About choosing Gordon "Gordy" Shaw to be their new OL coach, Mac said:
“We had an extensive nationwide search and I feel we got one of the best offensive line coaches in the country. We have one of the top centers in the country coming out this year in John Estes and Gordy not only played the position but coached a Rimington Award winner at Minnesota so we feel it will only help John’s development. Gordy fits into our staff, he’s a student of the game and is one of the top offensive line gurus in the country.” (UH)
Note: Shaw was the offensive coordinator at South Dakota in 2008. Before that, he spent 14 seasons at Minnesota where he coached both the OL and DL. Before that, he was the OL coach at Wyoming from 1990-1992. In 1989 he was the defensive coordinator at Idaho. From 1985-1988 he was the offensive coordinator/OL coach at Northern Colorado. From 1982-1984 he was the DL coach at Northern Arizona. He was the DL coach at Cal Poly from 1980-1981. He was the DL coach at Cal State-Northridge in 1979. He was a graduate assistant at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo from 1977-1978.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
David Veikune update
scout = scout.com
Crediting his success to his coaches at UH and Colorado, Veikune said:
"It's really a tribute to the great coaching that I've gotten both in Hawaii and Colorado. I've had four of five different position coaches, and I've just tried to take everything that I've learned from them and put it out there on the field." (scout)
scout note: "Veikune, who was originally a redshirt freshman at the University of Colorado, spent a year at Fresno City College before heading to the University of Hawaii for his sophomore season. And while he notched seven sacks during his junior year, he didn't become a full-time starter until the 2008 season. With the right coaching at the next level, he should continue to build upon his success."
Looking forward to learning in the NFL, Veikune said:
"The NFL has the best coaches in the land, and I can't wait to start working with them. I know I'll learn some new techniques from them, and I'll continue to get stronger and faster. I'm a versatile player and a guy who just wants to keep getting better to help his team win." (scout)
Crediting his success to his coaches at UH and Colorado, Veikune said:
"It's really a tribute to the great coaching that I've gotten both in Hawaii and Colorado. I've had four of five different position coaches, and I've just tried to take everything that I've learned from them and put it out there on the field." (scout)
scout note: "Veikune, who was originally a redshirt freshman at the University of Colorado, spent a year at Fresno City College before heading to the University of Hawaii for his sophomore season. And while he notched seven sacks during his junior year, he didn't become a full-time starter until the 2008 season. With the right coaching at the next level, he should continue to build upon his success."
Looking forward to learning in the NFL, Veikune said:
"The NFL has the best coaches in the land, and I can't wait to start working with them. I know I'll learn some new techniques from them, and I'll continue to get stronger and faster. I'm a versatile player and a guy who just wants to keep getting better to help his team win." (scout)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
JoPierre Davis was suspended from the Warriors
HA Note: "Davis was arrested on numerous counts of sexual assault and assault. He also was booked for burglary and promoting a detrimental drug. Police said Davis is a suspect in the Sept. 28 sexual assault of a woman and the Jan. 19 beating of that woman and another man."
About Davis being suspended for violating UH's Code of Conduct, JD said:
"Per the Student-Athlete Handbook, the player was immediately suspended for an indefinite period. He is suspended from participating in all (team-related) activities." (HA)
Mac said that Davis is:
"suspended indefinitely." (HA)
HA Note: "Davis, a 6-foot senior from San Francisco, played in all 14 games for the Warriors in 2008. He was the "gunner" on punts, where his job was to race down on punt coverage and either tackle or down the punt. He made a total of five tackles, four unassisted in 2008."
HA Note: "He was a redshirt in 2005, saw action in two games in 2006 and appeared in 11 games, mainly on special teams and as a backup cornerback in 2007. He returned an interception for a score against New Mexico State Oct. 27, 2007."
About Davis being suspended for violating UH's Code of Conduct, JD said:
"Per the Student-Athlete Handbook, the player was immediately suspended for an indefinite period. He is suspended from participating in all (team-related) activities." (HA)
Mac said that Davis is:
"suspended indefinitely." (HA)
HA Note: "Davis, a 6-foot senior from San Francisco, played in all 14 games for the Warriors in 2008. He was the "gunner" on punts, where his job was to race down on punt coverage and either tackle or down the punt. He made a total of five tackles, four unassisted in 2008."
HA Note: "He was a redshirt in 2005, saw action in two games in 2006 and appeared in 11 games, mainly on special teams and as a backup cornerback in 2007. He returned an interception for a score against New Mexico State Oct. 27, 2007."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Jordan Loeffler will grayshirt and then redshirt at UH
HTH = Hawaii Tribune-Herald
HTH Note: "When University of Hawaii football coaches saw Hilo High School's Jordan Loeffler as a junior at a clinic in Honokaa, they saw a potential diamond in the rough. After all, at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, the young Loeffler had the size and potential to impress head coach Greg McMackin and well-known assistant Cal Lee."
About what the UH coaches told him when he was a junior, Loeffler said:
"They told me, "We'll keep an eye on you.' That was pretty awesome, being around all of those other guys at the signing. I got to see a lot of guys who will eventually be my teammates." (HTH)
HTH Note: "Loeffler, 17, a senior at Hilo High, has grown to almost 6-6 and 280 pounds since the Hawaii coaches first saw him. And they have been impressed enough by the young offensive lineman and his enormous potential over the past two years to award him with a football scholarship."
About how he will grayshirt and then redshirt, Loeffler said:
"I'm very excited about playing for the Warriors. I'm going to keep working hard and see what happens. The coaches want me to gray shirt this coming year and then red shirt a year. That will give me time to mature, and to get stronger and faster. I totally agree with coach Mack's decision. I think it's the best thing for me. I'll play in the 2011 season. But it gives me time to get better and I just want to help Hawaii win." (HTH)
Praising Cal Lee, the coach who convinced him to choose UH over Washington and Washington State, Loeffler said:
"Coach Cal is a good coach and he makes a lot of sense when he talks. He speaks the truth." (HTH)
Planning to major in communications or physical education, Loeffler said:
"I'm taking everything one step at a time. I want to get a good degree. I'm going to work hard to get better, and if I have a chance to go pro one day, then I'll look at my options." (HTH)
HTH Note: "In the meantime, Loeffler will throw the discus and shot put for Hilo High during the upcoming track season. He finished third in the shot put and fifth in the discus during last year's Big Island Interscholastic Federation championships."
About preparing for football after track season, Loeffler said:
"Then over the summer, I'll keep working out, trying to get stronger and quicker. 'm really looking forward to going to the University of Hawaii. I want to make a name for myself." (HTH)
HTH Note "Loeffler earned All-State honorable mention this past season while playing for Viking coach Kalani Siliga. He also played in the Hawaii/Polynesia-Mainland Bowl on Oahu."
Thanking the people who have supported him, Loeffler said:
"I'd like to thank my family, my grandparents, my coaches and my former coaches for supporting me. They've been there all along and I really appreciate it." (HTH)
HTH Note: "When University of Hawaii football coaches saw Hilo High School's Jordan Loeffler as a junior at a clinic in Honokaa, they saw a potential diamond in the rough. After all, at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, the young Loeffler had the size and potential to impress head coach Greg McMackin and well-known assistant Cal Lee."
