Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The WAC is not going to expand until at least 2012

About how they will have just 8 schools in 2011-2012 and won't add any new schools until 7/1/12 at the earliest, Karl Benson said:
"Over the past few weeks, the WAC's Board of Directors and athletics directors have explored several membership options. We believe it is in the best interest of the WAC to operate as an eight-team league for the 2011-12 season." (AP)


Saying that the future of the WAC is very bright, Benson said:
"The future for the WAC is very bright, and we will continue to provide our student-athletes with the opportunities to compete on both the regional and national stages in all of our sports." (AP)


About how they have an opening in 2011 because they will have 1 less conference game that season, UH associate AD Carl Clapp said:
"I am currently looking for a non-conference game." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Boise State had the option to play the 2011 game with UH as a non-conference contest "but with the new conference schedule" and four non-conference games booked, "we won't be playing any WAC teams in 2011," said Max Corbet, BSU sports information director. "We can't even fit in (state rival) Idaho." "


About how they decided to not expand now so that they can explore their options, UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"The time for change is really coming to a close for this year, so the WAC has decided to wait and think strategically about expanding - for example, should there be 8, 10, or 12 members and who would be the best fit. This provides time to determine the desired size of the conference and the best matches for the WAC with regard to academics, geography, and competitiveness in different sports." (HSA)


HSA Note: "North Texas, perhaps the most viable current Football Bowl Subdivision candidate for the WAC, will commission a study before deciding whether to leave the Sun Belt Conference. Several Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA) teams are possibilities but none has, as yet, applied for a change of divisions due to an NCAA moratorium."


About how they will study the issue of expansion, Benson said:
"We will now take several months to drill down on the various membership options before making any decisions that would impact the 2012-'13 season." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Benson said expansion discussion by the board will be ongoing "as necessary." "


About how BSU won't be playing UH in the near future as a nonconference opponent, BSU SID Max Corbet said:
"With the cost and travel, I'd be surprised." (HSA)


HSA Note: "It's gotten to the point that a member of the Sun Belt holds out for a better offer. And when that source of fresh meat dries up, the WAC is in trouble. That's where Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State came from in 2005. Not that they're all that. In their five seasons in the WAC, the agonizing Aggies (both of 'em) and the mostly vapid Vandals have won 44 football games and lost 137. None of them made a bowl game until Idaho did it last season, and no one outside of Moscow's calling the Kibbie Dome home to a budding dynasty. These three schools have averaged less than two wins a season against teams outside their triangle of futility."

http://hosted2.ap.org/HIHON/117a0477c44849128ee910aa1d0181d9/Article_2010-06-29-WAC-Expansion/id-b501f504e96141c2bd560298875c7213

http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100630_Its_only_going_to_get_tougher_for_the_WAC_to_Play_Up.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100630_WAC_wont_expand.html

UH hopes that using athletes will increase season ticket renewals

About calling season-ticket holders to bet renewals each season, Shane Austin said:
"You have to be personal." (HSA)


HSA Note: "School officials said 77 percent of the football season tickets - about 18,500 of 24,000 sold in 2009 - have been renewed. This week, UH started the call-back campaign, with Austin and his teammates asking fans to renew their season tickets."


About how he received good responses from the fans he talked with, Rodney Bradley said:
"One of them asked me about my leg. They were pretty supportive." (HSA)


About how he stumbled during his first call but eventually got the hang of it, Alex Green said:
"I got used to it. They give you compliments and stuff. At first, it's like, 'Who's this?' I'll say, 'I'm Alex Green, with the UH football team.' They'll say stuff like, 'I like your running style.' " (HSA)


About how he was able to apply lessons that he learned in his business classes, Mike Tinoco (who got 3 Warrior fans to renew their season tickets) said:
"I actually felt I accomplished something." (HSA)


About how he enjoyed talking with their fans, Cayman Shutter said:
"I like talking to season-ticket holders. My parents are season-ticket holders. We always get excited when the season tickets show up, and we get the whole booklet. That's when you get up for the season. As fans, at least, I know what it's like." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Not all of the calls were fruitful. Several declined to renew, citing the economy. One fan said he "lost faith" in the program."


About being understanding when some fans don't renew their season tickets, Rodney Bradley said:
"We have to understand where they're coming from. I can understand because of the way the economy is. Even if they say 'no,' it's good to talk to the people who actually support us." (HSA)


About how some fans say that they are too old to go to games anymore, Jett Jasper said:
"Some of the people said they're too old to come to the games. They're 70, 80 years old. I guess that's a good excuse. But no other excuse will work on me." (HSA)


About how the players were willing help, especially with the free pizzas they delivered to the call rooms, Brian Smith said:
"Food is good motivation." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Cornerback Steven Christian has been cleared to participate in all offseason football activities. Christian, a third-year sophomore, suffered a labrum tear in his right hip after the 2009 spring practice. The injury worsened, requiring surgery in September. His rehabilitation involved slow range-of-motion exercises. Christian is expected to compete at left cornerback in training camp."


HSA Note: "Tinoco, who is recovering from a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, said he is about two weeks away from being able to participate in 7-on-7 drills. During the third week of the five-week spring training, he suffered what was described as a "grade 1, grade 2" sprain." Sprains are rated on a 3-degree scale, with 3 the most severe. He said the injury did not require surgery."


About how he should be recovered before camp begins, Tinoco said:
"I'll be good before fall camp." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100630_UH_hopes_using_athletes_will_be_the_ticket.html

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The WAC is unlikely to expand

HSA Note: "The Western Athletic Conference Board of Directors has scheduled a call today and signs increasingly point to the unlikelihood expansion will take place in time to add a school for the 2011-12 school year.


HSA Note: "It will be at least the third time the board, which is composed of presidents and chancellors of the member institutions, has met since Boise State's June 11 announcement of plans to join the Mountain West for the 2011-12 school year, when the WAC will be left with eight members. Because most conferences have a July 1 or Aug. 1 deadline for moving to another league for 2011-12, any WAC offer to a school from another conference would have to come soon. North Texas, the most likely candidate among current Football Bowl Series (formerly known as Division I-A) members, is a member of the Sun Belt Conference, which has a July 1 deadline."


About how they will hire a consultant to study their athletic program and make recommendations about its future before they will consider any conference affiliation changes, a North Texas spoke said that the study could start in:
"a couple of months." (HSA)


HSA Note: "UNT, which is in Denton, Texas, about 40 miles north of Dallas, has been a member of the Sun Belt since 2001. It turned down an overture from the WAC in 2004, when it was hoping for a bid from Conference USA. UNT is in the midst of a $100 million facilities improvement, including a new 30,000 seat stadium scheduled to open in 2011.

Meanwhile, several other often-mentioned possibilities, including Montana, Texas State (San Marcos), Sacramento State, UC Davis and Portland State, are currently members of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA) and subject to an NCAA moratorium on moves to FBS status until 2011. The process would require at least two years and none have so far stated an intention to change membership."


About how they have a great foundation in the WAC, WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said:
"We still have a solid core of eight schools and are being very prudent. The WAC is not in a panic mode at all. This was one member leaving. Granted Boise State's (football) success provided credibility to the WAC, but we continue to have a great foundation." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/20100629_WAC_expansion_unlikely.html

UH and Navy begin talks to extend their football series

HSA Note: "They met for the second time last season and hope to set up a future home-and-home series. It is "all very tentative" said a Navy spokesman who said the Midshipmen, barring changes, might not have an opening until 2017. UH might not have a nonconference opening until 2013, depending upon when the Western Athletic Conference fills the vacancies left by Boise State's departure from the conference in 2011."


About how he would like to extend the series with UH, Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo (who graduated from Radford High and played and coached at UH) said:
"I'd love to get them to come to the East Coast." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/20100629_UH_Navy_begin_talks_to_extend_football_series.html

Monday, June 28, 2010

Articles about the JJ Foundation's Mission to Samoa this year (including Nate Ilaoa, Mel Purcell, and Jesse Sapolu)

SN = Samoa News

SN Note: "Arriving Thursday night, Jones, leading the contingent of 29 sports stars and medical experts woke early Friday morning to begin a whirlwind four days of giving. In the short time period the June Jones Foundation which sponsors the annual Mission will have given away more than $450,000 in donated medical equipment and services for local residents and over $50,000 in donated athletic equipment to local athletes. The added plus: invaluable advice for local football coaches and referees during a clinic held yesterday afternoon (see separate story on football clinic) and a first-time golf clinic with Samoan golf phenoms Tony and Gipper Finau who shared their skills and expertise with young golfers at the Ili'ili Golf Course."


Thanking JJ and the Samoan NFL players who came to Samoa with him for "giving back", Governor Toiola Tlafano said:
"Thank you to Coach June Jones, the June Jones Foundation and the Goodwill Mission for keeping this wonderful mission of love and hope for the people of American Samoa. And I say thank you to our Samoan players — Jessie Sapolu, Ma'a Tanuvasa and Nate Ilaoa — for giving back to our youth by sharing their knowledge and experience in the game of football, but more importantly, how football prepares you for life and the challenges ahead what you will become, how valuable teamwork is, molding and building character, and then, like our returning football greats, take and share that with future young Samoans. We are truly blessed and we are so grateful." (SN)


SN Note: "SMU Wide Receivers Coach Jeff Reinebold told Togiola that the medical mission began setting up a playroom yesterday at LBJ's Pediatric Ward for children and parents alike. Reinebold says eight pallets of medical supplies were shipped over for the local hospital at Faga'alu."


