Sunday, January 30, 2011

Kendrick Van Ackeren so far prefers UH's scholarship offer to Washington's grayshirt offer, specifically citing positive UH blog and message board messages

ST = Seattle Times

About how he enjoyed his visit to Washington over the weekend, Kendrick Van Ackeren said:
"It was good. I had a good time. It was pretty chill." (ST)


About how he's still committed to UH despite the grayshirt offer from Washington that he got during his recruiting visit, Van Ackeren said:
"Right now, I don't think it did. Obviously I have a couple of days to think about it a little bit more. Right now I think I'm going to stick with my decision." (ST)


About how the UH blogs and message boards were happy when he committed to UH, Van Ackeren said:
"I definitely appreciate what they (Hawaii) offered me. But, more than that, it's the feel I got from them. I feel the love from down there. Even though I'm not there yet, through the blogs and things like that, I can see that they really want me." (ST)


About how he's going to finalize his decision over the next few days, Van Ackeren said:
"The next couple of days I'm just going to relax and think about it, sit down with my mom a little bit, sit down with my coaches a little bit and just go over the details and make sure that I'm making the right decision." (ST)


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/highschoolsportsblog/2014085927_bellevues_kendrick_van_ackeren_1.html

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The debate over a new stadium has started again...the State says it will take 10+ years for any new stadium, requiring $10 mil/year more

HW = Honolulu Weekly


About how the state is evaluating again if they should renovate Aloha Stadium or build a new stadium, Aloha Stadium manager Scott Chan said:
"We are asking to have the 2005 Scope Assessment Study updated. The pertinent information will assist the governing body to make necessary financial decisions regarding the future of Aloha Stadium." (HW)


About how Aloha Stadium is competing for money among a lot of other capital-improvement needs, Sen. David Ige (Chairman of the Senate ways and Means Committee) said:
"If money is no object, building a modern stadium would make sense. But if it is going to cost several hundred million dollars, I would have a hard time justifying it against all the other needs." (HW)


About Aloha Stadium, Ige said that it is important to make the required:
"investments to keep the facility useful and functioning. Anything beyond repairs to address health and safety will have to be balanced against all other needs." (HW)


About how he hopes that Aloha Stadium officials will aggressively pursue a partnership with a private developer instead of rely on tax dollars when they have a $1 bil budget deficit, Rep. Marcus Oshiro said:
"We may have to have an honest and open discussion on the option of a public-private partnership. It is something we may want to pursue. Any amount of capital-improvement money spent on the stadium is money we will be taking away from the University of Hawaii, public school classrooms and state hospitals. But at this point, I will support plans to spend some money on repairs to address health and safety improvements at the stadium." (HW)


About how he called for the updated study on building a new stadium vs. renovating the stadium, Bruce Copps (interim director of the state Department of Accounting and General Services) said:
"It is something we are going to take a hard look at. I want to be able to look at the dollars and spend them wisely. Whether it's rebuilding or partnering, we are going to take a look at all of the options and make the right decision." (HW)


HW Note: "To that end, the beam-by-beam study from 2005 pegged the cost of building a new stadium at nearly $300 million. By comparison, it showed the cost of renovating the stadium exceeding $150 million. It also estimated that it would take at least 10 years to build a new stadium. Based on that outlook, state officials have said a new stadium would need to bring in $10 million more a year in revenue to pay the annual debt. At the moment, Aloha Stadium costs about $8 million annually to run, and generates between $7 million and $8 million a year."


About how they have focused their first rounds of Aloha Stadium renovation on health issues such as the new roof, Kevin Chong-Kee (Chair of the Aloha Stadium Authority) said:
"To this point, the best bang for our buck has been addressing the public health and safety repairs. With the return of the Pro Bowl and the University of Hawaii football program entering into the Mountain West Conference, it's time for the state to decide and address the needs of a 36-year-old stadium in these financially troubled times or to fund and build a new stadium." (HW)


About how the NFL is closely monitoring the repairs at Aloha Stadium, NFL  Senior VP of Events Frank Supovitz said:
"The State of Hawaii has kept us well-informed on the plans for, and the renovations at, Aloha Stadium. We look forward to playing in an improved building this year and an even more improved one next year." (HW)


About how he thinks a new stadium should be built, Herman Stern (President of the Honolulu QB Club) said:
"I believe that we have to think big. In my opinion, we should build a new stadium and go after major national and international sports events that can be played here." (HW)


HW Note: "Across the country, cities are scrambling to get a bigger slice of an amateur sports pie estimated between $6.5 billion and $7 billion annually, says Don Schumacher, executive director of the National Association of Sports Commissions in Cincinnati. His organization was founded in 1992 with 15 sporting commissions and authorities. Now it is made up of more than 400 member organizations representing 300-plus cities competing for sporting events."