About what the UH coaches told him when he was a junior, Loeffler said:
"They told me, "We'll keep an eye on you.' That was pretty awesome, being around all of those other guys at the signing. I got to see a lot of guys who will eventually be my teammates." (HTH)
HTH Note: "Loeffler, 17, a senior at Hilo High, has grown to almost 6-6 and 280 pounds since the Hawaii coaches first saw him. And they have been impressed enough by the young offensive lineman and his enormous potential over the past two years to award him with a football scholarship."
About how he will grayshirt and then redshirt, Loeffler said:
"I'm very excited about playing for the Warriors. I'm going to keep working hard and see what happens. The coaches want me to gray shirt this coming year and then red shirt a year. That will give me time to mature, and to get stronger and faster. I totally agree with coach Mack's decision. I think it's the best thing for me. I'll play in the 2011 season. But it gives me time to get better and I just want to help Hawaii win." (HTH)
Praising Cal Lee, the coach who convinced him to choose UH over Washington and Washington State, Loeffler said:
"Coach Cal is a good coach and he makes a lot of sense when he talks. He speaks the truth." (HTH)
Planning to major in communications or physical education, Loeffler said:
"I'm taking everything one step at a time. I want to get a good degree. I'm going to work hard to get better, and if I have a chance to go pro one day, then I'll look at my options." (HTH)
HTH Note: "In the meantime, Loeffler will throw the discus and shot put for Hilo High during the upcoming track season. He finished third in the shot put and fifth in the discus during last year's Big Island Interscholastic Federation championships."
About preparing for football after track season, Loeffler said:
"Then over the summer, I'll keep working out, trying to get stronger and quicker. 'm really looking forward to going to the University of Hawaii. I want to make a name for myself." (HTH)
HTH Note "Loeffler earned All-State honorable mention this past season while playing for Viking coach Kalani Siliga. He also played in the Hawaii/Polynesia-Mainland Bowl on Oahu."
Thanking the people who have supported him, Loeffler said:
"I'd like to thank my family, my grandparents, my coaches and my former coaches for supporting me. They've been there all along and I really appreciate it." (HTH)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Warriors sign an excellent 29 recruit class
When his news conference announcing their 2009 recruiting class was over, Mac said:
"We're starting to work on next year." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors signed 29 prospects, a number that actually swells to 32 when factoring three grayshirts — defensive end Alema Tachibana, and linebackers Art Laurel and Waylon Lolotai."
Mac said that they went over the NCAA's limit of 25 new scholarships, but he said that is isn't like an airline's overbooking in which:
"if a guy loses a seat, he's in big trouble." (HA)
HA Note: "The UH coaches felt they needed to use this recruiting class to restock the defensive secondary and bring in young quarterbacks who can be developed over the next couple of seasons."
HA Note: "Tony Tuioti, UH football's director of player personnel, said the plan was to land physical cornerbacks with speed in an effort to improve the Warriors' bump-and-run coverage."
HA Note: "While remaining true to a four-wide offense, the Warriors also wanted to add a complementary running attack. They signed three running backs — speedster Chizzy Dimude, and bruisers Alex Green and John Lister. Those additions create a ripple effect. Kealoha Pilares now can focus on being a full-time slotback, and Jake Heun can move to rush end."
About their 5 JC transfers, the 3 grayshirts from last year's class, and freshman Billy Ray Stutzmann, who are all enrolled at UH and participating in their offseason conditioning program and will compete in spring practice, Tony Tuioti said:
"We get a whole eight extra months to get these guys ready." (HA)
HA Note: "Tuioti also said that most of the remaining recruits will report to the team in May, allowing them to take summer-school classes. The strategy has a double benefit. Recruits can earn extra credits and participate in the summer workouts."
About how they wanted to sign recruits that could be at UH at the beginning of the summer and not require summer school classes to be eligible to go to UH, Tuioti said:
"All of the guys we signed, we made a point of making sure they'll be here at the beginning of summer and not the end of summer. That'll be big for us. They can come out here and train with their teammates." (HA)
About signing 11 players from local high schools, the most since 2003, Mac said:
"When I came here, I wanted to keep the good Hawaiian players home." (HSB)
About the importance on finishing the recruiting season strong, Mac said:
"Something that is really important to me is closing on guys. In this business ... you're going to lose some and you're going to get some. We've been very aggressive in our recruiting, as aggressive as I've ever been. ... Our commitment of guys decommitting and not decommitting is at 85 percent, which if I was in the business world, that would be a winning number." (HSB)
Mac said that Billy Ray's commitment last summer was:
"the foundation of this recruiting class. He was the first guy and he stayed with it. He had the guts to stay with it." (HSB)
About taking 3 freshman QBs in this class, Mac said:
"I don't ever want to get in the quarterback situation we were in this year, ever. I thought about it and you know what, he's a good quarterback. He's a great kid. He can fit in here, so that's what got us three quarterbacks." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The recruits are split almost evenly between offense (14) and defense (15). Nine of the 29 recruits are junior college players, a trend that the coaching staff hopes to slim down in the coming years."
