Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Warriors' offseason conditioning program officially starts this morning, but they have already been working hard to prepare for the season

About how UH's offseason conditioning program officially begins with this morning's 6:30am weightlifting session, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"we never stopped training." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The NCAA permits strength/conditioning coaches Tommy Heffernan and Grant Steen to lead the offseason training in cardiovascular and weightlifting sessions. Because the program is supposed to be voluntary, attendance is not taken. Coaches are not allowed to be present during unsupervised workouts involving a football, leaving it to the players to coordinate passing drills."


Tuipulotu said that offseason workouts:
"are very important, This is when you prepare your body for training camp. This is the time to get bigger, faster, stronger." (HSA)


About how Tommy Heffernan gave each player a computer code to access a training itinerary for the summer, Promise Amadi (who is enrolled in 2 bridge-session classes beginning in early July) said:
"I've been going over that." (HSA)


HSA Note: "In addition to UH's program, Amadi is going through a workout program he devised as a Chino High sophomore two years ago. He does three sets of 40 crunches, 30 leg reaches and 60 military-styled crossover stretches. Twice a week he runs up and down the bleachers at Chino High. He also has switched to a high-protein diet."


About his training goal, Amadi (who was at 8.5% body fat a couple of months ago) said:
"I want to get down to 6 percent body fat." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Mike Edwards, a highly regarded cornerback, will move to Hawaii in mid-July when he completes a final class needed for an associate's degree. He has received an acceptance letter from UH. Edwards played eight games for Tennessee as a freshman in 2009 before getting into legal trouble."


About how he's been working hard to prepare for UH, Mike Edwards said:
"I've been training for the last six months straight. I've been working on speed and weight training." (HSA)

"My biggest improvement is my overall body composition. I gained over 20 pounds this offseason." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Edwards, who now weighs 190, can bench press 305 pounds — an increase of 35 pounds. He said he works out 4 hours every morning, first running hills or on a track, and then lifting weights."


About how he's been pain-free for awhile after undergoing surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder last fall, Kevin Spain said of his plans for unsupervised passing drills:
"I'm going to let it fly." (HSA)


About training in Hawaii all summer, Spain said:
"I'm going to be here the whole summer. I'm ready to work hard." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110531__Warriors_on_the_clock_as_workouts_begin.html

Friday, May 27, 2011

Wonderful story about Jacob Patek earning a contract with the Hartford Colonials

About how he had been working outdoors as a surveyor for national gas pipeline, often surrounded by deer, turkeys and hogs, Jacob Patek said:
"I enjoyed it." (HSA)


About how he ran a slow time in the 40-yard dash at UH's 2008 Pro Day, where he was not prepared because he had been trying to complete work on his bachelor's degree, Patek said:
"I had so much pressure. I wanted to train and stop going to school, as bad as that sounds. I ended up not doing well in school and not training. I threw it all away." (HSA)


HSA Note: "But Greg McMackin, UH's newly hired head coach, extended Patek's scholarship, allowing him to earn his degree (in history) in December 2008. Then Patek trained in Arizona under Chad Ikei, received a do-over invitation to the 2009 Pro Day, and did well enough to earn a tryout in the Canadian Football League. An injury led to his release, and that appeared to be that.

The past December, he ran into Jerry Glanville, his UH defensive coordinator in 2006. Glanville said he might be considered for a coaching job in the United Football League. They promised to keep in contact."


About how he suggested that Patek attend a tryout in Houston for the UFL's Hartford Colonials, Colonials head coach Jerry Glanville said:
"I knew Patek was good, but I never said a word to my assistant coach (Bill Bradley). I didn't want to give any special treatment." (HSA)


About how Patek shut down the inside receivers in the drills, Glanville said:
"Bill Bradley was high on him. The slots never caught the ball." (HSA)


About how Patek then blew them away with his 40-yard dash time, Glanville said:
"The first time, Patek ran 4.41. I always make them run it twice, in case you miss something the first time." (HSA)

"I didn't think he could run 4.41, but he ran it twice. I knew that was legit." (HSA)


About how he accepted Glanville's offer of a free-agent contract, then got into his car and had his emotions come out, Patek said:
"I started to cry. I'm not going to lie. It was something. I give the glory to God." (HSA)