About establishing the playroom at the hospital, Reinebold said:
"We'd like the hospital to be a place to go to — to live — not to die. The playroom is for our children because they are our future." (SN)


SN Note: "Leading the medical mission is Jeff's wife Ellie Taft-Reinebold, Clinical Inpatient Manager for the Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at the Stanford Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. A statement from the Governor's Office says over the past two years, the Mission has made a major impact in American Samoa, by providing over $600,000 in medical supplies, medical teaching tools and services. In addition, nearly $100,000 in sports equipment and $20,000 in academic scholarships have been provided. The Mission has attracted more than 1,100 high school football players and coaches that have participated in camps and clinics."


SN Note: "This year there is no football academy, however, young football players will get to hear from Jones, Reinebold and former NFL and University of Hawaii great Jesse Sapolu during assemblies at three campuses today — Leone High School on the west, Samoana High School in the town area and Fagaitua High School in the east. Players will receive t-shirts other goodies and some serious talk about education."


SN Note: "In recognition of the incredible military service that has been provided by American Samoans, the Foundations' Wounded Warrior Project and Hickam Air Force Base will host a program to honor all of our men and women of the Armed Forces."


Asked why he does these annual missions, JJ said that he holds:
"a special affection for the Polynesian culture and their values of work, faith, loyalty and family. These are the qualities that have led to the success of so many NFL players from Samoa." (SN)


About he and his wife Penny serving as Honorary Ambassadors for the Third Annual American Samoa Goodwill Mission,Paul Loyd said:
"Penny and I are honored to once again be joining Coach June Jones and the other dedicated individuals who make this meaningful program possible. This was a life changing experience for us last year and we are excited to once again be involved." (SN)


SN Note: "Yesterday, Sapolu, in Samoan, thanked the Lord for another chance given to them to be able to visit American Samoa and to give back to the community. He also thanked the Governor and the people of American Samoa for the warm reception they receive every year they visit."


SN Note: "During yesterday's clinic Austin spoke to participants about how officiating in the NFL is different from the college levels and high school levels while Reinebold shared techniques with coaches. Attending the clinic were: Fagaitua High School Head Football coach Sua'ese Pooch Ta'ase, Fa'asao Marist High School Head Football Coach Filoiali'i Langkilde, Leone High School Head Football Coach Pati Pati, Tafuna High School football coach Antonio Tupuola, coach Vanu Moe, and high school official Ene Kapisi with the Department of Education. Chairman of the Samoa Bowl Committee Peter Gurr and Vice Chair Melila Purcell were also in attendance."


Explaining the job of referees in a game, Austin said:
"The referees are there to manage the rhythm of the game, and to keep the flow of the game going. The officials have to develop a rhythm, in order the game to run smoothly, and safely." (SN)


SN Note: "He told participants that the worst blockers in the world in a football game, and the most mouthiest players on the field, are wide receivers. Austin also included a film session for the clinic, so that the coaches and officials could have a real understanding of what is being brought to them, and what he is explaining from his point of view, throughout his career as a NFL official."


SN Note: "Reinebold covered several areas with coaches including the job of each player and explained to the coaches how to visualize the attack, and how to come out with great defensive schemes, without the offense reading it."


Reinebold said that DEs can play well inside the scheme with:
"less than elite talent." (SN)


Reinebold added that to do so they must be:
"unselfish and willing to play within the scheme." (SN)


About how MLBs can be the least athletic of the LBs, Reinebold said:
"Football intelligence is important, but they must be able to play well between tackles." (SN)


http://www.samoanews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=16407&edition=1277546400&newssection=Sports

http://www.samoanews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=16406

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Ferd's column on whether or not UH might go independent

About how he won't consider going independent now, but if the WAC got raided further then he'd have to consider independence, JD said:
"It (independence) is not an option for me as the WAC stands now. But if dramatic changes came, we'd have to look at all of our options and see what is best for the state, the school and the program." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Historically, since the establishment of the NCAA's Division I-A (now known as the Football Bowl Subdivision) in 1978, few schools have dared go independent in football or stayed unaligned for very long. Currently, there are only three: Army, Navy and Notre Dame, all longtime independents."


About how only a few Universities can go independent, Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo (former UH QB and assistant coach) said:
"It takes a special situation like we have here (at Navy)." (HSA)


HSA Note: "All three have conference affiliations for sports other than football: Army and Navy with the Patriot League and Notre Dame with the Big East. Common elements of their success as independents are national appeal, which provides an ability to schedule games; longtime rivals; individual TV contracts; and conferences for their sports other than football to compete in."


About how they make a lot of money playing the other 2 independent teams every year, Niumatalolo said:
"For us, the Army and Notre Dame games are huge financially. Playing those two every year gives us two big revenue games." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Army and Navy have contracts with the CBS College Sports Network for their home and host games, while Notre Dame has an NBC agreement that has paid upwards of $9 million per season."


HSA Note: "While UH receives upwards of $2.5 million for its TV and pay-per-view rights, it would likely have to strike a wide-ranging deal with ESPN if it were to consider going independent. When June Jones was the UH coach, he floated the idea of selling ESPN on a last-game-of-the-night package for UH home games, a concept that has long had appeal at UH but is currently prevented by the school's rights being tied to the WAC agreement with ESPN. ESPN's cooperation on a couple of fronts would be important for any UH bid for independence since without the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, which ESPN subsidiary ESPN Regional TV (ERT) owns and operates, the school would have no conference affiliation to fall back on for a postseason bid. In addition, ERT owns and operates the Diamond Head Classic basketball tournament, which UH hosts."


HSA Note: "People in the industry say UH would likely have to play a couple of so-called "body bag" road games at difficult-to-win places such Louisiana State or Texas for the large paychecks they would generate in order to fund the kind of guarantees that would bring even middle- and lower-tier opponents to Aloha Stadium. Moreover, while UH has traditionally been able to attract nonconference opponents early in the season and at the end, it would be hard pressed to fill the October and November slots currently stocked by WAC teams because prospective opponents would also be in conference play. But the key component in any bid for independence, even UH officials acknowledge, would be finding a home for its 16 sports other than football and men's volleyball, which is in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation."


About how UH used to have its Rainbow Wahine teams compete in the Big West from 1985 through 1995 before joining the WAC, Big West Commissioner (for 30 years) Dennis Farrell said: "Hawaii certainly does have a great history with the Big West with their women's programs and we have a great affinity for their program and people over the years." (HSA)


HSA Note: "But Farrell said the Big West has a moratorium on expansion and hasn't taken on a new member since 2001-02. If they were willing to add UH, it could come with some form of travel subsidies, which UH doesn't pay in the WAC."


Refusing to speculate on the potential advantages and disadvantages of UH going independent, Karl Benson said:
"those are institutional decisions." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100627_Leaving_the_WAC.html

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Feature article on Mouse Davis being hired by UH

About being considered the architect of the modern run-and-shoot offense, Mouse Davis laughed and said:
"Architect? I once tried to make a door, but I sawed off the wrong side, and it didn't fit. That's your architect." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Davis, who was hired as a UH assistant coach yesterday, is better suited to rebuilding the Warriors' offense. Although his job description is to coach the receivers, Davis' primary function will be to serve as mentor to Nick Rolovich, the Warriors' first-year offensive coordinator."


Happy to be hired by UH, Mouse said:
"I'm happy to be back. I'm good friends with Gregory" - he pointed to UH head coach Greg McMackin - "plus, I like Hawaii. I like the kids. I like Nick. Nick's the right kind of guy. If he weren't the right kind of guy, I couldn't do it. I hope it works out for everyone. What the hell, I hope it works out for me." (HSA)


About how he did not consider having Mouse take the offensive coordinator role from Rolo, Mack said:
"Never. Rolo did a great job. I believe he's a great coach." (HSA)


HSA Note: "McMackin said Davis, offensive line coach Gordy Shaw and running backs coach Brian Smith will contribute to crafting the game plan, but Rolovich will call all of the plays."


About how they will not interfere with Rolo calling the plays, Mack said:
"We don't meddle. If a guy calls the plays, he calls the plays. He doesn't want people talking in his ear while he's trying to call a play. Now, when there's a timeout, he'll talk to several guys, figuring things out. It's a strategic thing. But there's only one guy who makes the (offensive) calls, and that guy is Rolo." (HSA)


About how he welcomes the input, Rolo said:
"if I don't use the resources I have, then I'm an ignorant coach. Mouse is a great coach. I'm going to use him." (HSA)


About Mouse and him, Rolo said that when it comes to offensive theories:
"we're kind of like second cousins." (HSA)


About why he quit being Portland State's offensive coordinator, Mouse said of Jerry Glanville:
"He couldn't stop anyone. He wanted to be able to slow the game down. He wanted (the Vikings) to run the ball more. I said, 'OK, how about this: 'I'll run the ball more, but every time I run the ball more, you blitz.' He said, 'I can't do that.' I said, 'OK, good luck,' and I quit." (HSA)


Asked how he remained healthy at 77 years old, Mouse said:
"What's that?" (HSA)


When the question was repeated, Mouse said:
"What's that?" (HSA)


Mouse then laughed and said:
"Just messin' with you. I ride the bike, and lift weights, light weights. Fifteen-pound weights are heavy for me." (HSA)


HSA Note: "He also finds ways to tinker with an offense that has set passing records at every level. In 2006, Davis encouraged UH head coach June Jones to incorporate the shovel pass into the four-wide offense. That season, the Warriors averaged 559.2 yards and 46.9 points per game."


