA Note: "Salas' hand span was measured at 9⁄ inches and his arm reach at 31 1/2 inches. He also was recorded at being 6 feet 1 3/8 and 205 pounds."


About how Salas measured well, Petett said:
"He's a good size." (HA)


About measuring at 5' 11.5" when he's listed as 6' tall, Rodney Bradley said:
"I play taller, on the field, I wear cleats, so I'm 6 feet when I play." (HA)


About how their CBs all measured around 5' 9" tall, Rich Miano said:
"I think we've got the 5-9 relay team." (HA)


HA Note: "After reviewing videos yesterday, Petett and Biggs were familiar with the Warriors. When Melvin Hopkins was summoned, Petett said, "He goes by 'Tank.' " "


About what the Warriors need to do to enhance their NFL prospects, Petett said:
"Now, they just have to go out and have good seasons." (HA)


Player..................Height.........Weight.......Hand span.........Reach
Rodney Bradley....5-11 1/2.......193.............9 1/2...................32
Jeramy Bryant.......5-9...............178.............9 1/4..................29
Lametrius Davis....5-10 3/4......187.............9......................31 1/4
Chizzy Dimude.....5-9 1/8.........196.............9 1/4................30 1/2
Scott Enos.............5-7 7/8..........163.............8 1/2...................28
Brysen Ginlack.....6-1 3/8..........316.............9 1/2...................32 1/4
Alex Green............6-0.................225.............9..........................32
Ryan Henry...........5-9................170..............9.........................31
Jake Heun.............6-0 3/8.........238.............10.....................30 3/4
Tank Hopkins........5-8 3/4.........173.............8 1/4................29 3/4
Laupepa Letuli......6-3 1/2.........329.............10 5/8.............34 1/2
Mana Lolotai.........5-11 3/8...... 243............10 1/4/.............32 1/4
Mike Maracle.........6-3 3/8.........237.............9 1/4...............31 3/4
Kealoha Pilares....5-10 1/4.......213.............8 1/2...................30 3/4
Greg Salas............6-1 3/8..........205.............9 1/8.................31 1/2
Mana Silva............6-0 3/4..........211.............9 3/4...................29
Spencer Smith......5-10 5/8.......196.............8 3/4...................30
Adrian Thomas.....6-5 1/8.........307..............10....................33 3/8


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100507/SPORTS0201/5070395&template=UHsports

http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com/2010/05/07/junior-day-2/

The average WAC head football coach lasts 3.3 years with his school

About how the average WAC head football coach lasts 3.3 years with a school, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said:
"In the last three years, this is probably the most turnover I've seen in any time frame." (HA)


HA Note: "Benson suggests the shuffling demonstrates the members'
"committent to winning." There is another way to look at it: The scramble to not fall hopelessly behind Boise State is getting serious."


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100507/COLUMNISTS06/5070393/1142&template=UHSports

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Notes about how much TV money each D-IA conference gets

C-USA gets $43 mil over 5 years from Fox and about $8 mil/year from CBS College Sports. ESPN gets to show the C-USA title game on ESPN2, but it is unclear how much money ESPN will pay for the title game. So, C-USA gets about $16.3 mil/year (not counting on any ESPN money), about $1.36 mil/school:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-08-16/sports/os-conference-usa-espn-tv-20110816_1_fox-sports-media-group-contract-extension-agreement-contract-negotiations

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-07-25/sports/os-cusa-media-news-20100725_1_c-usa-commissioner-britton-banowsky-southern-mississippi-larry-fedora

Notre Dame gets $15 mil/year from NBC and their deal expires after the 2015 season:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/sports/ncaafootball/11sandomir.html

The Big East currently gets $5 mil per football school from its ESPN contract that expires after the 2013 football season. They turned down an offer of $11 mil/school from ESPN and hope to get $19 mil to $23 mil per school:
http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/extras/colleges_blog/2011/08/big_east_confid.html