About the explosion in the amateur sports market, Schumacher said:
"This industry has gone from nothing to $7 billion in the last 20 years, and it keeps growing right through the recession. It's not going to go away because the competitions need to take place." (HW)


About how he doesn't think that just repairing Aloha Stadium would bring in a lot of major sporting events, Oshiro said:
"I am not completely sold on the notion that if you fix up the stadium, major sports events will come rushing in. I am doubtful that alone will draw more national sports events here." (HW)


About how the struggling economy makes it hard to come up with the money to build a new stadium now, Brandt Farias (Executive VP of marketing and communications at First Hawaiian Bank, the largest advertiser at Aloha Stadium) said:
"While many would like to build a new stadium, I think that given the economic reality of the day, at least in the short term, renovating the existing facility is a prudent way to go." (HW)


About how he feels that it is a better use of tax dollars to build a new stadium than renovate Aloha Stadium, Lowell Kalapa (President of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii) said:
"It is a waste of taxpayer dollars to renovate the stadium. It's better to rebuild and start from scratch if it can be a revenue-producing property." (HW)


Asked for his position on the stadium debate, JD diplomatically stated:
"My preference is to do the most cost-effective solution. That is what we owe the taxpayers of Hawaii." (HW)

http://honoluluweekly.com/cover/2011/01/aging-aloha-stadium-in-urgent-need-of-a-make-over/

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

RB Jared Leaf committed to the Warriors!

About switching his commit from SJSU to UH, Jared Leaf said:
"I've followed Hawaii for a long time. I have family out in Hawaii." (HSA)


HSA Note: "By choosing the Warriors, Leaf is withdrawing an oral commitment he made to San Jose State. He said he notified Spartans coach Mike McIntyre of his decision. Leaf scored 2,030 (out of 2,400) on the SAT. He received offers from Navy and Army. He also was recruited by Cornell, an Ivy League school that does not offer athletic scholarships."


About playing LB or RB, Leaf said:
"It doesn't really matter. I'm happy to be given an opportunity to play." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110125_Warriors_land_California_RBLB.html

Monday, January 24, 2011

BCS payout to Conferences for the 2010 football season

2011 BCS Payouts

-- Automatic qualifier conferences $145.2 million

-- Non-automatic qualifier conferences $24.72 million
AQ Conferences

-- Big Ten, Pac-10, SEC $27.2 million

-- ACC, Big 12, Big East $21.2 million

-- Total: $145.2 million

Non-AQ Conferences

-- Mountain West $12.75 million

-- WAC $4.05 million

-- Conference USA $3.34 million

-- Mid-American $2.64 million

-- Sun Belt $1.94 million

-- Total: $24.72 million

Others

-- FCS conferences $2.25 million

-- Notre Dame $1.7 million

-- Army $100,000

-- Navy $100,000

-- Total: $4.15 million

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-01-24/sbj-bcs-payouts-grow-along-with-big-shares-for-big-six-conferences

Tavita Woodard, Promise Amadi, Justin Vele, and Kendrick Van Ackeren commit to the Warriors!

» Kendrick Van Ackeren, a safety from Bellevue High who was named the Seattle Times' 3A Washington state defensive player of the year,

» Chinedu Amadi, a slotback from Chino (Calif.) High who goes by his middle name, Promise, and

» Justin Vele, an all-state linebacker from Farrington High. Vele told the coaches he made a "soft commitment," and will solidify it Feb. 2, the first day recruits can sign national letters of intent.

Van Ackeren's commitment came a week after his visit. The other three players' commitments came at the completion of their UH recruiting trips.
About why he wants to play for UH, Tavita Woodard said:
"I wanted to come back home, basically, and be with the family." (HSA)

Note: DE/LB Woodard went to Kahuku as a freshman before transferring to McKinley and played for Eastern Arizona this year.  He said that he's 6'4" and 255 pounds, runs the 40 in 4.64 seconds, has a bench press max of 335 pounds and can bench 225 pounds 25 times. He redshirted at Eastern Arizona and then played for them in 2010 (7.5 sacks), so he has 3 years to play 3 seasons for UH.