About how he doesn't mind when coaches make adjustments to his offense, Mouse said:
"That's part of the deal. People have to try to continue to get better. Do they always get better? Not always. Sometimes I'll have high school coaches send me tapes of how they changed the offense, and I'm like, 'Geez. What is that?' But, hey, if they're winning, that's OK." (HSA)


About how he wants people to hold true to the "guts" of the offense, Mouse said:
"It's important that you get the basics, and then you can build off of that." (HSA)


Asked for the name of the offense, Mouse said:
"I kind of call it the run-and-shoot because everyone else does. But I always thought it should be called the double-slot-with-motion offense. That's what I thought. But a newspaper guy told me, 'yeah, that's real catchy.' I just gave up. They called it the Silver Stretch (in Detroit). That's OK. It doesn't matter what you call it. It's still 11 guys trying to get the ball in the offense. Would that be a catchy name?" (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100626_Mouse_back_in_business_in_Hawaii.html

Friday, June 25, 2010

Mouse Davis has officially been named UH's WR coach

Happy to have Mouse Davis as their WR coach, Mack said:
"We're very fortunate to get the architect of the run-and-shoot to come back to Hawai'i and coach our wide receivers. He taught the run-and-shoot to me, June (Jones), Ron (Lee), and everyone else in the country who runs this offense. He's been the single, most influential person in the passing game from high school to the professional level, in my opinion. Nick (Rolovich) will continue to serve as offensive coordinator but its nice to have someone like Mouse to bounce ideas off of." (UH)


UH Note: "From 2004-06, Davis was a member of former coach June Jones' staff as running backs and special teams coach. In 2006, the Warriors averaged 559.2 yards of total offense, 46.9 points per game and finished 11-3 record. UH also led the nation in passing offense (441.3), total offense, scoring offense and pass efficiency (185.95)."


Excited about helping out at UH, Mouse said:
"Its fun to be back at UH and I'm excited for the prospect of helping out the Warriors this season. Greg's been a great friend over the years and I'm excited to be working with Rolo with the offense. I have found that you can be an excellent receivers coach if you are allowed to work with excellent receivers. So I'm looking forward to working with a group of excellent receivers." (UH)


http://www.hawaiiathletics.com/news/2010/6/25/FB_0625102655.aspx

Feature on how Colt Brennan has been supporting Sean Barnum during his recovery

RS = redskins.com
FNN = Football News Now


RS Note: "If you look carefully at Colt Brennan in the picture above, you'll notice that he's wearing a purple bracelet on his right wrist. It's not just a fashion statement. The bracelet reads 'Keep Fighting' along with the letters SRB. Those are the initials of Sean Barnum, a 19 year old in Texas who was stabbed in the heart with a screwdriver last April."


About Sean Barnum's situation when he was stabbed, Colt said:
"He was a high school quarterback, looking to eventually go and work himself into a program somewhere. And I guess he was just a big fan of me when I was in college and -- I guess he wore my number, too -- and his brother-in-law [Justin Jemela] reached out to see if there's anything I could do." (RS, FNN)


About how Sean is a big fan of Colt's, Jemela said:
"Sean said that the first time he saw Colt play in Hawaii, he knew the guy was just awesome. He also told me that he didn't think Colt got the respect that he deserved and, in a way, I think Sean felt that no one gave him the credit he deserved as a quarterback." (FNN)


About how he contacted the Redskins on behalf of his brother-in-law Sean, Jemela said:
"I just wanted to do something that would make Sean smile, so we reached out to the Washington Redskins. Within an hour, they e-mailed and called us back." (FNN)


RS Note: "So, with help from the Redskins community relations department and a bunch of the other Redskins players, Brennan sent down an autographed football, a signed helmet, and a jersey to the family. And where plenty of athletes would've called it a day, Brennan has been trying to do more."

FNN Note: "What Brennan and the Redskins organization have done for this young man is impressive. With the help of the community relations department, Barnum received a football with 22 signatures of noteworthy NFL players. Brennan gave him his signed game day helmet and a No. 15 jersey made especially for him. But that's not all that the young man got – Brennan has given Sean some personal attention."


Jemela told the Katy Times that Colt:
"calls and text messages me almost every day just to see how Sean is doing. He'll even leave voicemails for me to play to Sean with words of encouragement." (RS)


About how it has been hard to talk with Sean but he's been able to get to know his family well, Colt said:
"I've only been able to talk to Sean once. His speech hasn't really come back yet. I've built a rapport with his family and I've kinda really come to admire and respect what he's been going through and what he's had to overcome." (RS, FNN)


About how he's supporting Sean, Colt said:
"I'm calling, I'm wearing the bracelet in practice, and I'm just kind of waiting for him to get better." (RS)


Happy to help with the communication between Sean and Colt, Jemela said:
"Colt Brennan calls and text messages me almost every day just to see how Sean is doing. He'll even leave voicemails for me to play to Sean with words of encouragement." (FNN)


FNN Note: "Brennan has gone above and beyond in my estimation. He could have stopped at the autographed helmet and jersey. He could have stopped at one text message. But he didn't. The things he has done for the young man may have given Barnum motivation and encouragement that can't even be measured. One just never knows."


FNN Note: "What Colt Brennan has done for Barnum shows that football players do have more on their minds than just football. They have foundations and charities and give of their time and money. In the face of a lot of the news that's out there today, let's not forget it."


Asked if Sean's situation puts his own roster struggle in perspective, Colt said:
"It absolutely does. You sit back and you hear something like this and you hear about what he's going through and it's kinda like his life's just been put on hold for a lot of things, until he can get better. You know, it makes you just feel really grateful to be where you are and to be doing what you're doing." (RS)


About the purple bracelet around his wrist, Colt said:
"It's not really my color or anything like that. It doesn't really go with my uniform too much. But if he goes on the internet one day and he sees me out there wearing that bracelet, he knows I'm thinking about him and maybe it'll be some more positive reinforcement for him. He's definitely on the path to the recovery, it's just a very tough and slow path right now." (RS)


http://blog.redskins.com/2010/06/25/colt-brennan-reaches-out-to-a-fan-in-need/

http://www.footballnewsnow.com/2010/colt-brennan-redskins-go-above-and-beyond/

UH will gets its smallest payout from the WAC in at least 4 years

HSA Note: "The University of Hawaii is expecting its smallest payout in at least four years, $950,796, when the Western Athletic Conference sends out checks next week at the end of the fiscal year. For each of the previous three years UH has received at least $1 million from the conference, topped by $4.92 million following the 2008 Sugar Bowl appearance. Of that check, $3.8 million was Sugar Bowl related."


HSA Note: "Athletic director Jim Donovan said the expected drop has been factored into the athletic department's budget, which is estimated to come in approximately $2 million in the red. UH's fiscal year closes June 30. Commissioner Karl Benson attributed part of the drop in disbursement to the fact that Boise State received an at-large Bowl Championship Series bid, which pays at a lower rate than previous berths. In addition the number of shares from the NCAA men's basketball tournament has been declining as bowl costs have risen. The nine-member conference pools some of its bowl liabilities. Costs associated with the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl were expected to be higher with Nevada replacing Hawaii as the WAC representative in 2009. The WAC check also includes the WAC basketball tournament and TV rights fee payments."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100625_WAC_payout_to_UH_takes_dip.html

Mouse Davis will be named UH's WR coach today

HSA Note: "Darrel "Mouse" Davis, 77, credited as the designer of the modern run-and-shoot offense, is expected to rejoin the Warriors' coaching staff, according to people familiar with the situation. Although his job title will be assistant coach in charge of receivers, Davis' primary function will be to serve as mentor to first-year offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich. Rolovich, a record-setting passer for the Warriors in 2001, was UH's quarterbacks coach the past two seasons."


Praising UH's hiring of Mouse, former UH WR coach Ron Lee said:
"The university is very fortunate to get a guy of Mouse's caliber. He's great with the players. He's got so much knowledge. They're getting the architect." (HSA)


Ron Lee said that until the mid-1970s:
"everybody used the I formation." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Lee, who experimented with a one-back formation as Kalani High's coach, was invited to attend Portland State's spring practice in 1975. Later, as Kaiser High's head coach, Lee's four-wide offense helped set several passing records. The Cougars won the 1979 Oahu Prep Bowl."


About how the four-wide offense helped Saint Louis dominate high school football in Hawaii for nearly 2 decades, Ron Lee said:
"It all started with that offense. Everybody was running the ball back then. We didn't have any personnel, and (the run-and-shoot) gave us a chance. Now everybody is using Mouse's offense." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100625_Mouse_back_in_Warriors_house.html

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Chad Owens was traded to the Toronto Argonauts

GAM = Globe and Mail


GAM Note: "The Toronto Argonauts acquired receiver/return specialist Chad Owens from the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday for a fourth-round draft pick in 2011."


GAM Note: "Owens definitely fits a need for the Argos, who lost special-teams dynamo Dominique Dorsey to free agency in the off-season, then had 2010 draft pick Steven Turner suffer an Achilles tendon injury during rookie camp."