Instead of signing a $150k over 3 year deal for radio rights, UH became an equity partner with KKEA:
http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/ferdswords/20110728_UHs_radio_rights_deal_is_an_interesting_partnership.html

Article about the MWC's financial struggles, mentions that getting AQ status will only mean about $1 mil more per school. The MWC may remain underpaid by TV because the MWC markets only cover 5% of the US population:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jul/27/mountain-west-facing-financial-struggles/


Nice summary of the TV deals:
ACC $155 million 2011 through 2022-23 ESPN/ABC
Big 12 $90 million 2012 through 2024-25 Fox
$60 million 2008 through 2015-16 ESPN/ABC
Big East $36 million 2007 through 2013 ESPN/ABC
Big Ten $232 million 2007 through 2031-32 The Big Ten Network*
$20 million 2006 through 2015-16 CBS
Conference USA $15.6-16.1 million 2011 through 2015-16 CBS College Sports
Mountain West $11.7 million 2007 through 2013-14 CBS College Sports
Pac-12 $250 million 2011 through 2022-23 ESPN and Fox
SEC $150 million 2009 through 2023-24 ESPN/ABC
$55 million 2009 through 2023-24 CBS College Sports

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/05/09/Media/Pac-10.aspx


The Big 12 signed a 13-year, $1.17 bil deal with Fox for their 2nd-choice TV rights. So, the 2nd-choice TV rights bring in $90 mil/year, an increase of 350%. The first-choice TV rights belong to ABC/ESPN until 2015-2016, and bring in $60 mil/year. If that goes up 350% then the Big 12 will be rolling in money...as it is, the conference will be stable with the new contract and with Texas/Oklahoma getting their own TV networks.
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/13/big-12-set-to-announce-new-tv-deal/


Fox was paying just $20 mil/year for the Big 12 second-tier TV rights...$90 mil is a huge raise. Every Big 12 home football game will be on TV now.
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/40764/what-the-big-12s-new-tv-deal-means


Apparently Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M were offered $20 mil/year each to stay in the Big 12, with the extra money coming from the shares of the other Big 12 schools...Texas and Oklahoma turned down the offer of extra money but Texas A&M demanded the $20 mil/year:
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/13/2799218/tv-deal-is-tie-that-binds-big.html


San Diego State's President said that C-USA schools (in other words, Houston/SMU/UTEP) were not interested in joining the MWC after C-USA increased their TV money:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jan/25/mountain-west-holding-expansion/


Update 1/23/11:

HawaiiMongoose had a nice summary of the TV deals:

MWC - Through 2016, signed with Comcast and CBS for $12MM/YR, but membership changes allow the contract to be renegotiated now
Pac12 - Through 2012, signed with Fox and ESPN/ABC for $53MM/YR; renegotiation is now underway
Big East - Through 2014, signed with ESPN/ABC for approximately $40MM/YR; may be renegotiated early
Big 12 - Through 2016, signed with ESPN/ABC and Fox for approximately $135MM/YR
Big 10 - Through 2017, signed with ESPN/ABC for $200MM/YR (and Fox for Big 10 Network which generates additional $50MM+/YR)
ACC - Through 2023, signed with ESPN/ABC for $155MM/YR
SEC - Through 2024, Signed with ESPN/ABC and CBS for $205MM/YR

http://www.mwcboard.com/www/forums/index.php?showtopic=31029&st=25

Update 1/5/11:

C-USA chose Fox sports over ESPN. Fox gave them 5-years, $38 million beginning in 2011 (replacing a 6-year, $22 mil contract from ESPN). They also signed a 6-year, $42 mil contract with CBS College sports. That is $14.6 mil from TV, $1.22 mil/school each year:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/7367052.html