About how they are trying to get balance in their recruiting, director of football player personnel Tony Tuioti said:
"Slowly we're trying to get to the point where we're balanced out every year. Last year it was offense. This year it was defense. We tried to get a balance and we want to get to the point that we're going with all high school guys, because they get into the program and have four years to develop." (HSB)
Happy to put the recruiting process behind him, Aulola Tonga said:
"I feel relieved it's over. I feel good. My mom probably feels relieved, too. Coach Mack said, 'We're ready for you, No. 3.' " (HSB)
About how he had doubts about his BYU commitment after making an early commitment, Jray Galeai said:
"I was thinking about staying home and playing in front of my family." (HSB)
About committing to BYU, Jray said:
"When I used to live there, I dreamed of playing for them." (HSB)
Surprised Manti Te'o chose BYU, Cayman Shutter said:
"I was kind of shocked about Manti. I know he liked Charlie Weis a lot, but I would've bet the house on USC." (HSB)
About how he'd love for Te'o to transfer to the Warriors, Shutter said:
"Hey, we'll still accept a transfer. He can always come back." (HSB)
About decommitting from UH and choosing Washington, Kimo Makaula (who wants to play TE) said:
"I wanted to play offense and Washington is a great school. They want me to play right away. Coach Mack's a great person. I got to be friends with him." (HSB)
About 6'2", 200-pound safety Kamalani Alo, Tuioti said:
"He's kind of like a 'tweener. He might be a linebacker-safety-type of guy. He slipped through the cracks. He was a safety, but they had to use him as a linebacker. He'll be a big asset because he can run and he's an athletic player." (HA)
About 6'2", 240-pound LB T.J. Alofipo, Tuioti said:
"T.J. has closing speed. He has a knack for the ball. With this attacking defense, he can excel. He played in (a similar) defense. Hopefully, the transition will be smooth. He's a basketball kid, he's an athlete. He has great hands, and great feet. He has natural instinct to know where the ball is." (HA)
About 5'11", 165-pound CB Kalani Brackenridge, Tuioti said:
"He covers a lot of ground. He's a playmaker. He can run. He's athletic. I noticed he's around the ball every time. He's like an Ed Reed. He gets interceptions and he makes plays." (HA)
About 6'1", 190-pound WR Rodney Bradley, Tuioti said:
"He catches everything with his hands. Everything thrown at him, he catches. That's because he doesn't get a lot of passes, so he couldn't afford to drop any." (HA)
About 6'1", 216-pound safety Aaron Brown, Tuioti said:
"He plays fast. He's got the instinct. He's a football player. He looks the part. He's physical. He'll be a steal for us." (HA)
About 5'11", 220-pound LB George Daily-Lyles, Tuioti said:
"I love the way he plays. He plays the game right. Every time I watch him, body-wise, he reminds me of Solly (Solomon Elimimian). He can find the football. He makes a lot of plays, a lot of tackles. He's a vocal leader. A lot of guys follow him. Any time you can get a football player who's a leader, that's a good gift." (HA)
About 5'11", 180-pound CB Lametrius Davis, Tuioti said:
"He's rangy, but he can cover and he can run. The advantage is he's in school now. He can play in spring ball." (HA)
About 5'11", 180-pound Chizzy Dimude, Tuioti said:
"Chizzy is explosive. He's like Michael Brewster. He's a scatback, and he can go the distance if he gets out there." (HA)
About 6'0", 190-pound QB David Graves, Tuioti said:
"He's accurate and very smart. We're excited about him." (HA)
About 6'2", 220-pound RB Alex Green, Tuioti said:
"Alex has power and speed. He likes to be physical. He looks like Marion Barber when he runs the football. He's got a great attitude." (HA)
About 6'1", 315-pound DT David Hafoka, Tuioti said:
"We need a guy like him. We need guys to help us stop the run, and David Hafoka is that type of player for us. He can clog those gaps, and let the linebackers make some plays." (HA)
About 5'9", 160-pound CB Melvin "Tank" Hopkins, Tuioti said:
"Hopkins has that attitude where he wants to be physical. He can flat-out run." (HA)
About 6'1", 190-pound safety Joey Iosefa, Tuioti said:
"He played quarterback, and he has a quarterback's mentality. He's an athlete. His role coming out might be on special teams. That's an important role." (HA)
About 6'5", 305-pound OT Brett Leonard, Tuioti said:
"He's agile and he's athletic. We want to put some good weight on him." (HA)
About 6'1", 205-pound RB John Lister, Tuioti said:
"He's a young guy. But when his number is called, he'll come out of the gates. With his frame, it looks like he can hold 230 easy and still be a good running back. He doesn't have any fat on his body. He's a downhill runner. He's a legit 4.5, 4.6 runner." (HA)
About 6'5", 280-pound OT Jordan Loeffler, Tuoiti said:
"He'll be a project for us, but that's good. That's what you want to do sometimes. You want to bring him in, get him bigger and faster, and he'll pay off. He'll learn the system." (HA)
About 6'2", 250-pound LB Chad Lopati, Tuioti said:
"Man, Chad is a good player. He's a big, physical guy. He also can play defensive end." (HA)
About 6'3", 305-pound OL Benson Ma'afala, Tuoiti said:
"He'll be good for the line. He has a big body, and he can play." (HA)
About 6'2", 245-pound DT Marcus Malepeai, Tuioti said:
"He's got a lot of talent." (HA)
About 6'4", 230-pound DE Veni Manu, Tuioti said:
"He can run. He's got long arms. He's another guy who can become a good player. He's got a lot of upside. And Ma'a Tanuvasa coached him, so you know he's had good coaching." (HA)
About 6'2", 285-pound DT Zach Masch, Tuioti said:
"He's physical. He can add depth to our tackles." (HA)
About 5'11", 185-pound QB Corey Nielsen, Tuioti said:
"He's a smart kid. He loves Hawai'i football. He wants to be here for the right reasons. Some people might have questions about his height. But he's smart, and he finds ways to make plays. He's a playmaker, and he's proved that. He has a big heart and a lot of confidence." (HA)
About 5'8", 160-pound SB Deondre Powell, Tuioti said:
"He's a Davone Bess-type; he gets a lot of yards after catches. He's fun to watch." (HA)
About 6'1", 180-pound QB Cayman Shutter, Tuioti said:
"It's a great thing when you can get a quarterback who won a state championship. It shows what it takes to win. We need guys like that in our program. Hopefully, he'll be a leader for us." (HA)
About 6'4", 200-pound WR Destin Stewart, Tuioti said:
"He's big and he's physical. A lot of guys see him and think he's a senior (in college)." (HA)
About 6'0", 160-pound WR Billy Ray Stutzmann, Tuioti said:
"He's a player. He proved he can play at a top level. He's done everything the right way." (HA)
About 6'3", 200-pound safety Aulola Tonga, Tuioti said:
"He has a great attitude. He's a physical player. He can be a linebacker or a safety. He has a knack for the ball. He can jump. He's a basketball guy." (HA)
About 6'1", 190-pound safety Michael Wadsworth, Tuioti said:
"He's smart, a 4.0 guy. And he can play." (HA)
About 6'4", 325-pound OL Chauncy Winchester-Makainai, Tuioti said:
"He's big and athletic. He can help us in a lot of different ways." (HA)
"We're starting to work on next year." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors signed 29 prospects, a number that actually swells to 32 when factoring three grayshirts — defensive end Alema Tachibana, and linebackers Art Laurel and Waylon Lolotai."
Mac said that they went over the NCAA's limit of 25 new scholarships, but he said that is isn't like an airline's overbooking in which:
"if a guy loses a seat, he's in big trouble." (HA)
HA Note: "The UH coaches felt they needed to use this recruiting class to restock the defensive secondary and bring in young quarterbacks who can be developed over the next couple of seasons."
HA Note: "Tony Tuioti, UH football's director of player personnel, said the plan was to land physical cornerbacks with speed in an effort to improve the Warriors' bump-and-run coverage."
HA Note: "While remaining true to a four-wide offense, the Warriors also wanted to add a complementary running attack. They signed three running backs — speedster Chizzy Dimude, and bruisers Alex Green and John Lister. Those additions create a ripple effect. Kealoha Pilares now can focus on being a full-time slotback, and Jake Heun can move to rush end."
About their 5 JC transfers, the 3 grayshirts from last year's class, and freshman Billy Ray Stutzmann, who are all enrolled at UH and participating in their offseason conditioning program and will compete in spring practice, Tony Tuioti said:
"We get a whole eight extra months to get these guys ready." (HA)
HA Note: "Tuioti also said that most of the remaining recruits will report to the team in May, allowing them to take summer-school classes. The strategy has a double benefit. Recruits can earn extra credits and participate in the summer workouts."