Happy that they acquired Owens, Argos player-personnel director Mike Hagen said:
"Chad is an experienced receiver and return specialist who will fill a need for us in the development of our offensive and special-teams schemes. We are excited to acquire a player of Chad's abilities." (GAM)


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/argos-acquire-chad-owens-from-alouettes/article1615967/

Colt Brennan predicts they will have success right away under their new coaching staff

WP = Washington Post


About how he interviewed with OC Kyle Shanahan (who was with the Texans then) when he was coming out of college and Shanahan has since made it clear that he's always been a fan of Colt's, Colt Brennan said:
"That kind of made things easy for me and put me at ease a little bit. They expressed that I have some real talent and I got to really work and get this offense down so I can show that talent." (WP)


Praising how Kyle Shanahan keeps things fun, Colt said:
"What's been a really fun thing was Kyle, him coming in. He's a younger guy, younger coach, and he's unbelievably talented, but he's really easy to interact and be coached up by. He has a great understanding of what it's like to be a player, and the right things to be said to get that player to listen and kind of buy in. He's got a great sense of humor, as well. So there's a great balance of him and his work ethic and keeping [it ]fun." (WP)


WP Note: "Brennan said the atmosphere at Redskins Park is similar to what he's experienced elsewhere when he's been a part of winning teams - specifically during his period of success at Hawaii under then-Coach June Jones - and he predicts "success right away." "


About how their offense will attack defenses just like JJ's offense did, Colt said:
"One thing that is super fun, and the way this is relatable to June's offense, is June attacked defenses no matter what was going on. We always had an answer to some degree. Last year it felt we always had to revolve around what the defense was doing. Well, this year, it's again we are attacking defenses. We are very aggressive. We are trying to score and score a lot. ...It's super exciting, because it's an offense where I get up in the morning, I like coming in, I like learning the new plays, learning the new concepts. I already see so much success at this time of year and compared to the last few years." (WP)


About how 2010 feels like his first season in the NFL, Colt said:
"Basically, I feel I've gained a ton of knowledge of this league and this game, but with me being injured, I feel I haven't felt like myself at all the last two year. Even my first year when I was having success, I was like, 'Wow, this is a little easier than I thought.' And then last year, I was humbled having to get hurt, but also not having the success I had the previous year. So, through it all, I finally do feel healthy, I do feel the closest to myself in a real sense. I feel like this is my rookie year, and I'm coming in and I'm healthy and I have a brand new coach to get used to and a whole new coaching staff to prove myself." (WP)


About how Colt has been working hard this offseason, head coach Mike Shanahan said:
"Every year that you're competing, you're looking for a chance to get some playing time, compete for a position. It's very hard to be a quarterback in the National Football League. He's been working extremely hard to give himself every chance to make the football team." (WP)


http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/quarterbacks/colt-brennan-predicts-success.html

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Newly created UH summer session will help UH football freshman earn 6 credits this summer

How fast is University of Hawaii football recruit Allen Sampson?

HSA Note: "Sampson and nine other football freshmen are beneficiaries of a newly created UH summer session that runs from this week to the start of the Warriors' training camp. UH athletic director Jim Donovan said the players can get acclimated to college, bond with teammates during the offseason conditioning program, and earn credits. The athletic department and Na Koa, the football booster club, are paying for the players' tuition, room and board."


About how the new summer session keeps them busy, including a daily required study hall, Allen Sampson said:
"We have class every day." (HSA)


About how the new summer session helps their freshmen, John Hardy-Tuliau said:
"It's a good transition. This program is going to help us out." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Since becoming UH head coach in January 2008, Greg McMackin encouraged his players to attend one of the school's two summer sessions. The NCAA allows member schools to pay for up to two summer courses per scholarship player each year. But UH's two six-week summer sessions present scheduling conflicts. The first session begins in late May, when many high schools still are conducting classes. That session ends a month before the start of training camp, forcing mainland players to either go back home or pay their own living expenses during the four-week break. Scholarship players only receive room and board during the session they are attending classes. The second summer session, meanwhile, has a two-week overlap with training camp."


About how the second summer session had a 2-week overlap with training camp, Mack said:
"It was hard for players to attend classes, and go through two long practices, film sessions and meetings every day." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The solution was to create a mid-session, which would run up until the start of training camp. The Nagatani Academic Center and the School of Arts and Sciences agreed to coordinate the session. This summer, the session offers only two courses - Speech 151 and Life Skills. Both are certified three-credit courses."


Mack described the mid-session as a:
"bridge between high school and college. It helps them adjust to college. They get to work out and earn six credits." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Only players who gained admission as UH full-time students are eligible to enroll in the mid-session classes. Because enrollment triggers their football scholarships, they are required to undergo physical examinations and attend NCAA orientation meetings. After that, they are allowed to participate in the offseason conditioning program."


Looking forward to participating in their 7-on-7 drills, Sampson said:
"I can't wait to get out there. I'm ready to play football." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The past two years, Na Koa paid for the summer-session scholarships. Because of a cut in funding - the Pigskin Pigout, which generated $100,000 annually, will not be held this year - the UH athletic department agreed to subsidize the summer scholarships."


About the importance of their students having summer school, Mack said:
"This is important. That's why we have mandatory study hall. If you want to compete on the field, you have to compete in the classroom. This is a good thing." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100623_Recruits_schooled_in_summer.html

The USC home opener is helping with season ticket sale renewal

HSA Note: "University of Hawaii football season ticket renewals are running slightly above the 2009 pace, despite the team coming off its first losing season in four years, officials said yesterday. Nearly 18,500 - or approximately 77 percent - of last year's nearly 24,000 season tickets have so far been renewed, UH said."


HSA Note: "Inouchi said the number is expected to rise as UH coaches and players begin annual "call-backs" of ticket holders who haven't renewed. In addition, student, faculty and staff season tickets have yet to go on sale. Inouchi said last year's renewals were at 77 percent after faculty, staff and student sales."


About how the USC home opener has helped with season ticket renewals, JD said:
"I think the attractiveness of the opener with USC is a plus." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Renewals were at 89 percent for 2008, coming off the Sugar Bowl season and the "Backin' McMackin" campaign for new head coach Greg McMackin. They hit a 14-year high of 95 percent in 2007 following the announcement that quarterback Colt Brennan would return for his senior season."


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100623_18000_renew_season_tickets.html

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Feature article about the Student Athletics Fee in UH's Student Newspaper

KL = Ka Leo (UH's student newspaper)


About how ASUH still opposes the Student Athletics Fee that will likely be implemented in Spring 2011, Associated Students of UH (ASUH) President Andrew Itsuno said:
"We are still strongly opposed to the athletics fee because of the process and the timeline the fee is on." (KL)


KL Note: "Itsuno and the board believe the administration did not consider many recommendations made by ASUH, the Graduate Student Organization, the Student Activity and Program Fee Board, and other Chartered Student Organizations."


About how their recommendations were not taken into account, ASUH senator Richard Tabalno said:
"Even recommendations [containing] typographical errors were not changed from last year." (KL)


About how they serve the student body, Itsuno said
"Our goal is to serve the student body so if the fee passes we have to keep the best interests of the students in mind." (KL)


KL Note: "The fee will be $50 per semester for all students, undergraduate and graduate. It will generate $2 million annually and will be used on expenses directly related to student-athletes and not on compensation and benefits for staff. Benefits include student admission to UH athletic events at Aloha Stadium, Stan Sheriff Center and Les Murakami Stadium. 5,000 seats or 10 percent of the seating at Aloha Stadium will be designated for UH Mānoa students. 500 seats will be appropriated for students in the Stan Sheriff and 225 in the Murakami Stadium. Seat allotment for students remains under consideration and may be influenced by student organizations such as ASUH. $100,000, or 5 percent, of the collected fees will be used for a variety of activities for students. This includes transportation to Aloha Stadium, tailgates, pizza parties, increased access to sports facilities for recreation, and prize give-aways. The athletics department would also host a free concert for students. Of the nine athletics departments in the Western Athletic Conference, UH is the only institution that does not have an athletics fee. The fee runs as high as $124.12 per semester at the University of Idaho and as low as $39 per semester at Fresno State. Some schools charge by credit or by quarter."


KL Note: "During 2008-2009, the athletics department generated about $22 million in revenue, 81 percent of its total. The department received about $5 million in university and state support, which equates to 19 percent of the total revenue. The department's operating expenses for 2008-2009 was about $30 million. The department reports that in 2007-2008, the other athletics departments in the WAC generated an average of 50 percent of their revenues and received 50 percent from state appropriations and university support. The athletics department has experienced a deficit every year since 2002, excluding 2007 after the Sugar Bowl. According to The Honolulu Advertiser, the net deficit is projected to reach $10.1 million at the end of this fiscal year, which ends on June 30."


About how she feels that the fee is unfair, incoming junior Jamie Poliahu said:
"Being a student who doesn't attend many of the university's sporting events, I would think it's a fee that I shouldn't be forced to pay. It's unfair for the school to place the fee on all students. It should be optional." (KL)


About how she supports the athletics fee, 3rd-year nursing student Allyson Fujii said:
"Although it is more money, I do support the fee. I did not attend games (last year) because I did not want to pay and get my tickets, but if it's already included, it's easier to go. It will benefit a majority of the students even though everyone may not want it. Just like the bus and other student fees, it's there for us to access what we want." (KL)

http://www.kaleo.org/news/athletics-fee-likely-to-be-implemented-for-uh-m-noa-students-1.2275174

Ashley Lelie is serving as a student manager while he completes his bachelor's degree at UH

About how he can earn his degree at UH this year, Ashley Lelie said:
"Finishing my degree is the main thing. I have a year left. If I can take care of a couple of incompletes, it will be less than that. But it will be good to be around football again. I was starting to miss it." (HSA)


About how he will receive a tuition waiver as a student manager and be allowed to offer advice to the receivers, Lelie said:
"I definitely want to help the team out." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Lelie, who joined the Warriors as a non-scholarship player, had a record-setting collegiate career. The Denver Broncos selected Lelie with the 19th pick in the first round of the 2002 draft, the highest selection of a UH player. In 2002, he led AFC rookies in receiving yards (525). Two years later, he topped NFL receivers with an average of 20.1 yards per catch. But in 2006, he staged an infamous holdout, skipping the Broncos' organized team activities and being AWOL for training camp. At issue was not money -- although missing mandatory training camp forced him to pay back an option bonus -- but his demotion to the second string. During the holdout, Lelie refused to take calls from friends, even forwarding former UH coach June Jones' inquiries to voice mail. He eventually forced a trade to the Atlanta Falcons, triggering the spiraling of a reputation that eventually led to unproductive stops with the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs."