ACC: 2010-11 (new contract runs to 2022-23)
Big 12: 2015-16 ABC Football/ESPN Basketball, 2011-12 FSN Football/All Other Sports
Big East: 2013-14 ABC/ESPN Football & Basketball, CBS Basketball
Big Ten: 2016-17 ABC/ESPN, 2026-27 Fox/Big Ten Netork
C-USA: 2010-11 CBS College & ESPN (CBS College has new contract extending to 2015-16)
MAC: 2016-17 ESPN
MWC: 2015-16 CBS College
Pac-12: 2011-12 ABC & FSN
SEC: 2023-24 CBS & ESPN
Sun Belt: 2011-12 ESPN
WAC: 2016-17 ESPN

Texas is reportedly going to get $12 million per year (10 years guaranteed) from ESPN for its TV rights for its network. This is in addition to the $20 million per year Texas will get from its Big 12 TV money:
http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1148672

If Boise State makes a BCS bowl, UH gets $1.055 million, if a MWC team makes a BCS bowl, UH gets $429,500, and if no non-AQ team makes a BCS bowl, UH gets $311k:
http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/ferdswords/20101104_The_decision_between_money_and_victory_is_an_easy_one.html

The Pac-12 expects to go from $5.3 million per year in TV money to between $10.8 million and $14.1 million. USC and UCLA will get an extra $2 million per year until the TV revenue is big enough:
http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_16382545

ESPN's TV deal with the WAC guarantees 10 ESPN/ESPN2 games plus 6 on ESPNU:
http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101019_ESPN_airing_UH-Boise_would_dent_PPV_cash.html

BYU is getting $8 million in 2010 for its football telecasts in its first year as an independent:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/50363126-77/mtn-byu-utah-league.html.csp


The Big East has 2 TV contracts, each football-playing member gets $3.67 million from ESPN (6-year, $80 million deal for football, 6-year $138 million for basketball from ESPN and $54 million from CBS)
http://blogs.dailymail.com/wvu/2010/06/23/evaluating-and-projecting-big-east-tv-deal/


The SEC, Big East, and ACC have reportedly been told that their TV deals will not be redone if they add schools--so, if they expand, they will get less money per school. The Big 12 is looking for a 4-year cable TV deal so that all of its TV rights will come up for bid in 2016:
http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1129216


C-USA extended its TV deal with CBS College Sports through 2016 and is said to be close to extending their deal with ESPN. The CBSCS rights increased by 15% in their contract extension:
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/07/conference-usa-expects-to-make-about-8-million-a-year-off-cbs-college-sports-tv-contract-continues-negotiations-with-espn.html

ESPN gets first choice of games, CBSCS gets second choice, and then local TV deals are allowed to show the games that neither network chooses. C-USA tried to learn from the problems that the MWC had with its TV deal to provide flexibility and visibility for their schools.



The Pac-10 does *not* share TV revenue equally--USC gets around $5 million more than a school like Washington State. USC, UCLA, and Washington have blocked the Pac-10 from going to a more equal split of revenue:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/budwithers/2012384965_withers18.html


West Virginia *lost* $1.1 million when they went to the 2008 Fiesta Bowl:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/x/s_657537.html?source=emailthis


Industry analysts project Texas could produce up to $5 million per year in additional revenues from the network, once it is established. But those numbers could be low. Florida reportedly makes in excess of $8 million per year from its network, tops among SEC schools:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/06/15/2268189/longhorns-hope-to-get-tv-network.html#ixzz0r2Xgasx9


TV experts say that a TV network for Oklahoma might not make money because they don't have the population base to overcome the high expenses for a network. Oklahoma has 3x the population than Hawaii, a big presence in several big Texas markets, and is a national brand...if they cannot make a profit on a network then most schools cannot:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GCEPEO0.htm


The MWC gets $120 million over 10 years, running through 2015-2016. ESPN pays the WAC about $4 million per year, so BSU would get about $700k more per year to go to the MWC.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/05/21/1201115/mountain-west-tv-what-you-need.html

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2010/05/20/ccripe/detailing_mountain_west_tv_contract


The ACC got a new ESPN TV deal for $155 million per year, far higher than the $67 million per year they have on their TV deal expiring in 2011. This is less than the $205 million per year that the SEC gets, but still a *huge* step up in their revenue. The TV deal is reported to be $1.86 billion over 12 years. ESPN had to outbid FOX for the TV rights, which increased the deal from the previously estimated $120 million per year:

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2010/05/17/daily2.html


According to the Sports Business Journal, the Big Ten Network, launched in June 2006, has been hugely profitable. In 2007, the network generated $217.7 million and paid each of the 11 schools approximately $18.8 million. And in 2008, the payout increased to $22 million apiece.