About turning down offers from Nebraska, Kansas State, Iowa State, Nevada, Central Florida, and Bowling Green, Woodard said:
"I'm happy to come back home after two years away." (HSA)


About how he'll get his associate's degree at the end of this semester, Woodard said:
"I'll be there in May." (HSA)


About how he decided to go to UH, Kendrick Van Ackeren said:
"I decided to make my decision. I'm going to Hawaii." (HSA)

"I felt like Hawaii is the right place to be. The coaches were great. The players were awesome. I like the school and everything about it." (HSA)

HSA Note: "Van Ackeren said he had offers from UCLA and Idaho. Van Ackeren said he is 6-1 and 205 pounds. He can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds, and bench press 270 pounds. He is projected to compete at weak-side linebacker at UH."


About switching from his commit to NMSU last week, 5'10", 185-pound Promise Amadi (who runs the 40 in 4.55 seconds) said:
"Coach Mack made a good impression on me. I'd love to play for him and Coach Rolo (offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich)." (HSA)

"I like the system a lot. And I like the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of some great Hawaii players." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Amadi is a senior at Chino High, which is former UH slotback Greg Salas' alma mater. Amadi said he will compete at slotback for the Warriors."


About his recruiting trip to UH, 6'1", 230-pound Justin Vele (who was OIA East Defensive Player of the Year and received offers from Washington, Colorado, and SDSU) said:
"I'm from here, so it was nice to experience the aloha spirit." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Vele said he "grew up with the Warriors," and that he is related to several former UH players. Among his relatives are Vince Manuwai of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wayne Hunter of the New York Jets."


About how he constantly writes and wants to pursue a career in journalism, Vele said that the topic for his next story will be:
"The (recruiting) trip." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110124_Warriors_pick_up_4_recruits_including_3_defensive_players.html

Sunday, January 23, 2011

LB Kendrick Van Ackeren committed to the Warriors!

About why he committed to UH, Kendrick Van Ackeren (Washington state 3A Player of the year who won three straight state championships with Bellevue) said:
"It felt right. The campus is solid, the program solid, and the weather can not be beat." (rivals.com)

Note: Van Ackeren said that UCLA kept telling him that they were going to offer him a scholarship, but they never did so.


Happy for Van Ackeren, Bellevue Assistant Coach Danny Razore said:
"The Warriors are getting a 3 time State Champ, a great leader, and an amazing young man. We are so happy for him." (rivals.com)


About how UH will use him at OLB, Van Ackeren said:
"I will be used as an outside linebacker in Hawaii's defensive scheme and that is fine with me. I will put on some good weight but I will be ready." (rivals.com)


http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=1179653&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=

Friday, January 21, 2011

UH football had $4.71 mil in ticket sales in 2010, up $200k from 2009 (thank you USC!)

HSA Note: "The Warriors' 10-3 regular-season finish in 2010 attracted $4.71 million from sales of home individual game and season tickets, up from $4.51 million in 2009, UH said. Premium fees were not included.  It was the most since 2007, when the Warriors, who went 12-0 in the regular season, produced $5.84 million in ticket revenue on the way to a Bowl Championship Series loss to Georgia. This year UH averaged 33,835 through the turnstiles, compared with 32,519 in 2009 and 41,325 in 2007."


JD said that UH mad $200k more in ticket sales over 2009 because of:
"the USC game and the fact we had a long losing streak (six games) early in 2009 before rallying back." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The Warriors' season opener with then-nationally ranked Southern California and its new coach, Lane Kiffin, drew 41,766 to Aloha Stadium and produced net revenue of $1.1 million, according to UH.  It was most of any home game in UH's history, helped by the attendance of an estimated 8,000-10,000 Trojans fans."


About how their revenue is down due to the economy, JD said:
"Although we're seeing positive signs (in the economy), it may be a while before we get back to where fans are attending more events." (HSA)


About how they might make a low 5-figure profit from the Hawaii Bowl (UH gets a $375k stipend from the WAC for the bowl and gets a bonus for selling tickets, paying its hotel/food/bonuses and other costs with that money) where they either broke even or lost money on previous non-BCS bowl games, JD said:
"Carl (associate athletic director Clapp) did an excellent job of keeping a handle on expenses for us." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110120_Warriors_catch_471M.html

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Mack will get $40k in bonuses, Dave Shoji will get no bonus

HSA Note: "In the wake of a 10-4 season, McMackin's bonuses — $20,000 for winning a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship and $20,000 for taking UH to a non-Bowl Championship Series game, the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl — are mandated by his contract."