About how Patek's hard work paid off, Glanville said:
"He did it on his own. This is what happens when you work hard." (HSA)

http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com/2011/05/26/a-storybook-beginning/

UH has discussed home-and-home deals with Notre Dame and Wisconsin

Asked if they have discussed home-and-home deals with Notre Dame, JD confirmed:
"We've had some discussions with Notre Dame, but nothing has materialized at this point." (HSA)


JD said that the dates under consideration with Notre Dame:
"are out toward 2017, '18 ... or beyond. Wisconsin is in the same boat in it is something that is being considered." (HSA


HSA Note: "UH last played the Fighting Irish in the 2008 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, and all three of its meetings with Notre Dame have been at Aloha Stadium, where UH is 0-3. A Notre Dame spokesman declined comment. The Warriors are 1-5 against Wisconsin, with all but a 1987 game played here."


About how UH is interesting in home-and-home deals, JD said:
"We're interested in playing quality teams on a home-and-home basis as long as the math and the date and seasons work out." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110527_UH_talking_with_Notre_Dame_Wisconsin.html

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Feature on Scott Harding--UH may want him to play this season instead of starting in January

SMH = Sidney Morning Herald


SMH Note: "Former Lion and Port Power player Scott Harding has become the latest Australian to play American Football – but only the second who will not play as a kicker.


About changing from Australian Rules Football to going to play for the Warriors, Scott Harding said:
"When I finished up with Port last year I did a bit of training with Pro-Kick with Nathan (Chapman) and Johnny Smith and they pitched me to a few colleges and Hawaii came back and gave me a trial. I loved it… growing up and watching playing with the Lions and Port. I've always thought I could give it a go and I knew I could match it with the best so I decided to give it a go." (SMH)


About how UH is trying to get him to play *this* season, Harding said:
"The scholarship starts in January next year but they are trying to get me over a little earlier so I can take part in this season coming up, which starts in September, so we're trying to get me over there in August this year." (SMH)


About how the UH scholarship is his best chance to get to the NFL, Harding said:
"The guys say that if you can actually attend college football over there it's a great entry zone into the NFL because it's the first place the NFL looks at for recruiting and especially for the division one teams. If you've got the academic side written up and you can attend a div. one college (like Hawaii), that's the best way to go about it they say, so I've been lucky enough to be able to do that. I did a 40 yard test in 4.4 seconds so that's kind of up there with the receivers in the NFL draft… so that's kind of what caught their eye, I think." (SMH)


About the position he will play for UH, Harding said:
"They call it wide receiver or slot receiver… it's more of a running position or a skill position. It's pretty much the position where the quarterback lines it up and throws to you and you've obviously catch and try and make as many yards as you can. They saw me in the trial and obviously saw my speed and my hands and liked what they saw." (SMH)


About how he went to Grammar School with Karmichael Hunt, who went from rugby to the AFL, Harding said:
"Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps and we can have a good chat about some code-changing when we're older." (SMH)


SMH Note: "Hunt greeted the news on Twitter: Yeh boi! RT @twselwood: Scotty Harding officially off to University of Hawaii to become a wide receiver! Expect a visitor. @scooter_h38"


About how others in Australia could get a chance to make it to the NFL like he will try, Harding said:
"That's the great thing about this is that hopefully it opens up a lot of doors for some other guys who possibly think they have the goods as well and thought that maybe there's no pathway. If guys think they can have a crack, there's definitely a way to do it now, and not just as a punter." (SMH)

SMH Note: "He suggested Melbourne's Liam Jurrah and Hawthorn's Liam Franklin would be perfect for running and catching positions in American football, and burlier types such as Brisbane's Jonathan Brown could excel at tight end or defensive end."


About how there are others in Australian football that could make it in American football, Harding said:
"The good thing about Australian sport is there's such a variety of positions so hopefully we see a few more." (SMH)


http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/latest-aussie-gridiron-recruit-will-not-kick-on-20110527-1f7ij.html

Feature article on how Scott Harding will be the first Australian WR in US football when he joins UH

ABCAU = ABC (Australia)


About being invited to try out for UH last year after he was delisted by Port Power, Scott Harding said:
"I've always known I could run (fast). During my AFL days I knew I had that all the time. I love watching NFL. I saw all those running around and always thought I reckon I could do that. It took me five years of AFL to realise I can have a crack at it and there is actually a pathway there to do it, through Prokick. So that kind of sparked it.  Obviously the speed caught everyone's eyes over there and they thought 'he can catch as well'." (ABCAU)