The Southeastern Conference, according to the Sports Business Journal, paid its schools about $11 million apiece in 2007, while the Pac 10, which has been talking expansion and creation of its own network, paid between $7 million and $11.5 million, the Big 12 paid between $7 and $12 million, and the Big East paid about $4.5 million to its schools.




The SEC has a 15-year, $3.075 billion TV contract. That is $205 million per year, $17.08 million per team
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/07/24/sec-espn/index.html








The Big 10 Network is *really* paying off for the Big 10--they make more than $17 million per team now and their revenue keeps increasing each year as they get more cable companies to carry them.
http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/texas-headed-to-the-big-ten-not-likely-230052.html

The Big 12 does not share money evenly, with Texas making BY FAR the most TV money (due to network appearances and NCAA tournament success)...but Texas only gets between $7 million and $10 million per year and the rest of the conference gets less.
http://new.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/12910849/expansion-would-boost-pac10-but-leave-wake-of-disruption?utm_source=bleacherreport.com


According to this link, the Big 12 made about $80 million in TV money last year, which comes out to an average of $6.7 million per team.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100214/COL08/2140476/Texas-to-the-Big-Ten?-Its-possible


ACC teams each get $6.1 million per year from TV (SI article above).


Update on the ACC: They now get $70 million per year for TV rights (about $6 million per school) and are currently negotiating to try to get $120 million per year (about $10 million per school):

http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article.preview&articleid=65017


MWC has got a 7-year, $82 million contract through 2013-2014. That comes out to $11.7 million per year or $1.3 million per team

C-USA got $45.8 million over 6 years from CBCCS and $22 million over six years from ESPN (through 2010-2011), which comes out to $11.3 million per year or about $1 million per team

C-USA's exit fee is just $500k. MWC and WAC have no exit fee. Schools do have to forfeit the conference revenue in their final year in the conference when they decide to leave.


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110102_eyes_of_mwc_are_upon_texas.html

Note:

The CBS Sportsline article from 2009 stated that the Big 10 Network would make $2.8 million per year. The article also mentions $100 million per year from ESPN from the Big 10. However, this 2010 article mentions that the Big 10 Network made nearly $250 million! So, the Big 10's TV revenue was approximately $102.8 million in 2008 and $250 million in 2009...a huge increase.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/84357987.html


The Big Ten paid out nearly $18.8 million to each of its schools in 2008, and The Sporting News projected that this figure topped $20 million each for member schools in 2009. In contrast, the University of Missouri earned $8.4 million in 2008 and was projected to receive about $10 million this year.

Texas took home $10.2 million in 2008 from the conference, as the league’s revenue sharing is not completely equal. Even if the Big Ten expands by another team, this amount would still be approximately $ 8–10 million more per school than what the Big 12 currently pays out.

http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/feb/23/inside-sports-business-changing-conferences-all-ab/


UH will apparently receive about $400k from the WAC's TV deal in 2010, which includes a $75k inconvenience fee for playing the USC game on a Thursday. Given that there are 9 teams in the WAC, that would seem to indicate that the WAC's TV contract is worth between $3 million and $4 million per year.