About how they wanted to sign recruits that could be at UH at the beginning of the summer and not require summer school classes to be eligible to go to UH, Tuioti said:
"All of the guys we signed, we made a point of making sure they'll be here at the beginning of summer and not the end of summer. That'll be big for us. They can come out here and train with their teammates." (HA)
About signing 11 players from local high schools, the most since 2003, Mac said:
"When I came here, I wanted to keep the good Hawaiian players home." (HSB)
About the importance on finishing the recruiting season strong, Mac said:
"Something that is really important to me is closing on guys. In this business ... you're going to lose some and you're going to get some. We've been very aggressive in our recruiting, as aggressive as I've ever been. ... Our commitment of guys decommitting and not decommitting is at 85 percent, which if I was in the business world, that would be a winning number." (HSB)
Mac said that Billy Ray's commitment last summer was:
"the foundation of this recruiting class. He was the first guy and he stayed with it. He had the guts to stay with it." (HSB)
About taking 3 freshman QBs in this class, Mac said:
"I don't ever want to get in the quarterback situation we were in this year, ever. I thought about it and you know what, he's a good quarterback. He's a great kid. He can fit in here, so that's what got us three quarterbacks." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The recruits are split almost evenly between offense (14) and defense (15). Nine of the 29 recruits are junior college players, a trend that the coaching staff hopes to slim down in the coming years."
About how they are trying to get balance in their recruiting, director of football player personnel Tony Tuioti said:
"Slowly we're trying to get to the point where we're balanced out every year. Last year it was offense. This year it was defense. We tried to get a balance and we want to get to the point that we're going with all high school guys, because they get into the program and have four years to develop." (HSB)
Happy to put the recruiting process behind him, Aulola Tonga said:
"I feel relieved it's over. I feel good. My mom probably feels relieved, too. Coach Mack said, 'We're ready for you, No. 3.' " (HSB)
About how he had doubts about his BYU commitment after making an early commitment, Jray Galeai said:
"I was thinking about staying home and playing in front of my family." (HSB)
About committing to BYU, Jray said:
"When I used to live there, I dreamed of playing for them." (HSB)
Surprised Manti Te'o chose BYU, Cayman Shutter said:
"I was kind of shocked about Manti. I know he liked Charlie Weis a lot, but I would've bet the house on USC." (HSB)
About how he'd love for Te'o to transfer to the Warriors, Shutter said:
"Hey, we'll still accept a transfer. He can always come back." (HSB)
About decommitting from UH and choosing Washington, Kimo Makaula (who wants to play TE) said:
"I wanted to play offense and Washington is a great school. They want me to play right away. Coach Mack's a great person. I got to be friends with him." (HSB)
About 6'2", 200-pound safety Kamalani Alo, Tuioti said:
"He's kind of like a 'tweener. He might be a linebacker-safety-type of guy. He slipped through the cracks. He was a safety, but they had to use him as a linebacker. He'll be a big asset because he can run and he's an athletic player." (HA)
About 6'2", 240-pound LB T.J. Alofipo, Tuioti said:
"T.J. has closing speed. He has a knack for the ball. With this attacking defense, he can excel. He played in (a similar) defense. Hopefully, the transition will be smooth. He's a basketball kid, he's an athlete. He has great hands, and great feet. He has natural instinct to know where the ball is." (HA)
About 5'11", 165-pound CB Kalani Brackenridge, Tuioti said:
"He covers a lot of ground. He's a playmaker. He can run. He's athletic. I noticed he's around the ball every time. He's like an Ed Reed. He gets interceptions and he makes plays." (HA)
About 6'1", 190-pound WR Rodney Bradley, Tuioti said:
"He catches everything with his hands. Everything thrown at him, he catches. That's because he doesn't get a lot of passes, so he couldn't afford to drop any." (HA)
About 6'1", 216-pound safety Aaron Brown, Tuioti said:
"He plays fast. He's got the instinct. He's a football player. He looks the part. He's physical. He'll be a steal for us." (HA)
About 5'11", 220-pound LB George Daily-Lyles, Tuioti said:
"I love the way he plays. He plays the game right. Every time I watch him, body-wise, he reminds me of Solly (Solomon Elimimian). He can find the football. He makes a lot of plays, a lot of tackles. He's a vocal leader. A lot of guys follow him. Any time you can get a football player who's a leader, that's a good gift." (HA)
About 5'11", 180-pound CB Lametrius Davis, Tuioti said:
"He's rangy, but he can cover and he can run. The advantage is he's in school now. He can play in spring ball." (HA)
About 5'11", 180-pound Chizzy Dimude, Tuioti said:
"Chizzy is explosive. He's like Michael Brewster. He's a scatback, and he can go the distance if he gets out there." (HA)
About 6'0", 190-pound QB David Graves, Tuioti said:
"He's accurate and very smart. We're excited about him." (HA)
About 6'2", 220-pound RB Alex Green, Tuioti said:
"Alex has power and speed. He likes to be physical. He looks like Marion Barber when he runs the football. He's got a great attitude." (HA)
About 6'1", 315-pound DT David Hafoka, Tuioti said:
"We need a guy like him. We need guys to help us stop the run, and David Hafoka is that type of player for us. He can clog those gaps, and let the linebackers make some plays." (HA)
About 5'9", 160-pound CB Melvin "Tank" Hopkins, Tuioti said:
"Hopkins has that attitude where he wants to be physical. He can flat-out run." (HA)
About 6'1", 190-pound safety Joey Iosefa, Tuioti said:
"He played quarterback, and he has a quarterback's mentality. He's an athlete. His role coming out might be on special teams. That's an important role." (HA)
About 6'5", 305-pound OT Brett Leonard, Tuioti said:
"He's agile and he's athletic. We want to put some good weight on him." (HA)
About 6'1", 205-pound RB John Lister, Tuioti said:
"He's a young guy. But when his number is called, he'll come out of the gates. With his frame, it looks like he can hold 230 easy and still be a good running back. He doesn't have any fat on his body. He's a downhill runner. He's a legit 4.5, 4.6 runner." (HA)
About 6'5", 280-pound OT Jordan Loeffler, Tuoiti said:
"He'll be a project for us, but that's good. That's what you want to do sometimes. You want to bring him in, get him bigger and faster, and he'll pay off. He'll learn the system." (HA)
About 6'2", 250-pound LB Chad Lopati, Tuioti said:
"Man, Chad is a good player. He's a big, physical guy. He also can play defensive end." (HA)
About 6'3", 305-pound OL Benson Ma'afala, Tuoiti said:
"He'll be good for the line. He has a big body, and he can play." (HA)
About 6'2", 245-pound DT Marcus Malepeai, Tuioti said:
"He's got a lot of talent." (HA)
About 6'4", 230-pound DE Veni Manu, Tuioti said:
"He can run. He's got long arms. He's another guy who can become a good player. He's got a lot of upside. And Ma'a Tanuvasa coached him, so you know he's had good coaching." (HA)
About 6'2", 285-pound DT Zach Masch, Tuioti said:
"He's physical. He can add depth to our tackles." (HA)
About 5'11", 185-pound QB Corey Nielsen, Tuioti said:
"He's a smart kid. He loves Hawai'i football. He wants to be here for the right reasons. Some people might have questions about his height. But he's smart, and he finds ways to make plays. He's a playmaker, and he's proved that. He has a big heart and a lot of confidence." (HA)
About 5'8", 160-pound SB Deondre Powell, Tuioti said:
"He's a Davone Bess-type; he gets a lot of yards after catches. He's fun to watch." (HA)
About 6'1", 180-pound QB Cayman Shutter, Tuioti said:
"It's a great thing when you can get a quarterback who won a state championship. It shows what it takes to win. We need guys like that in our program. Hopefully, he'll be a leader for us." (HA)
About 6'4", 200-pound WR Destin Stewart, Tuioti said:
"He's big and he's physical. A lot of guys see him and think he's a senior (in college)." (HA)
About 6'0", 160-pound WR Billy Ray Stutzmann, Tuioti said:
"He's a player. He proved he can play at a top level. He's done everything the right way." (HA)
About 6'3", 200-pound safety Aulola Tonga, Tuioti said:
"He has a great attitude. He's a physical player. He can be a linebacker or a safety. He has a knack for the ball. He can jump. He's a basketball guy." (HA)
About 6'1", 190-pound safety Michael Wadsworth, Tuioti said:
"He's smart, a 4.0 guy. And he can play." (HA)
About 6'4", 325-pound OL Chauncy Winchester-Makainai, Tuioti said:
"He's big and athletic. He can help us in a lot of different ways." (HA)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
LB Sage Nua walk on to the Warriors
LVS = Las Vegas Sun
LVS Note: "Liberty linebacker Sage Nua has already left his stamp on Patriots history as the six-year-old school's leading tackler (275). On Wednesday he added another honor as the team's first player to reach a Division-I program."