About agreeing to having no bonus clauses when he signed his contract extension last year, UH Volleyball coach Dave Shoji said:
"I asked them for the higher base pay." (HSA)


About how his contract says that he'll only get a bonus if the Board of Regents approves one, if it is recommended by the AD, Shoji said:
"I'm not aware of any recommendation. I'm happy with my contract." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Shoji reportedly has an annual salary of approximately $175,000, while McMackin's contracted pay is $1.1 million, minus a 7 percent cut he began taking last year."


Declining to comment on head coach and assistant coaching bonuses, JD said:
"At this time I can't comment on pending issues." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The nine UH assistant football coaches are expected to receive slightly more than $9,000 each. UH policy says the amount of their bonuses is calculated "... by dividing the combined monthly salary of all assistant(s) by the total number of assistant coaches." Their total monthly salary totals about $82,000. Meanwhile, although Donovan qualifies for several bonuses based upon the performance of football and women's volleyball, under terms of his agreement he may not receive them until the athletic department is in the black or his contract is terminated. That language differs from the contract of his predecessor, under whom the nearly $10 million accumulated net deficit began."


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110119_McMackin_earns_bonus_for_WAC_title.html

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Ijumaa Armstrong committed to the Warriors

About his commitment to UH, Ijumaa Armstrong said:
"I just love it out there - the coaches, the people, the atmosphere, everything. The coaches are very welcoming. You feel you're part of something special down there." (HSA)

"I love the coaches and the program. I really like Coach (Brian) Smith, Coach (Rich) Miano and Coach (Greg McMackin)." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Armstrong said he is 5 feet 11 and 180 pounds. He said he ran 40 yards in 4.48 seconds during a Culver City combine, and is capable of bench-pressing 275 pounds. He played receiver and cornerback at Culver City, but projects to compete at cornerback, safety or quarter (nickelback) for the Warriors."


About how he began skateboarding in the 7th grade, Armstrong said:
"I picked up a board one day, and started cruising. One day , I jumped on it, and figured out I could do tricks." (HSA)


About how he hikes difficult trails such as in the Santa Monica Mountains and the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, Armstrong said:
"I like the challenge. People say they're afraid of heights. I was scared of heights when I was young. Hiking is a way to conquer that fear. I like challenges." (HSA)


About going surfing with Rich Miano during his recruiting visit, Armstrong said:
"I was kind of scared at first. I went out there, and I fell a couple of times. I got the hang of it. Then I was riding the wave. It was a lot of fun. They took a couple of photos. I can't wait to try again." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110118_Defensive_back_coming_to_UH.html

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Chad Owens is negotiating with the Jets but might stay in the CFL with Toronto

TS = Toronto Star


TS Note: "Richard Burnoski, agent for the 28-year-old Hawaiian, told the Star that after tryouts with four National Football League teams he is negotiating with the Jets. The other teams were the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers."


About how he thinks that Chad will stay in Toronto, GM and head coach Jim Barker said:
"That's going to run its course and Chad is going to do what's best for him and his family. He loves Toronto, loves being an Argonaut, but this is the reality of what we're in. Chad has told me that unless the upfront money is real strong, he's staying here. . . . I still think there's a good chance he'll be an Argonaut for the rest of his career." (TS)


TS Note: "The lure of a $325,000 U.S. minimum salary — compared with the CFL's average $60,000 Canadian — still might entice players who are willing to take the chance."

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/920759--chad-owens-in-talks-with-new-york-jets

Monday, January 10, 2011

Colt Brennan has no memory of the November 19 auto accident that he was injured in

About how he has recovered from his injuries and may start training again as early as next week, Colt Brennan said:
"I'm doing fine. Right now all of my thoughts and prayers are out to (Wang) and her family." (HSA)


Colt said that he has no memory of the accident, but just "woke up" in Queen's Hospital a few days after clavicle surgery and learned that :
"my life had changed. The doctors said, 'It's a good thing you don't remember much. You don't have to relive it.'" (HSA)


About how pictures and other people's statements have taught him about his accident, Colt said:
"I saw some pictures of the (accident), but I have no vivid memory. I've had to learn through other people's accounts or seeing random photos. ... I've had to learn from other people how serious the situation was." (HSA)


About how he was lucky that he was not injured more severely, Colt said:
"Of all the things that happened, from head to toe ... I'm lucky. I'm lucky I had what I had." (HSA)