About how he did not handle his holdout properly, Lelie said:
"I don't regret it, [but] I should have done it a different way. There are ways I could have done it to make it look as if I wasn't as selfish. I could have still gone to camp and worked with the team. ... I do regret the way I went about it, but I don't regret feeling the way I felt, and acting on it." (HSA)


About how his holdout set an uncomfortable tone with each new team, Lelie said:
"It was hard for a lot of coaches to get a gauge. All they knew was I was the guy who held out. The first perception of me wasn't right. A lot of guys thought I was a bad guy, a negative type of person they didn't want on their team. The teams I went to (after Denver), like Atlanta, didn't get warmed up to me until it was too late." (HSA)


About how the NFL lost interest in him when he did not put up numbers on losing teams, Lelie said:
"There are a million other wideouts. You get lost in the shuffle. I put it more on that than my ability. I didn't have too many injuries. I still feel fresh. I still feel I can run a low 4.3 (in the 40-yard dash), even today. But there are a lot of guys who can do that." (HSA)


About how he called Rolo, his former teammate, when it appeared his career was over and Rolo encouraged Mack to invite Lelie to serve as a student manager, Lelie said:
"It's time to move on. It's time to get out of purgatory between not knowing what to do. It kind of feels good to have a game plan in my life." (HSA)


About how he would like to teach and is majoring in history, Lelie said that his student manager stint at UH will serve as a "dry run" for possibly coaching:
"I've always wanted to work with kids, maybe mentoring. The first step is to get my degree. After that, teaching and maybe coaching. If it's something for me, I guess I'll figure it out this year." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100622_Lelie_moving_on_by_helping_Warriors.html

Friday, June 18, 2010

The NCAA ruled that the UH-USC season opener can be played

HSA Note: "In sanctioning USC, the NCAA had initially prohibited the Trojans from playing any exempted contests such as the UH game, in 2010 and '11. But yesterday it announced "the Committee on Infractions has delayed the penalty that precludes the University of Southern California from playing a 13th game" with a "one-year deferral." Instead, USC will be prohibited from playing any exempted games in 2011 and '12.


About why they did not want to force the cancellation of the UH-USC game, Stacy Osburn, NCAA associate director for public and media relations, said:
"In making this decision, the committee noted a number of factors, including that the game has been scheduled for at least five years, will be televised, and many fans have already purchased travel packages to the game." (HSA)


Happy that the NCAA ruled this way and avoided causing a huge loss to UH, JD said:
"There was definitely some anxiety over how cancellation would have impacted our season, our ticket sales, our budget and even the state's economy. I'm pleased the NCAA took a look at the whole situation and decided to change their minds." (HSA)


About allowing the game to take place, USC senior VP Todd Dickey said that:
"we want to thank the committee for granting this relief; it recognizes the serious financial impacts game cancellation would have had to the university and state of Hawaii as well as the fans and supporters of USC who have already made travel arrangements." (HSA)


About how the Hawaii Exemption was created to encourage schools to play in Hawaii (and Alaska) to help defray the costs, JD said:
"That's why, to me, it's unprecedented to take away the game." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The schools do not meet in '11 and their '12 game is at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which, for USC, is not an exempted game. USC is scheduled to return to Aloha Stadium in 2013, after the NCAA ban expires."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100618_Opener_vs_USC_is_a_go_NCAA_rules.html

Thursday, June 17, 2010

UH and USC have asked the NCAA to rule quickly on the 2010 opener

About how they are trying to get the NCAA to rule quickly on their opener against USC, JD said:
"These are uncharted waters, so we're trying to alert the NCAA to our position and concerns. We'll be in contact with them," (HSA)


HSA Note: "Donovan said he has been told USC has also been in contact with the NCAA regarding the issue."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100617_UH_USC_asking_NCAA_to_issue_ruling_on_Sept_2_football_game.html

Warrior Quotes from the HSA 6/17/10 (Tiwanak, Cory Daniel, walk for Heffernan's daughter)

HSA Note: "Named after the late actor Charles Bronson, Hawaii football player Bronson Tiwanak was born to step into tough roles."


About how he will enter training camp as their #1 center after the injury to Lefiti, Bronson Tiwanak said:
"I hate to see a teammate go down. I have to step up and do my best. I don't walk around telling myself, 'I'm No. 1.' As far as I'm concerned, it's open competition. I'm trying to work hard every day." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Yesterday morning, Tiwanak made most of the snaps during unsupervised drills. The players coordinate the twice-weekly sessions at Ching Athletic Complex."


About how Lefiti took most of the reps during their 15 spring practices but his recurring left foot problems led to his surgery, Tiwanak said:
"I figured it was something minor and he would be back. But when I found out how long he would be out, I was kind of shocked." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Tiwanak also has endured a long waiting period. After graduating from Damien Memorial School in 2006, he was at Fresno City for two years. In 2007, Bryant Moniz, now at UH, was Fresno City's starting quarterback."


About how he was hard on him when he entered UH in Fall 2008 but could not practice or play because he did not have enough transferable credits, Tiwanak said:
"It was hard to come around and watch other guys practice." (HSA)


About how his last haircut was 3 years ago, Tiwanak said:
"I didn't want to pay for haircuts when I went to the mainland. I wanted to save money, so I let it grow." (HSA)


About how he had to sit out most of the 2009 season after getting walking pneumonia during training camp, losing 50 pounds (he was down to 205), Cory Daniel said:
"I ended up practicing with a 103-degree fever. I didn't know I had a fever. I thought it was the weather. It probably made it worse." (HSA)


Cory Daniel says that he now weighs 240 and:
"my immune system is up." (HSA)


About how he has competed in unsupervised workouts the past 2 weeks despite pain in his right ankle, Daniel said:
"It doesn't matter if I tape it. Internally, it's sore." (HSA)


About how he will get an MRI in the next couple of weeks but wants to put off any surgery, Daniel said:
"I want to hold off and see how it goes during the season. I don't want to miss any more time." (HSA)


About participating in the walk-a-thon benefiting Tommy Heffernan's daughter, Mana Lolotai said:
"It was inspiring." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Lolotai was one of the few Warriors to complete the 38-mile walk from Hauula to the base of Diamond Head."


About how he didn't complete the walk, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"I made it to the Hygienic Store (in Kaneohe)." (HSA)


About people that only made it to Kaneohe, Lolotai said:
"Fourteen miles doesn't cut it in a 38-mile world." (HSA)


About how he also stopped in Kaneohe, Aaron Brown (who wore slippers during the walk) said:
"The bottom of my feet were molded to the bottom of the slippers. It was pretty painful when I took them off." (HSA)


About how it was harder during the downhill portion of the Likelike Highway than the uphill portion, Lolotai said:
"When we got out of the tunnel, it started pouring. My shoes got all wet. I started getting blisters. The craziest thing was going through the tunnel. The sidewalk was maybe a yard wide. We were hugging the wall while cars and motorcycles were zooming along." (HSA)


About seeing the final destination of Diamond Head, Lolotai said:
"Diamond Head was playing mind games with me. You could see it, but it was so far away. It was a good experience." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The group finished in 15 hours. Proceeds will be used to pay tuition to a special-needs school for Heffernan's daughter."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100617_UHs_center_finds_himself_in_a_new_role.html

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Matagisila Lefiti (#1 C) will miss all of training camp due to surgery on his left foot

HSA Note: "It is an untimely setback for Lefiti, who was center John Estes' primary understudy the past two seasons. Estes, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, started all 54 games of his Warrior career. Lefiti, a fourth-year junior in the fall, exited spring ball as the No. 1 center. But because of recurring problems with his left foot, he decided to have surgery."


HSA Note: "Bronson Tiwanak, a walk-on senior from Aiea High, is the immediate replacement. London Sapolu - the son of Jesse Sapolu, a former UH offensive lineman who won four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers - also is in the mix. Sapolu transferred from Orange Coast (Calif.) College in January. Offensive lineman Chauncy Winchester-Makainai, a Kailua High graduate who redshirted in 2009, will audition at center in training camp."


About having Brett Leonard (#1 LG) practicing at C during their unsupervised 7-on-7 passing drills the past 2 weeks, Shane Austin said:
"He's coming along. He's a big body." (HSA)


About how he moved from tackle to guard after last season but is practicing at C just in case he's needed there, Brett Leonard said:
"I'm still doing left guard, but at the same time, I'm learning center in case something happens. It's interesting. I went from tackle to guard to center." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Leonard admittedly struggled during last week's drills, which were coordinated by the players, but did well in Monday's workout."


About how he did well on Monday, Leonard said:
"I only had two or three (bad snaps) out of the whole session. I'll be fine. You want to be aggressive (coming out of the stance), but at the same time, you want to get the ball back before you start doing that. It'll come with experience." (HSA)


About how Leonard is improving his snapping, Austin said:
"It's his first time snapping in a long time. It's just rubbing out the kinks and scraping off the rust. He's getting progressively better. If anything, it's a good way to stay in shape." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100616_Lefitis_start_at_center_on_hold_for_surgery.html

Feature article on Daniel Libre signing with the Edmonton Eskimos

MG = Montreal Gazette


MG Note: "Had more time continued to pass, he was going to go to Japan, just so he could play again. Instead, the running back got a call from his new agent which sent him bolting from Hawaii to Edmonton so he could try to establish a foothold with the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos."


About practicing in Edmonton, Daniel Libre said:
"It's cold here, being from Hawaii, so there's some culture shock, but I like it. I had not run like that for a while. That was a lot of reps today. I can't wait for the pre-season game." (MG)


Impressed with Libre's blocking, Edmonton GM Danny Maciocia said:
"We know what he's capable of doing — with and without the football. He can carry it downfield, unimpeded, but what really impressed us is what he does when he doesn't have the football. He can block, which is so important in our game." (MG)


MG Note: "While the native of the Big Island waited, he secured a major in sociology and a minor in art."