About how he has privately been coaching Harding for a year, Prokick Australia's Nathan Chapman said:
"We have handled Scott's transitional phase of the game very professionally. He will be the start of a number of ex-AFL players coming to us wanting to transition into American Football in positions other than punter. College football is the perfect lead-up for breaking into the NFL.  Scott's fitness and strength program has been specifically designed for him to perform at College football as a wide receiver, punt returner and running back." (ABCAU)


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/27/3228562.htm

Davone Bess continues giving back, now by digging ditches and laying tile in Costa Rica

SFSS = South Florida Sun-Sentinel


SFSS Note: "Since his first days as a Dolphins long shot in 2008 Bess has labored to established himself as one of the team's hardest workers, consistently being the first person on the practice field catching passes 15 minutes before its start, and one of the last ones off."


SFSS Note: "That work ethic hasn't just helped Bess gain league wide respect as one of the NFL's top slot receivers. It's motivated him to take the team's young receivers under his wing, running a grueling offseason training program for them. It's also inspired Bess to spend the past two weeks in Costa Rica, where he's been swinging a machete chopping trees, digging 200 yards of drainage ditches, and laying tile for the people of Canitas as part of a Global Volunteers crusade. Bess and about a dozen other volunteers have been helping the people of Canitas, a small northern town located in the Monteverde Region, prepare for the rainy season."


About digging ditches in Costa Rica and his other volunteer efforts, Davone Bess said:
"I had an epiphany one night. With all I've been through on and off the field God has put me in a position to be a difference maker and to change lives. If I can help someone make a difference and impact someone's life I want to do that to the best of my ability." (SFSS)


About putting together a charity basketball game to help raise funds for sports programs in his hometown of Oakland, CA, Bess said:
"I wouldn't be here without sports." (SFSS)


About how he plans to speak at a South Florida school ever week and have his Bess Route Foundation sponsor and mentor college-bound students, Bess said:
"If I inspire one life that's enough. And often times these kids inspire me." (SFSS)


SFSS Note: "For instance, the children in Canitas, whom Bess brought soccer and football supplies courtesy of his sponsorship with Adidas, has helped him pick up more Spanish than he learned taking classes in high school, and living in South Florida the past three years. He plans to work on becoming more fluent. The manual labor he's been doing has also helped him stay fit during the NFL's lockout."


About the hard work they have been doing in Costa Rica, Cathy Cunningham (an Arizona native who has become friends with Bess on this missionary trip) said:
"We've all been doing an incredible amount of physical labor, and Davone and the guys have been leading the way. They've been chopping down trees, digging the drainage ditches and all kinds of stuff. Davone hasn't been a celebrity. He's not on vacation. He's been one of the hardest workers." (SFSS)


About wanting to give back and inspire kids, Bess said:
"Once I set my mind to something I go hard at it. With my story and what I've been through I'm able to give back and give kids a message about who I am and what I overcame. If I can do it, you can do it too. If I can make a difference so can you." (SFSS)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-marlins/fl-miami-dolphins-davone-bess-0528-20110526,0,4147885.story

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Colt Brennan chose the UFL as a way to keep his NFL dreams alive

WE = Washington Examiner


About choosing the UFL over his other options, Colt Brennan said:
"Naturally, after the accident, I've been making phone calls and doing as much work as possible to figure out the best path to start over. I still want to play football. Obviously, I'd love to play in the NFL, and I've had a lot of adversity with four surgeries. I was looking into Canada. I was looking into the NFL, and then the UFL became a real great opportunity for what they've done the last two years." (WE)


WE Note: "He'll compete with another former NFL passer, Josh McCown, for playing time. McCown was the UFL's top-rated passer in 2010."


About how the UFL will keep his NFL dreams alive, Colt said:
"It's a great opportunity for guys to have a chance to play at a high level of competition and keep their NFL dreams alive. I'm excited to play football again." (WE)

http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/cheers-jeers/2011/04/getting-nfl-way-ufl

Coordinators Nick Rolovich and Dave Aranda will receive pay raises

HSA Note: "Rolovich, who leads the offense, and Aranda, who guides the defense, each completed his first full year as coordinator. Each earned an estimated base salary of $130,000 for the 2010-11 academic year. In addition, each received a bonus equal to one month's salary for the Warriors' participation in the 2010 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl."