About how he received excellent medical care, Colt said:
"I want to thank the doctors and paramedics and nurses. They were great to me." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20110110_Brennan_recovers_from_crash_injuries.html

Saturday, January 8, 2011

CB Brian Clay Jr. commits to the Warriors! Green and Letuli will play in the East-West Shrine Game

About why he picked UH, Brian Clay Jr. (who took a recruiting trip to UH in early December) said:
"I love the family atmosphere there. That's important because it's so far away from home." (HSA)

"Hawaii is going to win a lot of games. It's going in the right direction. I want to be a part of that." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Clay said he is 6 feet 1, 185 pounds, and can run 40 yards in 4.59 seconds. He is projected to compete as a cornerback and on special teams. Scouts liken Clay to UH freshman John Hardy-Tuliau. Clay will put his commitment in writing Feb. 2, the first day recruits may sign binding national letters of intent. He will turn down offers from Army, Air Force, Colorado State, San Diego State, Nevada-Las Vegas, San Jose State and Utah State. His father played for Fresno State, and now is an agent representing football and baseball players."


About why he works for a car wash, Clay said:
"I don't like to rely on my family for money. They already do a lot for me." (HSA)


About how people often ask him if he's related to the gold-medal-winning decathlete of the same name, Clay said:
"It's pretty good that people think that. He's one of the world's greatest athletes." (HSA)



About Alex Green and Laupepa Letuli being invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game, Rich Miano said:
"It's huge for them. And it's good for our program. It gives Hawaii exposure." (HSA)


About how Letuli will play tackle in the game even though the NFL scouts project him as a guard, Letuli's agent Leo Goeas said:
"This will help him more. It's much easier to move inside (from tackle to guard) than to play tackle." (HSA)


About how he hopes to impress in the East-West Shrine game because he was injured throughout his UH career, Letuli said:
"The whole time I've been (at UH), I've been hurt. Hopefully, I can start doing something in the Shrine game." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110108_Cornerback_Brian_Clay_commits_to_Warriors.html

Sunday, January 2, 2011

UH and Washington are trying to get Baldwin kicker Ceejay Santos to walk-on

MN = Maui News


About being named the MIL Utility Player of the Year, the first time they gave out that award, Baldwin's Ceejay Santos said:
"It makes me feel good that we have such a good team that gives me opportunities like that. To make things work when people need me." (MN)


MN Note: "A first-team all-state selection by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser as a placekicker, he matched a league record he set as a sophomore with a 51-yard field goal, later broke it with a 53-yarder and was 8-for-8 on field goals overall in 11 games this season, with four of 50 yards or more. One of three senior wide receivers for the Bears, he also caught 15 passes in MIL play for four touchdowns and returned kickoffs, including a 99-yarder for a touchdown against San Clemente, Calif., in a preseason game.

Santos played defensive back in some key situations, punted at times and routinely sailed kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks."


About how UH and Washington are both trying to get him to walk-on, Santos said:
"I am still talking with a few other coaches, but those are the top two. They want me to walk on and try to earn a scholarship. I have until signing day (in February) but there are a few more schools that are going to offer. I have to decide whether I want to stay at home and be part of Hawaii and play or take a better offer and go somewhere not as close to home." (MN)


http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/544608/The-Maui-News-MIL-Football-All-Stars--League-champs-recognized.html?nav=11

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Greg Salas, Kealoha Pilares and Alex Green have been invited to the NFL Combine!

About being invited to the NFL Combine, Greg Salas said:
"I'm excited and honored. I always watched (the combine) as a kid in high school. To be invited, and take part, is exciting." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The combine, held in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 through March 1, invites the top 300 NFL prospects."


About how each NFL team will send up to 50 people to the combine to interview, evaluate and test the draft prospects, Salas' agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"Owners, general managers, scouts, coaches -- everyone involved in the decision process -- will be there." (HSA)


About preparing for the combine and the other draft events, Salas said:
"It's a fun time. I'm focusing 100 percent on training and football." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Beginning Monday, Salas and Green will train at the Athletes' Performance facility in the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. They will be roommates in an extended-stay hotel in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Salas will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 29 in Mobile, Ala. Green will play in the Feb. 5 NFL Players Game (previously known as the Texas vs. The Nation bowl) in San Antonio's Alamodome."


About how he will lift weights at the combine but probably won't run the 40-yard dash until UH's Pro Day in early April, Kealoha Pilares said:
"You want to be smart about this." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110101_Combine_calls_for_3_Warriors.html