About his year away from football, Libre said (after impression Maciocia and Edmonton head coach Richie Hall with his workout) said:
"A lot of people thought I just fell off the map." (MG)


About how he is hungry to play football again, Libre said:
"I'm so hungry. It was pretty depressing to sit out that '09 season. I saw what the team could do on Sunday and just knowing this is the pre-season for them, I was impressed. I know they're just going to get better and that puts more pressure on me to get better faster. Had I not ended up here, I was thinking about going to Japan. I just wanted to play." (MG)


Asked if Libre will be sharp after missing a year of football, Hall said:
"Will he be as sharp as he would have been had he been playing consistently? No. That curve coming back is a big one but it's just a matter of him coming out and running around. Once he gets the ball, his natural ability will take over. It's just a matter of him getting adapted to what we do, the terminology and the CFL game. I thought he did a good job today. He's got some quickness, some good change of direction." (MG)

http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Esks+prospect+ecstatic+return+gridiron/3158533/story.html#ixzz0qzvMsxNx

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The UH parking auction is expected to raise more than $500k for UH Athletics

HSA Note: "The University of Hawaii sold nearly 85 percent of its available parking passes for Aloha Stadium this fall in one week of an online reverse auction that is expected to produce more than $500,000. Of the 1,825 passes put up for bid on June 7, only about 300 remained yesterday."


Happy with the response from their fans about the parking auction, Vince Baldemor (President of Ahahui Koa Anuenue) said:
"We're very happy with the response. It was a 'win.'" (HSA)


HSA Note: "UH took in $325,000 in parking pass donations last year, but controversy over the process, which left more than 200 people without passes and ran into August, prompted UH to offer online bidding this year. Baldemor said when the supply of passes is exhausted UH will have received more than $500,000."


HSA Note: "Aloha Stadium has approximately 8,000 parking stalls, of which UH controls about 2,900. Fans purchasing Koa Anuenue packages were accommodated before UH put the balance, 1,825, on sale. The stadium holds onto approximately 5,000 stalls for game-day sales at $5 per game."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100615_Parking_auction_to_raise_500000.html

Monday, June 14, 2010

UH Athetlics generated $476k from the parking auction

UH Note: "The University of Hawai'i Athletics Department and 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue announced that all parking passes in two of the three designated lots available to season ticket holders have been allocated after the first week of the reverse auction. All stalls in the Inner Circle and Koa Lot (old bus lot) designated to AKA have been reserved. In addition, as of 12:00 p.m., 318 stalls in the Kam Lot are still available with a donation of $125. Total contributions for all three lots have generated $476,000 for the department to support student-athlete scholarships."


About the money raised from the parking option, JD said:
"I'd like to thank everyone who participated in the auction this year to help AKA support UH scholarships. This significant increase in donations via the new reverse auction approach seemed to work well by all accounts." (UH)

http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2010/6/11/FB_0611104542.aspx

UH offered 2013 recruit Jeremy Tabuyo

SC = scout.com


SC Note: "Jeremy Tabuyo, a 5-foot-11, 173-pound receiver prospect from the St. Louis School in Honolulu, turned heads a couple of weeks ago at Aloha Stadium when he ran a 4.34 40 at the 9th PIAA combine. Clearly colleges were taking notice, and when Tabuyo showed up at Hawaii's annual Skill camp, the 2013 prospect had a chance to wow the UH coaches. Apparently it worked."


About how Mack called him after the camp to let him know they would offer him a scholarship, Jeremy Tabuyo said:
"After the camp I talked to some of the coaches, and then I saw coach (Greg) McMackin. I shook his hand and he said he was surprised by my performance. When I got home I called him just to thank him, and he said that he was going to offer me a scholarship." (SC)


SC Note: "This isn't new for UH, as they've also offered two other 2013 prospects from St. Louis - OL Reeve Koehler and DL Kamalei Correa. Tabuyo, despite the early offer, is still keen on keeping his options open."

About how he's going to take a few trips to mainland camps this summer to get noticed more, Tabuyo said:
"I'm going to the Top Gun camp in Virginia. And then I'm going to a camp called the Junior Rank camp for the top-50 receivers and from 6th through 9th grade. That's in San Diego. And then I'm going to the U100 camp in Los Angeles." (SC)


http://recruiting.scout.com/2/977348.html

USC's Probation might force the cancellation of their opener with UH, costing UH millions

HSA Note: "Included in the sanctions against USC is a prohibition against exempted games. On page 57 of its 67-page report, the NCAA's Division committee on infractions said, "...during the two years of this postseason ban, the football team may not take advantage of the exceptions to the limit in the number of football contests that are provided in Bylaw 17.9.5.2, with the exception of a spring game as set forth in Bylaw 17.9.5.2-(a)." Bylaw 17.9.5.2, the so-called "Hawaii Exemption" permits visiting teams to play one game more than the NCAA maximum if traveling to Hawaii."


HSA Note: "The apparent intent of the committee on infractions ruling Thursday was to keep USC from using the same detour that Alabama took advantage of in 2002 and '03 when the Crimson Tide were slapped with a two-year probation by the NCAA. Barred from postseason play, Alabama instead scheduled a 13th game against UH in both 2002 and '03, taking advantage of the Hawaii exemption to play one more game than the current NCAA limit of 12. The Crimson Tide billed the November games as their "bowl" games for recruiting purposes."


JD said that the difference between this USC game and the Alabama games before is that the USC game:
"was scheduled in 2001, before there were any allegations." (HSA)


JD said that if the game was canceled UH would lose:
"more than a million dollars -- and that is a conservative estimate." (HSA)


HSA Note: "It is the marquee home game on UH's schedule, for which season-ticket sales are currently under way. USC's last three appearances here have been sellouts, and the Trojans have requested 7,200 tickets for this one, which will be shown by ESPN."


JD said that the NCAA will do what:
"they will do what makes sense." (HSA)


JD said that UH is contacting the NCAA but that:
"any appeal will have to come from USC since it is their case." (HSA)


USC's President wrote a letter posted on their school's website that said they will:
"appeal those penalties it believes are excessive." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100614_Probation_puts_USC_game_in_doubt.html

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Article about how the dominoes in conference expansion affect UH

HSA Note: "» The money: Boise State's departure could cost UH television revenue, as the WAC-ESPN deal is certain to be rewritten. WAC members share ESPN's $4.5 million annual payout.

» The games: UH would be forced to scramble to find a football replacement during a period - October and November - when most teams are unwilling to play nonconference games. The Warriors net an average of $700,000 per home game, with gate receipts as much as $1.5 million. And that does not include pay-per-view revenue for home games.

» The conference: The WAC could merge with the Mountain West Conference, pick up other schools from various levels or do nothing at all."


HSA Note: "If the Big 12 suffers significant defections, as expected, it likely will rebuild by pilfering schools from the Mountain West and Conference USA. The Mountain West's Brigham Young University, Utah and Texas Christian would be likely targets. If those three were to join the Big 12, that would open the possibility of the WAC and Mountain West entering consolidation talks. If the Mountain West remains intact, with the addition of Boise State, the WAC could stay put, try to recruit UNLV or San Diego State, or look to invite Division I-AA schools such as Sacramento State and UC Davis."


About how conference expansion/realignment isn't over yet, JD said:
"I don't think the dominoes have stopped." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The new six-year television contract between the WAC and ESPN has a clause that allows for the financial terms to be restructured if the league's composition changes. The $4.5 million annual contract calls for an even split among the nine member schools; the league's office does not receive a cut."


HSA Note: "Donovan said there is a possibility the Warriors, who are permitted to play up to 13 regular-season games each year, might play only 12 in 2011. The Warriors earn a net average of $700,000 per home game in ticket revenue; the scheduled 2010 season opener against Southern California is expected to net $1.5 million. Donovan said the Broncos' departure "impacts the WAC in terms of status in the sport of football." But he noted the Broncos have not dominated the other revenue-generating sports."


Hoping that UH can dominate the WAC like BSU did, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said:
"Boise State has been a premier team. This is an opportunity for UH to really step up. Instead of looking at this as a crisis, we should look at it as an opportunity for UH to be the next Boise State." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20100612_WAC_cracked.html

Friday, June 11, 2010

UH is trying to keep having a big opponent to end the season even after every AQ conference has championship games

HSA Note: "Since the 1920s, when it began playing occasional major-college opponents, UH has made an almost annual practice of closing the regular season against a "name" opponent. Southern California, Nebraska and Wisconsin have made multiple appearances in that slot, while Michigan, Oklahoma and Notre Dame have also appeared. But with the Pac-10 adding Colorado yesterday for an 11th member and the expectation that one to five more might come on board plus the likelihood of the Big Ten going to at least 12 teams, UH is concerned."


About how they are trying to be proactive about keeping the tradition of facing a big-name opponent to end the season, JD said:
"It is something we're looking at, trying to be proactive with." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Under NCAA rules, conferences with 12 or more teams may hold championship games. They usually take place the first week in December, which ESPN annually bills as "championship week." For UH, the problem is that slot is usually when it plays a "name" nonconference opponent to conclude the regular season. In recent years, for example, UH has closed against Wisconsin (2009), Cincinnati (2008), Washington (2007), Oregon State (2006) and Michigan State (2004) at Aloha Stadium."


About trying to still schedule Pac-10 and Big 10 teams to end their seasons, JD said:
"We're trying to find a way to keep the (Pac-10 and Big Ten) conferences in the mix." (HSA)


HSA Note: "One proposal under study, Donovan said, would be to strike a deal whereby the conference agrees to send a designated representative here. That way if, for example, Wisconsin qualified for the conference championship game, a division runner-up would come in its place."


JD then said:
"Either that or we could take out insurance on the (opponent)." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100611_UH_faces_scheduling_quandary.html

Tommy Heffernan will walk from Hauula Elementary to Diamond Head to raise money for his daughter

HSA Note: "In a version of a walk-a-thon, Heffernan seeks to travel from Hauula Elementary School to the base of Diamond Head to raise money to pay for tuition at Variety School. Heffernan's 8-year-old daughter, Hilina'i, suffers from hypotonia, a condition that results in neuromuscular deficiencies, impacting speech and motor skills. Neurologists have recommended that Hilina'i enroll in Variety School, which specializes in students with special needs. She was accepted to the school, but the Heffernans can't afford the estimated $20,000 tuition."