About proposing the raises to JD, Mack said:
"I wanted to be able to take care of my coordinators. They're both doing a great job. I recommended that they both get raises and bonuses so we can keep them around." (HSA)


HSA Note: "UH's pay range for football coordinators is between $116,640 and $203,688 annually. A spokesman for the Board of Regents said approval was not needed from the school's governing body because the new salaries did not exceed the pay range and the contract was not for more than three years. All UH football assistants are on one-year contracts."


About how UH could not afford the raises that he asked for, Mack said:
"We're not in that price range. At least our guys know we're trying to take care of them, and that we recognize what a great job they're doing." (HSA)


About being offered a raise and incentive clauses in the contract that UH is offering him, Aranda said:
"I want to be in Hawaii as long as they'll allow me to be. I'm excited they're asking me back, and they want me to do my job. I'm committed to doing my job better." (HSA)


About how he feels that Mouse Davis will return as WR coach this year, Mack said:
"I had dinner with him the other night, and unless something unforseen happens, he'll be back." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110525_Rolovich_Aranda_will_get_pay_raises.html

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Alex Green signed deals with both Topps and Panini America, will get his card included in their sets

About the $10,000 he's getting from both Topps and Panini America for having his card included in their trading-card sets, Alex Green said:
"I'm just going to hold on to (the money). I'm not going to buy anything." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Green was among 35 players invited to participate in the five-day NFL Rookie Premiere, which concluded Sunday. The past two Heisman Trophy winners — quarterback Cam Newton and running back Mark Ingram — also attended. The event, conducted in Los Angeles, enabled invited rookies to meet with corporate advertisers. Green received an appearance fee of $10,000."


About putting his Packers uniform on for the first time, which happened during a photo shoot, Green said:
"It was a great feeling to put on the jersey and helmet of the Super Bowl champions. It was definitely special." (HSA)


About being given several of his rookie cards, Green said:
"It was fun to see my picture and read my bio. Hopefully, somebody will want to collect my cards." (HSA)


About how he grew up collecting Barry Sanders cards, Green said:
"I collected Barry Sanders cards. I would buy them and put them in a folder. I have six pages of Barry Sanders cards. I still have them somewhere. I have to find them. I hope somebody didn't sell them or throw them away." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110524_Hes_seeing_some_green.html

Sunday, May 22, 2011

UH marketing is advertising its 2012 entry into the MWC,even with one season to go in the WAC

HSA Note: "The Warriors, who have one final season in the Western Athletic Conference, their home for 32 years, are running a full-page ad in a prominent preseason publication touting their impending Mountain West Conference membership that begins July 1, 2012. In the ad, quarterback Bryant Moniz is posed on the beach, football in hand, looking through sunglasses at the ocean, which is emblazoned with "Mountain West on the horizon in 2012" under a sun that contains the MWC logo."


About the first MWC regional edition of Lindy's football preview (where UH's ad will run), MWC associate commissioner Dan Buterly said:
"This is the first time in Mountain West history we will have a leading national publisher produce a Mountain West-specific preseason college football magazine." (HSA)


About making the first MWC-specific preseason college football magazine, Lyn Scarbrough (marketing manager for Lindy's) said:
"We felt like it was merited, fans deserved it and the conference earned it on the field." (HSA)


About running the $4000 ad, UH associate AD John McNamara said it was a:
"great opportunity for us to get some nice regional exposure for the program and tout the fact that we are going into the MWC and, at the same time, promote our (state)." (HSA)


About advertising the MWC in Hawaii even when they have a year left in the WAC, McNamara said that:
"it is never too early to get people excited about our future. The thing we really want to push in season-ticket (sales) is the inference that even though the MWC is a year away, now is the time to get your seats in the locations you want in preparation for the first year in the MWC." (HSA)


About how people should buy season tickets this year so that they will have good seats when UH joins the MWC, McNamara said:
"Even though we are looking forward to a phenomenal final season in the WAC, it is a good time to lock in seats for the first season in the MWC." (HSA)


About advertising in the MWC-specific magazine, McNamara said that:
"we want (prospective recruits) to turn the pages and say, 'Hawaii is coming in, great!'" (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110522__UH_marketers_turn_eyes_toward_the_future.html