About being a preferred walk-on for the Warriors, native Hawaiian Nua said:
"It's nice to be going back home. Plus they have a good program where if you work hard you'll play. It's not just all about the guys on scholarship. I hope to contribute to a few wins and work my way onto the field." (LVS)
About how Nua has been their leader and their top defender, Liberty coach Lou Markouzis said:
"Sage has been the rock that our team could lean on for the last few years. He's meant a lot to this team and this program. He'll bring a lot to anyone he plays for. Depending on the system he could be a middle linebacker or outside guy. He could even grow into a defensive end or tight end." (LVS)
LVS Note: "Liberty linebacker Sage Nua has already left his stamp on Patriots history as the six-year-old school's leading tackler (275). On Wednesday he added another honor as the team's first player to reach a Division-I program."
About being a preferred walk-on for the Warriors, native Hawaiian Nua said:
"It's nice to be going back home. Plus they have a good program where if you work hard you'll play. It's not just all about the guys on scholarship. I hope to contribute to a few wins and work my way onto the field." (LVS)
About how Nua has been their leader and their top defender, Liberty coach Lou Markouzis said:
"Sage has been the rock that our team could lean on for the last few years. He's meant a lot to this team and this program. He'll bring a lot to anyone he plays for. Depending on the system he could be a middle linebacker or outside guy. He could even grow into a defensive end or tight end." (LVS)
Recruiting updates from the Advertiser
About how NLI day is today, Mac said:
"There are two minutes left in the game, and we're in the red zone." (HA)
HA Note: "But according to people close to the situation, the coaches had a recruiting meeting yesterday morning. Two numbers were posted: 80 and 90. Of their scholarship offers, about 80 percent of them were accepted. Of those who accepted, they believe 90 percent will honor their commitments. But estimates must be adjusted. Long Beach (Calif.) Poly defensive end Iuta Tepa will sign with UCLA. Palo Verdes (Nev.) linebacker Liloa Nobriga will go to Colorado. Wai'anae High defensive tackle Wade Keli'ikipi is leaning toward accepting a late-scholarship offer from Oregon."
About how Kapolei LB Chad Lopati is split between UH and Oregon State, Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said:
"Chad is taking it to the midnight hour." (HA)
HA note: "What's more, three other UH recruits have not met the academic requirements, and offensive tackle Pierce Burton decided to sign with San Jose State. UH was going to bring Burton in as a grayshirt; Burton will join the Spartans this summer."
About how Arizona and Colorado State made late pushes to recruit him, George Daily-Lyles said:
"They were really pushing. But I'm going to be a Warrior. They are pretty much the NFL team of Hawai'i. The people of Hawai'i are really cool. They really stood out to me. And I love the coaching staff and coach McMackin." (HA)
About choosing UH over Oregon and Arizona State, safety Aaron Brown said:
"Signing with Hawai'i is an obvious decision. It wasn't a hard decision at all." (HA)
About his recruiting visit the weekend UH played Cincinnati, Brown said:
"I got to see the fans and meet the team. It's a great atmosphere. And the coaches are great." (HA)
HA Note: "UCLA is on the academic quarter system. Masch had hoped he would be able to join the Bruins at next month's start of the new quarter and participate in spring practice. But he was told the Bruins also were out of mid-year scholarships, and he would not be able to report until summer. With all starting dates being equal, he decided to turn down the UCLA offer and sign with UH."
About choosing UH, Zach Masch said:
"I'm stoked for Hawai'i. Who wouldn't want to spend two years in Hawai'i for free and play for a great program?" (HA)
Mac said that he believes they got a lot of quality players and that:
"we competed against some big-time programs. We competed hard." (HA)
Praising Tony Tuioti and his assistant coaches, Mac said:
"They worked really hard." (HA)
HA Note: "McMackin said recruiting is "the lifeblood" of a football program, and that the signings are "four- and five-year" investments. McMackin said Tuioti has helped craft a system in which the Warriors will know their position needs and available scholarships for the next five years. McMackin said he wants to avoid a top-heavy situation like last season, when there were 35 seniors. That is forcing the Warriors, who had to rebuild the offense last year, to focus on restocking the defense with this year's new scholarships."
HA Note: "Kevin Bell of Kelly Walsh High in Casper, Wyo., will compete at placekicker. Brett Symonds, who redshirted in 2008, also will challenge for the job. Kahuku High's St. John Lessary will join UH as a preferred walk-on, and will compete for the punter's job. And Ingram's younger brother, Luke Ingram, is expected to compete for the long-snapper's job."
About UH's push for Jray Galeai, who committed to BYU two years ago, Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said:
"The best trip he had was UH's. He enjoyed it." (HA)
"There are two minutes left in the game, and we're in the red zone." (HA)
HA Note: "But according to people close to the situation, the coaches had a recruiting meeting yesterday morning. Two numbers were posted: 80 and 90. Of their scholarship offers, about 80 percent of them were accepted. Of those who accepted, they believe 90 percent will honor their commitments. But estimates must be adjusted. Long Beach (Calif.) Poly defensive end Iuta Tepa will sign with UCLA. Palo Verdes (Nev.) linebacker Liloa Nobriga will go to Colorado. Wai'anae High defensive tackle Wade Keli'ikipi is leaning toward accepting a late-scholarship offer from Oregon."
About how Kapolei LB Chad Lopati is split between UH and Oregon State, Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said:
"Chad is taking it to the midnight hour." (HA)
HA note: "What's more, three other UH recruits have not met the academic requirements, and offensive tackle Pierce Burton decided to sign with San Jose State. UH was going to bring Burton in as a grayshirt; Burton will join the Spartans this summer."
About how Arizona and Colorado State made late pushes to recruit him, George Daily-Lyles said:
"They were really pushing. But I'm going to be a Warrior. They are pretty much the NFL team of Hawai'i. The people of Hawai'i are really cool. They really stood out to me. And I love the coaching staff and coach McMackin." (HA)
About choosing UH over Oregon and Arizona State, safety Aaron Brown said:
"Signing with Hawai'i is an obvious decision. It wasn't a hard decision at all." (HA)
About his recruiting visit the weekend UH played Cincinnati, Brown said:
"I got to see the fans and meet the team. It's a great atmosphere. And the coaches are great." (HA)
HA Note: "UCLA is on the academic quarter system. Masch had hoped he would be able to join the Bruins at next month's start of the new quarter and participate in spring practice. But he was told the Bruins also were out of mid-year scholarships, and he would not be able to report until summer. With all starting dates being equal, he decided to turn down the UCLA offer and sign with UH."