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100217/SPORTS0201/2170366&template=UHsports

The Pac-10 doesn't share TV money equally:

2008 TV revenue:
USC $6,469,584
UCLA $4,905,922
Oregon State $4,864,571
Washington $4,740,518
California $4,388,159
Arizona State $4,091,777
Oregon $3,967,724
Stanford $3,449,961
Arizona $3,342,259
Wash. State $3,029,526

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2009256167_uwmoney24.html

Overall conference revenue distribution (2008-2009 academic year):

USC: $11,479,242
Oregon: $9,277,342
OSU: $9,922,072
Cal: $8,851,138
Washington: $8,447,330
UCLA: $8,783,712
Arizona: $8,181,329
ASU: $7,910,038
Stanford: $7,216,848
WSU: $6,676,774

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2010/08/12/pac-10-football-conference-revenue-and-per-school-distribution-figures/

UH gets $135k per year from Under Armour and product allowances, marketing support and other extras valued at a total of $465k per year. Honolulu Advertiser 5/16/2010.

Michigan is getting $66.5 million over 8 years from Adidas

Notre Dame is getting $60 million over 10 years from Adidas

North Carolina is getting $33.7 million over 10 years from Nike

Alabama is getting $30 million over 8 years from Nike

http://blog.al.com/solomon/2010/05/alabamas_nike_deal_comes_with.html




Winning has sure paid off for Boise State's licensing revenue stream--from $70k per year in 2002-2003 to over $700k last year. BSU's bookstore ships BSU merchandise to all 50 states and mainstream department stores sell their merchandise:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39042050


Boise State makes about $1.86 million per home game:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/10/09/1372804/scheduling-top-teams-now-a-tougher.html

Chancellor Hinshaw approved a proposal for a $50 per semester Student Athletic Fee!

HA Note: "A new proposal for a student athletic fee that could help the University of Hawai'i athletic department balance its annual budget is headed toward the Board of Regents for review. Spokesman Gregg Takayama said Mānoa chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw has signed off on the proposal that would assess all full- and part-time students $50 per semester and result in $2 million per year in revenue. The proposal, which is expected to be passed on by UH President M.R.C. Greenwood, could go before the regents as soon as the July 15 meeting. The regents are not scheduled to meet next month. But even if it is approved this summer, UH officials said the fee would not be assessed until January 2011."


HA Note: "UH is the only school in the nine-member Western Athletic Conference without some form of a student fee and has sought to implement one for more than two years over the opposition of student government leaders."


About how the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii (ASUH) are opposed to a athletic fee, ASUH VP-elect Anna Koethe said:
"On behalf of ASUH, I am strongly opposed to an athletic fee at this current time." (HA)


About how Hinshaw responded to the objections last year from several student groups and committees but looking to see how the students could get better value, Takayama said Hinshaw: "asked the athletic department to take another look. The new proposal makes several changes to prior proposals." (HA)


HA Note: "In exchange for the $50 per semester fee, the current proposal would set aside seats for students at all events where an admission fee is charged. For example, up to 10 percent of Aloha Stadium's 50,000-seat capacity, would be for students. In the event student demand exceeds the allotment, a committee composed of students, athletic representatives and campus administrators would be charged with finding a solution.

Five percent of the money collected would be turned over to the committee, which would earmark the funds to enhance the student experience through promotions, giveaways, transportation or additional and varied events.

In addition, Takayama said, the athletic department would host a free concert for students in the Stan Sheriff Center at the beginning of each school year."


About how it would be good to get students attend more athletic events, JD said:
"Getting the students more involved in athletics would be a win-win all the way around." (HA)


About how the Chancellor knows that there is opposition to the athletic fee but it is needed for the financial stability of the University, Takayama said:
"the chancellor realizes there is still going to be concern or opposition on the part of some but what she is prepared to tell those (people) is that she has to address the financial stability of the entire university, including athletics. It is her feeling that a strong, financially stable sports program is important not just for the university, but the entire community, our alumni, other supporters and possible donors." (HA)


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100506/SPORTS02/5060362&template=UHsports

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Feature article on RGM and Bess

MH = Miami Herald


MH Note: "He sprinted around the field with those same quick and compact steps, catching passes and returning punts while dreadlocks flowed from the back of his helmet. For two years, Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess has been easy to spot at the team's facility because of those very qualities. So this was nothing unusual. But it wasn't Bess."