Saturday, May 21, 2011

UH and BYU signed an agreement to try to play each other in football through 2020

HSA Note: "The University of Hawaii and Brigham Young University signed an agreement last week intended to keep them playing each other in football almost annually through 2020. The three-page document is sprinkled with contingencies and the kinds of terms — "tentative" and "preferred" — you don't usually find in such contracts and, at one point, says they will meet "in either 2014 or '16." "


About how both UH and BYU want to schedule each other, UH associate AD Carl Clapp said:
"These games are something we really wanted, and so did they." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The problem when the Mountain West invited UH was that nobody was sure whether the MWC would be playing an eight- or nine-game schedule beginning in 2014. That won't be decided until next month — at the earliest— when the Board of Directors is scheduled to meet. If it is a nine-game schedule some years, such as '14, UH would already be fully booked. In addition there are some years, even with openings, UH could end up with seven road games and just six home games. Or, by MWC mandate, be required to keep certain months exclusively for MWC scheduling."


About how the effort they putting into scheduling BYU will be worth it, Clapp said:
"Nothing was easy. But it will be worth it." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/ferdswords/20110521_Hawaii_and_BYU_build_flexibility_into_renewal.html

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Preseason Magazines like the Warriors this year

HSA Note: "Among four annuals scheduled to hit the newsstands this month, one (Lindy's) has the Warriors winning the WAC and three others see them no worse than a tie for second place in the conference.

If that holds up, coming off a 10-4 tri-WAC title, it would be a far cry from 1993, 2000 and 2008, when UH followed up titles with 6-6, 3-9 and 7-7 finishes, respectively."


Picking UH to finish the regular season 10-3 and only losing to Nevada in the WAC, Athlon wrote:
"Nevada and Hawaii appear to be the best two teams in the first year A.B. (After Boise), though Fresno State and Louisiana Tech could make things interesting." (HSA)


Phil Steele wrote about UH:
"Nevada and Hawaii were both co-champs with Boise and figure to be the favorites in '11." (HSA)

"Hawaii returns Bryant Moniz and probably has the most explosive offense in the league." (HSA)


Lindy's wrote about UH:
"With most of the league's teams starting from scratch, Hawaii is the one to beat." (HSA)

"if the offensive line is a collection of fifth-year castoffs not ready for prime time." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110515_preseason_magazines_favorable_to_warriors.html

Saturday, May 14, 2011

JD mentioned how playing on Sundays would be costly for UH

About how they are looking at having college football on Sundays if there is an NFL lockout, ESPN spokesman Michael Humes said:
"We are optimistic that everything will get resolved. We are evaluating a number of alternate programming scenarios to minimize the impact of potential lost games." (HSA)


About how the WAC would consider playing on Sunday if ESPN asked, Karl Benson said:
"I think we would always consider it (a Sunday date). We've played some Sunday games in the past, at ESPN's request." (HSA)


About how it would be expensive for UH to move games to Sunday, JD said:
"I'm not saying it would be impossible (to play on Sunday) but it would be costly to make those kind of changes." (HSA)

Note: JD is correct since moving games to Sunday at the last minute would make it hard to change flights to/from Hawaii.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110514_wac_would_sub_for_nfl_on_sundays_if_espn_asks.html

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Western Kentucky wants to come to UH in September, not December, when the 2012 game is pushed back to 2018

About how their game in Hawaii in 2018 will probably be in September instead of December, WKU senior associate athletic director Todd Stewart had this to say:
"Stewart added that WKU is looking to reschedule the contest, and is looking at the 2018 season as a possible solution for the Hawaii trip. The game won't be played in December, he said, but more likely in September of 2018, possibly the season-opener that year." (Bowling Green Daily News)

http://bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/05/12/sports/sports2.txt

Update on former Warrior QB Greg Alexander

PPD = Petaluma Press-Democrat


About the role that a QB has on a football team, Greg Alexander said:
"You have to be part of the team, and yet you have to be above the team. You can go out with the guys, but you have to leave by 10 to get your rest. You can watch game film and everyone can see who made the mistake, but you can't say anything. If you do, you'll lose everyone in the room. The absolute worst thing a quarterback can do in the huddle is mumble when he calls a play." (PPD)


PPD Note: "Someone like Alexander, the former Piner quarterback, the SRJC quarterback who set a national junior college career record with 71 touchdown passes, who at Hawaii led the nation in total offense after three games in 2009 (446 yards a game) and was second in passing (411.3 yards per game)."