About choosing UH, Zach Masch said:
"I'm stoked for Hawai'i. Who wouldn't want to spend two years in Hawai'i for free and play for a great program?" (HA)
Mac said that he believes they got a lot of quality players and that:
"we competed against some big-time programs. We competed hard." (HA)
Praising Tony Tuioti and his assistant coaches, Mac said:
"They worked really hard." (HA)
HA Note: "McMackin said recruiting is "the lifeblood" of a football program, and that the signings are "four- and five-year" investments. McMackin said Tuioti has helped craft a system in which the Warriors will know their position needs and available scholarships for the next five years. McMackin said he wants to avoid a top-heavy situation like last season, when there were 35 seniors. That is forcing the Warriors, who had to rebuild the offense last year, to focus on restocking the defense with this year's new scholarships."
HA Note: "Kevin Bell of Kelly Walsh High in Casper, Wyo., will compete at placekicker. Brett Symonds, who redshirted in 2008, also will challenge for the job. Kahuku High's St. John Lessary will join UH as a preferred walk-on, and will compete for the punter's job. And Ingram's younger brother, Luke Ingram, is expected to compete for the long-snapper's job."
About UH's push for Jray Galeai, who committed to BYU two years ago, Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said:
"The best trip he had was UH's. He enjoyed it." (HA)
Clinton Portis is looking forward to shark diving with Colt Brennan
Looking forward to going shark diving with Colt, Portis said:
"Me and Colt (talked) about going swimming with some sharks. Get in a little tank, and do a shark adventure. I'm excited about it, Colt's setting it up. Hopefully we get to do it." (HSB)
Asked if there was a clause in his contract forbidding an activity like shark diving, Portis said:
"I mean, I'm going to be in a cage! If a shark bites through the cage and they can't pull me up in time, I deserved it, boy." (HSB)
Looking forward to shark diving, Colt said:
"It's gonna be a great time. I'm gonna make sure to videotape it for our teammates." (HSB)
Feeling that Colt deserves a chance to play, Portis said:
"Now that he's healthy I think he feels like he's one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. He deserves a shot. When he gets his shot, I think he'll go out and be real exciting." (HSB)
"Me and Colt (talked) about going swimming with some sharks. Get in a little tank, and do a shark adventure. I'm excited about it, Colt's setting it up. Hopefully we get to do it." (HSB)
Asked if there was a clause in his contract forbidding an activity like shark diving, Portis said:
"I mean, I'm going to be in a cage! If a shark bites through the cage and they can't pull me up in time, I deserved it, boy." (HSB)
Looking forward to shark diving, Colt said:
"It's gonna be a great time. I'm gonna make sure to videotape it for our teammates." (HSB)
Feeling that Colt deserves a chance to play, Portis said:
"Now that he's healthy I think he feels like he's one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. He deserves a shot. When he gets his shot, I think he'll go out and be real exciting." (HSB)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Colt is back in Hawaii and raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society
KGMB Note: "The Redskins Quarterback and former Warrior is in Hawaii to host a dinner benefitting the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Brennan just got back yesterday and says he plans to stay about a month. he's thrilled to be back in the state where he set 31 NCAA records."
About going to Hawaii for a month during the offseason and raising money for charity during his stay, Colt said:
"Looking back now, this is exactly what I want to do, I want to come back here, want to make a difference, I want to leave this place which gave me a second chance and gave me everything, every dream i ever wanted. I want to do a lot back for this place and show my appreciation." (KGMB)
About going to Hawaii for a month during the offseason and raising money for charity during his stay, Colt said:
"Looking back now, this is exactly what I want to do, I want to come back here, want to make a difference, I want to leave this place which gave me a second chance and gave me everything, every dream i ever wanted. I want to do a lot back for this place and show my appreciation." (KGMB)
Recruiting updates in the Advertiser
About 6'0, 190-pound RB/WR/P John Lessary, who will join UH as a preferred walk-on, Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said:
"He can run, and he can catch. They're getting the whole package. He brings versatility to the program." (HA)
At Kahuku, Torres said that Lessary kicked a:
"few 60-(yard)-plus punts — not rolling, but in the air." (HA)
HA Note: "Lessary's punting earned him the Most Valuable Player honor for a victory against Farrington."
HA Note: "Palo Verdes (Nev.) High's Liloa Nobriga, a defensive end who attended 'Iolani School as a freshman and sophomore, is split in deciding between UH and Colorado. Wai'anae High defensive tackle Wade Keli'ikipi, whose older brother West Keli'ikipi was a UH running back, is now mulling a late offer from Oregon."
About how he will sign with UH despite a late recruiting pitch from Missouri, Destin Stewart said:
"Hawai'i is a different environment, and I want to try something new. And I really like the Hawai'i program." (HA)
HA Note: "Linebacker Chad Lopati of Kapolei High and George Daily-Lyles of Long Beach Poly also rebuffed other offers."
HA Note: "In accepting the head coaching job in January 2008, Greg McMackin vowed to improve the recruiting efforts. Athletic director Jim Donovan doubled the recruiting budget, and Hawaiian Airlines donated 100 roundtrip tickets. McMackin hired Tony Tuioti as director of player personnel. McMackin also started a football camp. That enabled prospects from across the country to tour the Manoa campus. And McMackin also changed UH's recruiting strategy. In the last few years of June Jones' tenure as head coach, the Warriors, who were under financial constraints, brought in the majority of the prospects in the three weekends before the signing day."
HA Note: "The Warriors were the first to make offers to defensive players from Long Beach Poly, a traditional powerhouse. Sometimes the early offers paid off (Daily-Lyles); sometimes they invited competition from area schools such as USC and UCLA (Tepa)."
HA Note: "Running back Jack Sula and defensive tackle Jesse Williams need to fulfill academic requirements. They will not sign tomorrow, although there is a possibility they might still join the team this summer. Cornerback Kevin Williams also does not meet the requirements to play for the Warriors. Overall, this could be one of the most talented UH recruiting classes. Junior college wideout Rodney Bradley, offensive tackle Brett Leonard, defensive tackle David Hafoka, and cornerbacks Lametrius Davis and Tank Hopkins already are enrolled at UH."
"He can run, and he can catch. They're getting the whole package. He brings versatility to the program." (HA)
At Kahuku, Torres said that Lessary kicked a:
"few 60-(yard)-plus punts — not rolling, but in the air." (HA)
HA Note: "Lessary's punting earned him the Most Valuable Player honor for a victory against Farrington."
HA Note: "Palo Verdes (Nev.) High's Liloa Nobriga, a defensive end who attended 'Iolani School as a freshman and sophomore, is split in deciding between UH and Colorado. Wai'anae High defensive tackle Wade Keli'ikipi, whose older brother West Keli'ikipi was a UH running back, is now mulling a late offer from Oregon."