Pointing out a difference between Bess and him, RGM said:
"My dreadlocks are a little bit longe." (MH)


MH Note: "Just how similar are Grice-Mullen and Bess? While they played college football together at Hawaii, Grice-Mullen's own mother had to begin developing detailed ways to distinguish one from the other if she couldn't see their jersey numbers."


About how she tells Bess apart from her son RGM, Sheila Pinkney said:
"You know how I tell them apart? Their legs. Davone has big thighs. And Ryan crosses his feet on the sideline. If he's getting a breather, he crosses his feet. That's how I can keep an eye on him." (MH)


MH Note: "Bess and Grice-Mullen, two free spirits with eerily similar personalities, have become such kindred spirits away from the field that Pinkney said she considers Bess to be more like a son than a friend. Every Mother's Day, Bess phones Pinkney."


MH Note: "It's a special bond that began on the field at Hawaii, where the duo became known as "the dread heads" while piling up huge numbers. As juniors, they combined for 214 catches and 25 touchdowns in 2007 before declaring for the NFL Draft."


About Bess and RGM being at UH at the same time, Miami head coach Tony Sparano said:
"It must have been a heck of a 7-on-7 [passing drill during practice] down there in Hawaii when you're throwing the ball around and these two guys are moving all over the place." (MH)


MH Note: "Whereas the friendship remained firmly intact, the paths of both began to diverge. Both undrafted, Bess landed in Miami and immediately thrived in a system that relied on his nonstop motor. But Grice-Mullen, who landed in Houston, tweaked his hamstring before he could prove the same type of worth as Bess."


About being cut after he got injured, RGM said:
"If you have an injury as a free agent, you're gone. That was the thing that hurt the most. It wasn't like I got released because I wasn't good enough. I just wasn't able to show my talent." (MH)


MH Note: "Although two is better than one in many industries, the Dolphins aren't afforded such luxuries because there are only 53 roster spots. And with Brandon Marshall, Greg Camarillo, Brian Hartline and Bess all established, it makes it even more difficult. Plus, the team still is developing Patrick Turner."


Pointing out some differences between RGM and Bess, Sparano said:
"He has shown me good ability to judge the football back there which is a major hurdle with any returner is to get by that type of deal. So I feel like he's going to be a pretty good decision maker." (MH)


About how he and Bess can handle different roles, RGM said:
"I do definitely see that fit. One thing from playing at Hawaii, we're both versatile. We can play different spots. You can move us in the slot, and we can handle ourselves outside for small guys. We can both do the return game, too." (MH)


About how Bess will always support him, RGM said:
"The best thing about Davone, even if I'd gone to another team, he's just excited I'm getting my chance again. It's always been nothing but love.'' (MH)


http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/05/1615342/miami-dolphins-reunite-dread-heads.html

Aaron Kia will get a tryout with the Jets

HA Note: "Kia has been invited to participate in the New York Jets' organized team activities (OTA) beginning May 15. The workouts will serve as a tryout, and if Kia does well, he might receive a free-agent contract from the Jets."


About how Brashton Satele was the first person to call him after learning that he was invited to OTAs with the Jets, Aaron Kia said:
"I wanted to know what the weather would be like in New York." (HA)


About how his tryout with the 49ers should help him in his tryout with the Jets, Kia said:
"Now I have an idea of what to expect." (HA)


About how he weighed 281 pounds at UH's Pro Day and was about 290 at the start of the 49ers' mini-camp, Kia said:
"My goal is to be over 300. I want to be solid. I don't want to be flabby." (HA)