PPD Note: "This Thursday at Stanford Alexander, 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, will undergo his 10th operation on that knee. Alexander isn't sure exactly what the surgeons will find. Neither are the docs. Bone spurs appear to be in there. It should take six to eight months to completely rehab."


About how they still don't know how to fix his knee after 10 operations, Alexander said:
"It could turn into reconstruction." (PPD)


About how things feel when they are going well on the field, Alexander said:
"Everything slows down. You are hitting guys in stride. Every time you touch the ball you know you're going to score." (PPD)


PPD Note: "He said he'll try pro football next year, if his knee responds. If it doesn't, he'll try landing a graduate assistant coaching job at an university and go from there."


About his love for football, Alexander said:
"You never want to get off the field." (PPD)

http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20110418/COMMUNITY/110419444/1371/COMMUNITY02?Title=Catching-up-with-Greg-Alexander

South Alabama replaced Western Kentucky for the final UH game on the 2012 regular season

Note: This means that the nonconference home schedule for UH in 2012 is South Alabama (transitioning to D-IA but not eligible for bowl games yet) and Lamar (D-IAA).


HSA Note: "UH said WKU agreed to play UH in a future game, possibly 2018, and help secure a replacement for 2012 in exchange for moving the game. Under the terms of its contract, WKU would have been obligated to pay UH $500,000 had it pulled out without finding a replacement."


Explaining why Western Kentucky canceled their game at Aloha Stadium on 12/1/12, Western Kentucky spokesman Chris Glowacki said:
"There were a few reasons, the most pressing being not wanting to make the trip to Honolulu so close to the week of final exams. Also, should we qualify for a bowl in 2012, we could be looking at a trip to Hawaii, final exams and a bowl game all within the span of about two weeks, since the New Orleans Bowl is played in mid-December." (HSA)


HSA Note: "South Alabama was an unclassified NCAA member in 2010 and will be a Football Championship Subdivision member in 2011 and transition to FBS in 2012."


About how UH will basically be their bowl game since they are not eligible to go to a regular bowl game, South Alabama Athletic Director Joel Erdmann said:
"We're not bowl eligible (in 2012), so for us it's like a bowl that's been built into the schedule. We are tremendously excited about this game, as it will be the last in our journey to full NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and Sun Belt Conference membership. We are fortunate that the trip will be financed by (UH). ... We encourage our fans to clear their calendars and join us for this memorable trip." (HSA)


HSA Note: "UH said South Alabama is to receive the same travel package as WKU: $125,000, airfare for a 100-member travel party, 60 hotel rooms, use of two buses and a truck."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110512_warriors_switch_sun_belt_opponents.html

Friday, May 6, 2011

UH will stay on the mainland between the Colorado and UNLV road games, saving at least $95k but losing the classroom days

About how they cannot help the loss of missing classroom days because they need to save money, JD said:
"I don't want to get into this missing class time is worth so much way of looking at everything, but in light of the fact we already know we are going to have a revenue shortfall because of losing Western Athletic Conference revenues (in 2011-12) we just want to be very, very careful on the expense side. I'm not saying this sets a precedent or means anything past this particular decision, but the one decision makes the most sense for us now, saving us a minimum of $95,000." (HSA)


HSA Note: "UH has missed an average of 18.6 days of school each of the past three years, including 20 last year. The Warriors have gone 3-3 in games when they have stayed over on the mainland in that span. Donovan said a tutor will travel with the team to Seattle and two more will join the Warriors in Las Vegas.

UH associate athletic director Carl Clapp estimated the athletic department will forfeit approximately $775,000 in WAC year-end revenue next year as a result of its departure from the conference. It is WAC policy that exiting teams lose their final year's share of disbursements."


HSA Note: "Clapp said the football team expects to spend $502,010 in airfare for its 2011 flights, about $23,000 more than it spent to go to identical destinations (Seattle; Las Vegas; Ruston, La.; San Jose, Calif.; Moscow, Idaho; and Reno, Nev.) in 2009."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110506_uh_will_save_95000_keeping_warriors_on_the_mainland.html

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The teams being left behind in the WAC want to keep UH's, Fresno's, and Nevada's share of BSU's money

HSA Note: "The $1.09 million question in the Western Athletic Conference at the moment is who will get the spoils of Boise State's departure from the league."