About how he will sign with UH despite a late recruiting pitch from Missouri, Destin Stewart said:
"Hawai'i is a different environment, and I want to try something new. And I really like the Hawai'i program." (HA)
HA Note: "Linebacker Chad Lopati of Kapolei High and George Daily-Lyles of Long Beach Poly also rebuffed other offers."
HA Note: "In accepting the head coaching job in January 2008, Greg McMackin vowed to improve the recruiting efforts. Athletic director Jim Donovan doubled the recruiting budget, and Hawaiian Airlines donated 100 roundtrip tickets. McMackin hired Tony Tuioti as director of player personnel. McMackin also started a football camp. That enabled prospects from across the country to tour the Manoa campus. And McMackin also changed UH's recruiting strategy. In the last few years of June Jones' tenure as head coach, the Warriors, who were under financial constraints, brought in the majority of the prospects in the three weekends before the signing day."
HA Note: "The Warriors were the first to make offers to defensive players from Long Beach Poly, a traditional powerhouse. Sometimes the early offers paid off (Daily-Lyles); sometimes they invited competition from area schools such as USC and UCLA (Tepa)."
HA Note: "Running back Jack Sula and defensive tackle Jesse Williams need to fulfill academic requirements. They will not sign tomorrow, although there is a possibility they might still join the team this summer. Cornerback Kevin Williams also does not meet the requirements to play for the Warriors. Overall, this could be one of the most talented UH recruiting classes. Junior college wideout Rodney Bradley, offensive tackle Brett Leonard, defensive tackle David Hafoka, and cornerbacks Lametrius Davis and Tank Hopkins already are enrolled at UH."
Clarence T.C. Ching Field was dedicated yesterday!
HA Note: "The Clarence T.C. Ching Field was dedicated yesterday morning in front of university officials, coaches and state legislators, marking a new chapter in the university's athletic makeover. The $1.2 million turf replacement on the former Cooke Field is the first phase of the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, and the project was ushered forward from a $5 million donation last year from the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation."
About Ching Field, UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"The most beautiful attribute of this field is the fact it represents a terrific public and private partnership among the state Legislature, the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation and the university. Investing in facility is meeting the goal of making UH Manoa as a destination of choice." (HA)
HA Note: "The new artificial playing surface, which includes the school's "H" logo at midfield and the school name in the end zones, will play host to the UH football team's spring practice opening March 30. The field renovation was the first phase of complex work — which will later include construction of a 5,000-seat stadium with locker rooms and coaches offices."
About how the new field surface was desperately needed, JD said:
"The AstroTurf that was put in in 1983 had a 10-year warranty, so we went 25 years with the field that was supposed to last 10. Of course, there was nothing here the last four, five years but asphalt. It's not very easy for people to utilize that." (HA)
HA Note: "The new field will welcome UH athletic teams, band, ROTC and the community. UH cross country and track and field coach Carmyn James said the new field will make her competitions a first-class act. Aside from its usual track meets, UH hosted the WAC championships in 2005 and the U.S. Masters Nationals in 2004."
About how the new field benefits the track events also, Carmyn James said:
"Despite the fact the track is a world-class track, it didn't look very presentable with the infield the way it was. It was just an eyesore." (HA)
Mac said that the field is:
"the staring point of what we want to do in the future. For us in football, it's going to allow us to come down when it gets rainy and won't ruin the grass fields. And we'll always practice on Fridays down here. It's going to be a great addition for us." (HA)
Hoping that high school football teams can use the new field in the fall and track teams can use it in the spring, JD said:
"Our intent is to get other people to come in here to use it. It's good for them, it's good for us because you're bringing athletes onto our campus. In the very least it'll encourage high school kids to consider going to college, and if they're really good athletes maybe it'll help them decide to come to UH." (HA)
About how the Ching Foundation's donation (believed to be the largest in UH Athletics history) is especially important during this weak economy, House Speaker Calvin Say said:
"The current time of economic hardship makes the gift more remarkable and important. More than ever, philanthropic donations are needed. More than ever, philanthropic organizations are finding it harder to give." (HA)
HA Note: "State Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-4th (Kahului), the vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said the complex project is special in "the matching of public and private partners." "
Tsutsui hopes that by the completion of the project:
"lower campus wouldn't be recognizable to many in five years. We just played our role in the state legislature to try to maximize state dollars. It's a good example of what you do when you all work together, have the same vision. I'd like to see more of this happening. Given the tough economic times, it makes the most sense to partner up whenever you can." (HA)
About Ching Field, UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"The most beautiful attribute of this field is the fact it represents a terrific public and private partnership among the state Legislature, the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation and the university. Investing in facility is meeting the goal of making UH Manoa as a destination of choice." (HA)
HA Note: "The new artificial playing surface, which includes the school's "H" logo at midfield and the school name in the end zones, will play host to the UH football team's spring practice opening March 30. The field renovation was the first phase of complex work — which will later include construction of a 5,000-seat stadium with locker rooms and coaches offices."
About how the new field surface was desperately needed, JD said:
"The AstroTurf that was put in in 1983 had a 10-year warranty, so we went 25 years with the field that was supposed to last 10. Of course, there was nothing here the last four, five years but asphalt. It's not very easy for people to utilize that." (HA)
HA Note: "The new field will welcome UH athletic teams, band, ROTC and the community. UH cross country and track and field coach Carmyn James said the new field will make her competitions a first-class act. Aside from its usual track meets, UH hosted the WAC championships in 2005 and the U.S. Masters Nationals in 2004."
About how the new field benefits the track events also, Carmyn James said:
"Despite the fact the track is a world-class track, it didn't look very presentable with the infield the way it was. It was just an eyesore." (HA)
Mac said that the field is:
"the staring point of what we want to do in the future. For us in football, it's going to allow us to come down when it gets rainy and won't ruin the grass fields. And we'll always practice on Fridays down here. It's going to be a great addition for us." (HA)
Hoping that high school football teams can use the new field in the fall and track teams can use it in the spring, JD said:
"Our intent is to get other people to come in here to use it. It's good for them, it's good for us because you're bringing athletes onto our campus. In the very least it'll encourage high school kids to consider going to college, and if they're really good athletes maybe it'll help them decide to come to UH." (HA)
About how the Ching Foundation's donation (believed to be the largest in UH Athletics history) is especially important during this weak economy, House Speaker Calvin Say said:
"The current time of economic hardship makes the gift more remarkable and important. More than ever, philanthropic donations are needed. More than ever, philanthropic organizations are finding it harder to give." (HA)
HA Note: "State Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-4th (Kahului), the vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said the complex project is special in "the matching of public and private partners." "
Tsutsui hopes that by the completion of the project:
"lower campus wouldn't be recognizable to many in five years. We just played our role in the state legislature to try to maximize state dollars. It's a good example of what you do when you all work together, have the same vision. I'd like to see more of this happening. Given the tough economic times, it makes the most sense to partner up whenever you can." (HA)
Kalani Brackenridge will play football and baseball at UH
About UH's late offer, Brackenridge said:
"I was surprised, actually. (UH) came to my school and watched us practice before, but I never heard from them until I got a phone call a couple weeks ago from (defensive backs coach) Rich Miano. He was just saying he likes the way I play." (HSB)
Note: Brackenridge had scholarship offers from Washington State and Idaho, but Washington State didn't want him to play baseball and Idaho doesn't have a baseball team.