About how he's training with his brother Micah (UCLA OL) and former UCLA DL Jerzy Siewierski, Kia said:
"I've got two more weeks to gain some more weight and continue training. It's not like I'm relying on somebody else. It's up to me. I have a legitimate shot. Hopefully, it will happen. It's an opportunity." (HA)


http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100505/SPORTS04/5050365/1049/sportsfront/Former+Warrior+Kia+gets+Jet+tryout

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Reports reviewing the end of Spring Practice (Moniz is still in the top group of QBs)

HA Note: "Although the Hawai'i football team will not release a post-spring-training depth chart, it has established a two-tier system for the quarterbacks. Head coach Greg McMackin said Shane Austin, David Graves, Brent Rausch and Bryant Moniz are in the top group. Cayman Shutter, Corey Nielsen and incoming freshman Kevin Spain are in the second group."


HA Note: "Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich acknowledged that Moniz still "was No. 1" when he departed. McMackin said Moniz will remain in that first tier despite the absence. Still, Rolovich said, "nobody really separated" himself from the other quarterbacks during the 15 practices of spring training spread over a month."


About how Royce Pollard is ahead of Billy Ray Stutzmann at right wideout, Rolo said that Pollard:
"had a very good spring. It seemed like he made bigger plays for us this spring than he did in the past." (HA)


About how Billy Ray was hampered by nagging injuries, Rolo said:
"I thought Billy Ray started off spring really well. He got banged up a little bit." (HA)


About how there never is enough time to get everything done in the Spring, Dave Aranda said:
"The first two weeks we really installed heavy, so the last two weeks we've been repping it out and getting to know the details and adjustments. There's still other things that need to be inserted, but I feel the base of our defense is in. You'd like for spring to get a look at people, you'd like to get looks at the Army option, the USC power, the Colorado quick-throwing game. ... You have to juggle your time and there's not enough time." (HSB)


About how they have to cut between 30 and 35 players this week, Mack said:
"We'll make some decisions. Everybody out there is a player, you just have to do the tough thing and it's a numbers thing." (HSB)


About their play in their final scrimmage, Mack said:
"It shows that it's really competitive because there were plays made on both sides of the ball, big-time hits, and big plays on offense. We're moving in the right direction." (HSB)


About how Stepter and Ornellas played a lot more because their top 3 CBs were sitting out by the end of the Spring, Aranda said:
"Our twos were also our threes and fours. Real proud of those guys, they were able to do what they needed to do. We're down to bare bones and (Rich Miano and Chris Tormey) coached them up." (HSB)


Feeling like they are more experienced and have depth now, Mack said:
"We have veterans now. We had seven starters back last year, we have 17 back this year and we played without several of our players (due to injuries). I feel we have some depth and we're young. That's what I like about this team, they're young and hungry and competitive." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100504_UH_ends_productive_spring.html

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100504/SPORTS0201/5040346&template=UHsports

The UH Athletic Department is projecting a $2 million deficit, $600k less than the previous year

HA Note: "The University of Hawai'i athletic department is projecting a deficit of approximately $2 million when the current fiscal year ends in less than two months, which could mark an improvement of as much as $600,000 from the previous one. But the shortfall remains in line with a February forecast to the Board of Regents predicting the accumulated net deficit will hit $10.1 million when the books close June 30, 2010.

UH had a $2.63 million deficit for the fiscal year that closed June 30, 2009. It was the seventh time in eight years a deficit has been recorded. Only the Sugar Bowl year of 2007 did not close in the red. The accumulated net deficit, which has been building since 2002, was $8,051,123 as of June 30, 2009."


About how the deficits will continue, an independent auditor's report in February concluded:
"in the near term, during the next two or three fiscal years, it is probably not realistic for Manoa athletics to self-generate enough revenues at the current level of allocated revenues to produce a balanced budget." (HA)


JD said that UH's deficit will end up:
"somewhere between $1.8 million and $2.2 million." (HA)


HA Note: "UH said it has kept about 12.5 percent of its athletic department positions vacant to help save money and attempted to tap new revenue opportunities."


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100504/SPORTS02/5040345&template=UHsports