About making this long walk to raise money for his daughter, Tommy Heffernan said:
"We go on walks daily. It's our time together. This walk is dedicated to her. We're trying to get her into that school." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100611_Heuns_offseason_training_includes_MMA_fight.html

Jake Heun will fight in an MMA bout on Saturday

About his upcoming MMA bout, Jake Heun (who wants to have a career as an MMA fighter after football) said:
"It's something to do in the offseason to keep me in shape. I've got to start getting ready for life after football." (HSA)


About how he supports Heun's MMA participation, Mack said:
"It's not dangerous if you win. This is something he really wants to do. I support his decision." (HSA)


HSA Note: "There are ties between the UH football program and MMA. UH linebacker Cory Daniel and defensive back Parker Paredes have competed in MMA matches. David Pa'aluhi, a linebacker who is transferring to UH from Oregon State, also has fought. But Heun might be the first to compete while still an active Warrior."


About how the coaches want him to focus on football starting in July, Heun said:
"I was working out with the guys at UFS, and I told them I was looking for a fight, and they got me one. The coaches are cool with it. They want me to get it out of the way. Once July rolls around, I can get back into the football thing." (HSA)


About competing in the heavyweight division (205 to 265 pounds) rather than try to drop to a lower division, Heun (who weighs 235 pounds) said:
"I could have tried to cut down to 205, but with football, it would be tough to put back on the weight. I can't play middle linebacker out there at 205." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Heun said his workouts have focused on boxing, kick-boxing, wrestling and jiu jitsu. With his wrestling background in high school, Heun is most effective in the "ground-and-pound stuff." But he expects to rely more on standup techniques against Poti."


Heun said that at this level:
"these guys are really good with jiu jitsu. You don't want to get caught. You want to keep on your feet." (HSA)


About how he will not jeopardize his football eligibility, Heun said:
"It's a different sport. There's no NCAA championship (for MMA). I'm going to be an amateur, anyway." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100611_Heuns_offseason_training_includes_MMA_fight.html

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Bryant Moniz is trying to regain the trust of his teammates

About running sprints by himself 15 minutes after their 7-on-7 passing drills yesterday morning, Bryant Moniz said:
"I'm trying to do extra work." (HSA)


About how he needs to regain the trust of his teammates, Moniz said:
"There were a lot of people looking to me to step up and play good and lead the team. I let a lot of guys down doing that—on the team, off the team, my family members." (HSA)


About apologizing to his teammates at their final team meeting of the spring, Moniz said:
"It was hard to face your teammates and apologize for not being there. It was rough, but I got through it. I'm very sorry." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Moniz said he has tried to keep fit by working out up to three times a day. He trains with his girlfriend's brother and several former high school classmates at Leilehua. He now weighs 207 pounds, 15 more than at the end of the 2009 season. On Monday, the Warriors started their summer conditioning program, which includes unsupervised 7-on-7 drills. Moniz yesterday participated in his first team passing drills since his leave."


About being away from the team for so long, including the last 3 weeks of spring practice, Moniz said:
"It was hard, like an injury.You never know when the gam e is going to be taken away from you. I had a lot of time to think. It was rough being away, but it gave me time to get straightened out, and get myself ready to come back out here." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Moniz, who will be a fourth-year junior this coming season, has been told he will receive a football scholarship in August. In the meantime, he continues to work delivering pizzas in Mililani. He also is set to begin a job as a Waikiki beach boy next week."


About trying to get his teammates behind him again, Moniz said:
"I'll just come back and resume my role on the team, whatever that is. ... I'll still be the same person I was when I first walked on, when I was third string." (HSA)


HSA Note: "McMackin has said that Moniz, Shane Austin, David Graves and Brent Rausch are grouped in the "first tier." Those quarterbacks will split most of the reps early in training camp. McMackin said the plan eventually is to give most of the reps to the top two quarterbacks."


About competing for the starting job in training camp, Moniz said:
"I like the challenge. Shane and Dave and all of the other guys are doing a really good job. I'm a lot further behind. I have to catch up. I've been there before. I know what I've got to go through." (HSA)


HSA Note: "During yesterday's session, Moniz admittedly struggled. After his first pass sailed wide, a teammate said, "Rusty." But he said his right (throwing) arm is better than it was last season, when he suffered from arm "fatigue." "


About yesterday's 7-on-7 workout, Moniz said:
"I don't think I threw any passes over 10 yards. My arm feels good. I had a lot of rest, a lot of strengthening my shoulder." (HSA)


About having Moniz participate in their workout yesterday, David Graves said:
"It was good to see B. We didn't see him for so long. He looked good." (HSA)


About the scrutiny that QBs are under, Moniz said:
"It doesn't bother me. The way I look at it, people are going to make judgments. I'm still going to be me. I'm going to play ball the way I play ball." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100610_Regaining_the_Trust_of_the_team.html

UH won't lose any scholarships for the APR for the first time in 6 years

HSA Note: "All 18 teams surpassed the multi-year benchmark by which the NCAA measures academic retention, progress and graduation for athletes for the 2008-09 academic year, according to an NCAA report. In previous years UH's football, baseball and men's basketball teams were docked scholarships for failing to meet minimum standards or at risk. Four years ago the football team was docked five scholarships, while men's basketball and baseball received lesser penalties."


Happy that they will not have any APR penalties, JD said:
"While I'm pleased with the overall effort, we can't rest on our laurels and we'll work hard to do better." (HSA)


About the APR improvement, JD said:
"I think the improvement is a credit to an ongoing collaborative culture from the coaches, staff and athletes emphasizing the importance of athletics. (associate athletic director) Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano coordinated sport-specific plans for improvement." (HSA)


About how men's basketball had a perfect score of 1,000 for a second consecutive year, JD said:
"That's a reflection on coach (Bob) Nash and his dedication to academics." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Eight UH sports—men's basketball, men's swimming and diving, men's tennis, women's cross country, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, women's volleyball and water polo—hit perfect single-year 1,000 scores, the school said."


About UH's APR improvements, UH faculty athletic representative Peter Nicholson said:
"We are getting closer to our goal of raising our all-team APR into the upper 50th percentile (nationally)." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Meanwhile, UH said it is expecting improvement from men's golf (909), men's volleyball (896) and women's golf (917), which all had poor single-year scores but will not face sanctions yet because their multi-year numbers were still above the 925 benchmark."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100610_A_first_UH_passes_academic_test.html

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Article about Solomon Elimimian with the BC Lions

VS = Vancouver Sun


About how he felt like a lost soul after he was cut from the camp of the Buffalo Bills last season, Sol Elimimian said:
"Football's our passion. It's something we love doing. When you don't have that in your life for a great amount of time, you definitely miss it. You have a greater urge to go out there and make plays when you get the chance. I didn't realize how quickly it could be gone — until last year." (VS)


About how Elimimian, Alabama-Birmingham's Joe Henderson, and NFL veteran Dennis Haley (who they traded for) see the opportunities to earn spots on the team, defensive coordinator Mike Benevides said:
"They can see that there are jobs available. We're going to carry three or four import linebackers this season. We only have two guys who are considered veteran imports — [wide-side linebacker] Anton McKenzie and Haley. Dennis has an advantage because he started four games in our league. But he hasn't nailed down anything yet." (VS)


About how he was out of football last season after being on the Butkus Award watch list during his senior season at Alabama-Birmingham in 2008, Henderson said:
"I'm kind of a 'tweener, an undersized linebacker [for NFL purposes]. I'm kind of somewhere between a safety and a linebacker." (VS)

About how his roommate Henderson is excited about his opportunity to play, Sol (who has had to sit out of practices and will miss their preseason game on Sunday due to his injured hamstring) said:
"Joe's definitely excited. When you haven't played for a year or a couple, like we have, it definitely is. It's something we all love doing. It's a joy to be out there, making plays. It's our passion. I missed it last year, and I'm missing it now." (VS)

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Lions+rookie+Solomon+Elimimian+impresses+camp/3133442/story.html

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

David Veikune credits his weight loss for his improved play during OTAs

NH = News-Herald

NH Note: "Veikune waddled to the scale near the shower area of the locker room last fall and when the dial stopped spinning it registered he weighed 270 pounds. He looked like the guy on the midnight shift at the donut shop whose idea of three square meals a day were glazed, powdered and custard-filled. This spring, Veikune not only looks like a football player — he is moving like one. He is in the crowded but unsettled pack fighting for playing time at inside linebacker. He has dropped almost 20 pounds and worked his butt off in the offseason to become stronger."


About how he was too heavy last season and is in better shape now, David Veikune said:
"I'm definitely in better shape. Any rookie going through the combine, your pro day and all those things your body never rests. Then you come in here and get going right away. Now I'm in the low 250s. Last year I was way too heavy." (NH)


NH Note: "The coaches spent training camp last summer and most of the season figuring out where Veikune should play. He was too light to play defensive end in the 3-4 defense, so it came down to inside linebacker and outside linebacker. That experiment did not work, so this season he is strictly inside."