HSA Note: "At stake for UH, Fresno State and Nevada is approximately $136,250 each."


About how the 5 teams being left behind in the WAC want to keep UH's, Fresno's, and Nevada's shares of Boise State's money, JD said:
"There was much debate." (HSA)


Asked about the controversy, Karl Benson said:
"I'm not going to speak to it. It is something that will be determined by the WAC Board of Directors." (HSA)


HSA Note: "It is WAC policy that departing members forfeit the disbursement check of pooled revenues (TV, tournaments, sponsorships etc.) from their final year in the conference, as UH, Fresno State and Nevada will in 2012. But the schools that will remain after the departures apparently want to hold onto the Boise State money to help mitigate the loss in revenue from all four departures. Meanwhile, UH, Fresno State and Nevada apparently contend they are entitled to the shares and will leave their own money on the table next year."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110503__Schools_fleeing_WAC_fight_for_money.html

Undrafted Warriors have to wait for the NFL lockout to end to get their shot at the NFL

About how he cannot sign a free agent contract right after the NFL draft like other undrafted players in past years, Mana Silva said:
"I'll have to wait." (HSA)


About how several teams contacted him during the final day of the draft, with the Kansas City Chiefs saying in an e-mail that they would sign him to a free-agent contract if he was not drafted, Laupepa Letuli said that now:
"It's up in the air." (HSA)


About how he's continued his training schedule, Rodney Bradley said:
"I have to stay in shape. Right now, pretty much like everybody else, I'm waiting on the lockout." (HSA)


About how he was healthy last season even though his stats were down significantly, Bradley said:
"I know I was confident.  I don't know how confident the play-calling was in me." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110503__Warriors_left_waiting.html

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Portland Tribune feature on Alex Green

PT = Portland Tribune


About getting a phone call from Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson with 4 minutes left on the clock for the #96 pick, Alex Green said:
"They immediately called me. He asked, 'How is your day going?' and I said 'Good' and then he said, 'It's about to get better.' And I thanked him for the opportunity. It was definitely a surprise." (PT)


HSA Note: "The one twist in this whole scenario: He had never visited or officially spoken to the Packers organization as a real possibility. He had reason to believe that the New England Patriots were going to call his name, because Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien flew to Portland to see him work out at Cleveland High on Wednesday, the day before the draft began."


About how he thought he might be drafted by the Patriots and never visited of officially spoke to the Packers, Green said:
"I knew I had a slight chance of going in the third round, because the Patriots had a couple picks in the third round. But they selected a different running back (Stevan Ridley, LSU).  I found out later that the Packers head coach (Mike McCarthy) was at my pro day. And I had spoken to the running backs coach (Fontenot) at the combine." (PT)


Asked to describe the moment of being drafted and the anticipation leading up to it, Green said:
"Can't really describe how I feel. I want to thank the great Lord for the many blessings. (Also) my family for the courage, friends for the confidence and the great town of (Portland) for the support." (PT)


Asked how he handled things leading up to the draft, Green said:
"The NFL draft is nerve-racking. Not knowing what team or city you will end up in. It's all been a great experience. I was just trying to play it cool and not let it get to me too bad. My mom was more nervous than I was." (PT)


About how he just realized how the lockout affects him now, Green said:
"Hadn't thought about it much at first. But now that I'm a part of the league and everything, it's a pretty big distraction. We can't do what we love until something is worked out. I'm just ready to get to work." (PT)


Asked what Packer fans should expect from him, Green said:
"I'm coming in confident, but with a lot of respect. I need to learn the ropes and learn from these guys (veteran teammates). And once I get my chance I'm going to lead by example on the field." (PT)


About how he'll actually participate in the first NFL game he sees live, Green said:
"I've never seen a live NFL game. The first one I see I'll be playing in." (PT)

http://portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=130424064782677200

UH is prepared for 8- or 9-game MWC conference schedules

HSA Note: "UH athletic director Jim Donovan said, for the time being, "we can go with either eight or nine," adding the Warriors have held off filling some slots for 2014 and beyond while they await the outcome of the MWC's decision.

UH has some flexibility, with four nonconference opponents — Washington, Oregon State, Colorado and BYU — listed for 2014. A fifth game originally scheduled as a nonconference contest, Nevada-Las Vegas, becomes an MWC game."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110501_mountain_west_torn_between_8-_and_9-game_football_slates.html

Greg Salas was drafted by the Rams in the 4th round, Kealoha Pilares by the Panthers in the 5th round

About being drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 4th round, Greg Salas said:
"Awesome. I knew there would be some receivers going in the fourth round. I knew I would be one of them. I'm ecstatic right now, really happy." (HSA)


About being drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick of the 5th round, Kealoha Pilares said:
"It's exciting. I'm so thankful for the opportunity. Not so many people get to be drafted. I'm definitely grateful." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Salas was the 112th selection. Last year's corresponding selection — running back Joe McKnight, by the New York Jets — signed a four-year contract that included a signing bonus of $572,000. Pilares' 2010 corresponding pick — tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, by the Rams, at No. 132 — received a signing bonus of $215,512. In standard NFL contracts, only the signing bonuses are guaranteed."


Asked what he will do with his first paycheck, Salas said:
"Bank it, probably." (HSA)


About his son Greg being drafted, Mark Salas referred to Greg's hard work and said:
"Justification. The Rams are getting a motivated player. Greg treats every play like it's his last down. He's always worked hard." (HSA


Praising Salas during ESPN's telecast of the NFL draft, Trent Dilfer said:
"The one thing about Salas is he's a guy you can trust. We talk height, weight, speed, get-open separation. Quarterbacks want guys they can trust. You can trust Greg Salas." (HSA)


About how the Rams had indicated that they would draft Salas in the 3rd round but took Boise State WR Austin Pettis instead, his Mom Teri said:
"It was a bummer because we thought he would be picked there." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The gathering was rescheduled for yesterday. Although the ESPN telecast would not start until 9 a.m. Pacific time, some family members begin showing up at the Salas house at 3 a.m."


About getting a call on his cell phone after the first 14 picks of the 4th round, Greg Salas said:
"The (Rams') general manager called me. I didn't know if they were going to pick a receiver, because they picked one the round before. I was happy my phone was ringing, and the wait was over." (HSA)


Rams GM Billy Devaney told Salas:
"We're going to make you a St. Louis Ram. Would that be OK?" (HSA)


About what happened when he told his family about the call, Greg Salas said:
"Everybody was screaming. Mom was crying. My dad was happy. He's a huge Rams fan." (HSA)


Thanking the rest of the Warriors program, Salas said:
"I want to thank everyone in Hawaii — Kealoha, Mo (quarterback Bryant Moniz), the linemen, the other receivers, the coaches." (HSA)


About how Hawaii will always be an important place in their family, Mark Salas (who went with his wife on Greg's UH recruiting trip in January 2006) said:
"Hawaii will always be special to our family. It's very special to Greg. Hawaii won't be our last destination. Hawaii will always be our first destination." (HSA)


About how he came back from his partially torn PCL in his left knee to impress scouts at UH's Pro Day, Kealoha Pilares said:
"After I got hurt, there was a little doubt. I met some great people on the way who really gave me some positive energy. They made me look at my injury in a totally different way." (HSA)


About how Dave Austin (Shane Austin's father who is a motivation counselor who works with several pro athletes) helped him, Pilares said:
"He helped me get through it. In life, you're going to face adversity. That's exactly what it was." (HSA)


HSA Note: 'Pilares was the state's Offensive Player of the Year in 2005. He signed an agreement to attend the Air Force Academy. But after a few weeks at the prep academy, he requested a leave. He then contacted UH coach Rich Miano."


About how Rich Miano helped him transfer to UH to walk-on, Pilares said:
"He really helped me out. If it weren't for that guy, I don't know if I would have been at the University of Hawaii." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Pilares paid his way during the fall 2006 semester, then went on scholarship in January 2007."


About how playing RB in 2007 and wideout in 2009 after Rodney Bradley got hurt helped him as a slotback last season, Pilares said:
"Playing wideout helped me out with the coverages when I went back to slotback as a senior. Being a running back helped me with the blocking. It's been a full circle. It's weird how things worked out. But in the end, they worked out." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110501_slots_hit_the_jackpot.html