About how Veikune has benefitted by the increased reps he's been getting, head coach Eric Mangini said:
"I believe David's really benefitted well from some opportunities that have been created at the inside linebacker spot without having D'Qwell (Jackson) here. He's gotten quite a few reps, and I think he's done a nice job. I think some of the value with linebackers really has to be determined once the pads come on. Part of playing that inside linebacker spot is your ability to go up and thump, and I think that's something David showed in college. He showed different levels last season, but this is good work for him in terms of processing everything. Now ideally when it comes time to hit, it's where the added value comes in." (NH)


NH Note: "Veikune and Chris Gocong lined up with the first-team linebackers Monday. Scott Fujita has also worked inside. Last year, the opening-day starters were D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton. Both were injured during the first half of the season. David Bowens started the final nine games and Jason Trusnik the final six inside. Jackson, unhappy the Browns won't budge from their one-year contract tender, has boycotted the OTAs and is threatening to skip the mandatory minicamp beginning Thursday. Barton is not practicing because he is recovering from neck surgery. Bowens is in his 12th season, so Mangini isn't about to wear him out in June."


About how he felt "lost" last season, Veikune said:
"The whole yea.Even though I studied and stuff, it was still like night and day. I got some pieces of it, but this year everything is slowing down a lot more. I'm still studying everything. You just have to be a smart player." (NH)


http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/06/08/sports/nh2608107.txt

Boise State discusses their annual attempt at getting into the MWC

IS = Idaho Statesman


About how the MWC keeps turning them down every year, Boise State President Bob Kustra said:
"I'm reminded of Charlie Brown every year getting his football out and Lucy sets it up and reassures him this is the year she's not going to pull it away and, of course, she does." (IS)


About how he won't give up on trying to get into the MWC, Kustra said:
"What it really showed was what an eternal optimist Charlie Brown was. He never gave up. I guess that's the way I feel." (IS)


About how the door is not closed yet this year, Kustra said:
"The opportunity has not been lost." (IS)


IS Note: "If Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson is in favor of adding Boise State as Kustra told the Statesman he was on Monday evening, then the latest disappointment could be the last for the Broncos. Thompson said he gave the presidents his recommendation on expansion, but would not divulge his advice to the public. The commissioner called Kustra after the presidents opted not to vote on expansion, his only such call. He equated the weekend meetings to unfinished business, likening them to a cliff-hanger on your favorite television show. "To be continued," Thompson said should be the takeaway from Jackson."


About how they may invite BSU later this month, MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said:
"I don't think the door's closed (on Boise State)." (IS)


About the geographical problem for adding Iowa State, Thompson said:
"Iowa State and San Diego are a long way apart. You're not just going to put the women's volleyball team in a van and drive to San Diego." (IS)


IS Note: "The WAC was so confident that Boise State was leaving for the Mountain West that it scheduled a press conference to discuss their departure days ago. Even when the invitation didn't come, commissioner Karl Benson spent 30 minutes fielding questions about potential replacements for the Broncos."


About how the WAC expected to lose BSU yesterday, Benson said:
"No one would have been surprised today if an invitation had come from the Mountain West or if Boise State had accepted it." (IS)


IS Note: "Thompson said the league would consider expansion again before the end of the month, in recognition of Boise State's July 1 deadline to exit the WAC without additional penalty."


http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/08/1222199/still-room-for-optimism-among.html

Conference Realignment makes things uncertain for UH and the WAC

About how the situation in college football is uncertain right now, UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"At this point, the landscape is really unknown because there is a lot of uncertainty with the different conferences." (HSA)


Asked what that means for UH, Hinshaw said:
"Only time will tell as everyone goes through their process." (HSA)


About Boise State possibly leaving the WAC, JD said that until last week:
"it was probably 90 to 95 percent that the MWC would invite Boise (yesterday)." (HSA)


WAC commissioner Karl Benson said that he expects Boise State to be invited by the MWC:
"much sooner than later." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Benson suggested the WAC might push back the July 1, 2010, deadline by which the Broncos can tender their resignation for 2011 in exhange for a stiffer buyout clause.


About how the rumors of the Pac-10/Big 12 combination have created significant confusion, MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said:
"Given the uncertainty in the intercollegiate landscape and the potential for significant shifts in the immediate future, the board did not make a decision to expand at the present time. The MWC will continue to monitor developments. ..." (HSA)


About the MWC not inviting Boise State yesterday as had been expected, Boise State President Bob Kustra said:
"The MWC's decision not to expand is understandable at this time of uncertainty in intercollegiate athletics. The most appropriate action at this juncture is to wait and see how the variables unfold." (HSA)


About the rapidly changing scenarios for conference expansion/realignment, Benson said:
"We're in a very, very volatile time." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The Pac-10's silence on overtures from UH has told the Warriors where they stand on that front. And the nine Mountain West schools that bolted from past associations with the WAC and UH have previously cited travel time and expenses as making the Warriors a less-than-desirable partner."


About how it is uncertain which school might be added to the WAC, Benson said:
"there might be some (schools) out there not yet on our radar screen." (HSA)


HSA Note: "For perhaps the first time in its 48-year history, the WAC is looking at the real possibility of adding teams directly from the former Division I-AA, now known as the Football Championship Subdivision. Boise State and Idaho are among the former I-AA teams the WAC has taken on, but both had achieved I-A status before joining the WAC.

Although Benson has declined to specify which ones the WAC might consider now, Montana, UC Davis, Sacramento State, Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) and Portland State have frequently been mentioned as possibilities. But there is currently an NCAA moratorium on elevation to FBS status and none of them could be on board as full-fledged Football Bowl Subdivision members before 2012, Benson said, or be eligible for a bowl bid until 2013."


About Boise State being in the WAC, Hinshaw said:
"I certainly enjoy having Boise State in the WAC." (HSA)


About how the craziness going on right now with conferences and schools, Benson said:
"The poker playing that is going on is unprecedented." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100609_Who_Will_Take_The_Bait.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100609_Changing_landscape_could_mean_a_much_different_WAC_footprint.html

UH settled its lawsuit with Daniel Smith over recruiting

HSA Note: "The University of Hawaii has agreed to an undisclosed settlement with a former high school football recruit who sued the school claiming it reneged on a scholarship offer in 2008. Daniel Smith of Boise, Idaho, alleged that the school did not fulfill its promise of a scholarship when it changed head coaches from June Jones to Greg McMackin in a case that took on national implications."


Daniel Smith's lawyer, Mark Valencia, said about the settlement:
"my estimate is that the settlement will be reduced to writing sometime within the next two or three weeks. Those are the only details I can provide about the settlement." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100609_Player_UH_settle_lawsuit.html

Monday, June 7, 2010

David Veikune's progress this offseason is praised by Cleveland's head coach

WFNY = Waiting for next year


Praising the progress that David Veikune has made due to his increased opportunities at ILB, Cleveland head coach Mangini said:
"I believe that David's really benefited well from some opportunities that have been created at the inside linebacker spot without having D'Qwell [Jackson] here. He's gotten quite a few reps and I think he's done a nice job." (WFNY)


WFNY Note: "Most individuals selected in the second round of the NFL draft are looked to to be instant impact players - even more so for a rebuilding franchise. Selected with the 20th pick in the round out of Hawaii, thoughts were that Veikune could provide some much-needed rushing on the outside of the Browns 3-4 defense. Spending most of his time on the defensive line for the Rainbow Warriors, Veikune earned conference honors for his production. But when Veikune would stumble out of the gates during his transition to the next level, he would fail to record a single statistic for the 2009 season. The only catch for Veikune's transition is that he is presently being used on the inside of the 3-4 as opposed to the outside where most defensive ends would transition."


About moving Veikune from DE in college to inside LB, Mangini said:
"I don't think it's unusual. For one, for the team to go through the process of figuring out where the right spot is, and then you know sometimes its better inside, sometimes its better outside. Tedy Bruschi was a defensive end who worked primarily in sub his first year and then we moved him in, when we got to New England, moved him into an inside backer spot." (WFNY)


WFNY Note: "Bruschi has many similarities to Veikune. Both players were Pac 10 pass-rushers, both were selected outside of the first round in their respective drafts, and both were transitioned to linebacker. But this would be where the similarities currently end. Bruschi played every game as a rookie in 1996, albeit mostly on special teams. He would play in every game during his second season as well. Other players mentioned by Mangini include Willie McGinest, Mike Vrabel, and Rosevelt Colvin – all of whom were pass-rushing linebackers.

Fortunately for Veikune, the absence of the veteran linebackers ahead of him have provided him extra opportunities to become more comfortable with Rob Ryan's defense."

My Note: Veikune played in the WAC, not the Pac-10, while he was at UH.


Hoping that Veikune's progress continues through to the contact-based drills, Mangini said:
"I think some of the value with linebackers really has to be determined once the pads come on. You can see where they fit, you can see their drops, you can see their communication, but part of playing that inside linebacker spot is your ability to go up and thump and I think that is something that David showed in college. He showed different levels last season, but this is good work for him in terms of processing everything." (WFNY)

About how the ability to play both OLB and ILB may help Veikune get more playing time this year, Mangini said:
"The nice thing is the 3-4 is pretty flexible. When you have guys that can play both spots, you can become more flexible with where you can put them and how you move those pieces around. That's something I'm always looking for." (WFNY)


http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/?p=29442

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Parking passes for Warrior games go on auction tomorrow morning

HA Note: "UH will conduct a "reverse auction" among season ticket holders to sell passes for approximately 1,800 coveted parking stalls for the 2010 football season. It hopes to raise as much as $600,000 to help reduce an annual deficit that has been running at approximately $2 million per year. UH said it will put up for bid nearly 800 stalls in the inner circle, 445 in the Koa lot and 555 in the Kamehameha Highway lot. Prices will start at $400 for the inner circle, $350 for the Koa lot and $300 for the Kamehameha Highway area and be reduced by $50 per day until the allotment is sold."


About how they aren't sure how quickly the parking passes will be sold out, Vince Baldemor, President of 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue, said:
"We don't know how many (to expect) but there will definitely be a number of people who want to make sure they don't have to worry about it for the rest of the week." (HA)


http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100606/SPORTS0201/6060348&template=UHsports