HSB Note: "Brackenridge visited the Manoa campus over the weekend and got the two-sport offer -- something not very common for UH athletes as freshmen."
About how he played in Les Murakami Stadium recently in the Perfect Games Tournament, Brackridge said:
"There's no dirt (in the infield). I like that field, all natural hops, no bad hops. The ball gets on you quicker. But it doesn't matter what kind of field it is." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brackenridge is awaiting results of his recent SAT. He has a 2.5 grade-point average, but expects to meet UH's academic requirements."
About a thumb injury ended his senior football season early, Brackenridge said:
"I was frustrated when I got hurt. I wanted to play with my cast (on), but my doctor wouldn't allow it because of the surgery." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Rather than committing early to other schools -- New Mexico, Utah State and Wyoming were also interested -- Brackenridge's patience is being rewarded."
About next football season, Brackenridge said:
"I just want a shot to play and compete at my position." (HSB)
"I was surprised, actually. (UH) came to my school and watched us practice before, but I never heard from them until I got a phone call a couple weeks ago from (defensive backs coach) Rich Miano. He was just saying he likes the way I play." (HSB)
Note: Brackenridge had scholarship offers from Washington State and Idaho, but Washington State didn't want him to play baseball and Idaho doesn't have a baseball team.
HSB Note: "Brackenridge visited the Manoa campus over the weekend and got the two-sport offer -- something not very common for UH athletes as freshmen."
About how he played in Les Murakami Stadium recently in the Perfect Games Tournament, Brackridge said:
"There's no dirt (in the infield). I like that field, all natural hops, no bad hops. The ball gets on you quicker. But it doesn't matter what kind of field it is." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Brackenridge is awaiting results of his recent SAT. He has a 2.5 grade-point average, but expects to meet UH's academic requirements."
About a thumb injury ended his senior football season early, Brackenridge said:
"I was frustrated when I got hurt. I wanted to play with my cast (on), but my doctor wouldn't allow it because of the surgery." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Rather than committing early to other schools -- New Mexico, Utah State and Wyoming were also interested -- Brackenridge's patience is being rewarded."
About next football season, Brackenridge said:
"I just want a shot to play and compete at my position." (HSB)
Monday, February 2, 2009
CB Kalani Brackenridge, RB John Lister, and DE Bon Jon Watts commit to the Warriors!
About playing shortstop for UH's baseball team as well as CB for the Warriors, Brackenridge said that he look forward to being able to play the two sports:
"in front of my family and friends." (HA)
HA Note: "Brackenridge is 5 feet 11 and 165 pounds. Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said Brackenridge can cover 40 yards in 4.5 seconds."
HA Note: "Brackenridge is a member of an athletic family. His father, Lyle Brackenridge, was a baseball player in the Los Angeles Dodgers' and Minnesota Twins' organizations. His brother, Tyron Brackenridge, is a cornerback who recently signed with the New York Jets."
About the offer from UH, Brackenridge said:
"It's a blessing." (HA)
About how Brackenridege moved to Oahu in the spring of his sophomore year, Kapolei head football coach Hernandez said:
"He played baseball, and he was a star there." (HA)
About Brackenridge's ability at CB, Hernandez said:
"This kid has really good cover skills. He's fast, and he can really jump. He has a 36-inch vertical. He has all of the measurables." (HA)
HA Note: "Hernandez predicted that Brackenridge's "best football is ahead of him." Because football is considered to be the dominant financial sport, Brackenridge's scholarship will be in football even though he also will compete as a middle infielder. Brackenridge turned down football offers from Wyoming, Utah State and Idaho because those schools do not compete in baseball."
About how he was a catcher on the 2004 Little League team that won the US championship, Lister said:
"It was a great experience for a 12-year-old to be on (national) television. It was fun. I got a little taste of being part of a high-media sport." (HA)
HA Note: "Lister is 6 feet 1 1/2 and 210 pounds. He ran 40 yards in a laser-timed 4.49 seconds."
About choosing UH over offers from Nevada and UNLV, Lister said:
"I loved it out there. I love the coaches. They've got a good thing going there. They've got a good football team. They're going to win the WAC, and I want to be a part of it." (HA)
HA Note: "Watts, who is 6-2 and 225 pounds, is capable of running 40 yards in 4.56 seconds and benching 360 pounds."
About being raised in Gainesville, Florida, Watts said:
"I'm from the Swamp." (HA)
HA Note: "Watts said he moved to California at the invitation of a friend. He said Lametrius Davis, a UH cornerback and former Butte teammate, was influential in him choosing the Warriors."
About choosing UH, Watts referred to Lametrius Davis when he said:
"I really like the program. The coaches are really nice. And I have a good friend out here. It's a good fit." (HA)
"in front of my family and friends." (HA)
HA Note: "Brackenridge is 5 feet 11 and 165 pounds. Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said Brackenridge can cover 40 yards in 4.5 seconds."
HA Note: "Brackenridge is a member of an athletic family. His father, Lyle Brackenridge, was a baseball player in the Los Angeles Dodgers' and Minnesota Twins' organizations. His brother, Tyron Brackenridge, is a cornerback who recently signed with the New York Jets."
About the offer from UH, Brackenridge said:
"It's a blessing." (HA)
About how Brackenridege moved to Oahu in the spring of his sophomore year, Kapolei head football coach Hernandez said:
"He played baseball, and he was a star there." (HA)
About Brackenridge's ability at CB, Hernandez said:
"This kid has really good cover skills. He's fast, and he can really jump. He has a 36-inch vertical. He has all of the measurables." (HA)
HA Note: "Hernandez predicted that Brackenridge's "best football is ahead of him." Because football is considered to be the dominant financial sport, Brackenridge's scholarship will be in football even though he also will compete as a middle infielder. Brackenridge turned down football offers from Wyoming, Utah State and Idaho because those schools do not compete in baseball."
About how he was a catcher on the 2004 Little League team that won the US championship, Lister said:
"It was a great experience for a 12-year-old to be on (national) television. It was fun. I got a little taste of being part of a high-media sport." (HA)
HA Note: "Lister is 6 feet 1 1/2 and 210 pounds. He ran 40 yards in a laser-timed 4.49 seconds."
About choosing UH over offers from Nevada and UNLV, Lister said:
"I loved it out there. I love the coaches. They've got a good thing going there. They've got a good football team. They're going to win the WAC, and I want to be a part of it." (HA)
HA Note: "Watts, who is 6-2 and 225 pounds, is capable of running 40 yards in 4.56 seconds and benching 360 pounds."
About being raised in Gainesville, Florida, Watts said:
"I'm from the Swamp." (HA)
HA Note: "Watts said he moved to California at the invitation of a friend. He said Lametrius Davis, a UH cornerback and former Butte teammate, was influential in him choosing the Warriors."
About choosing UH, Watts referred to Lametrius Davis when he said:
"I really like the program. The coaches are really nice. And I have a good friend out here. It's a good fit." (HA)
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Feature on Angela Curley (Travis LaBoy's Mom)
MIJ = Marin Independent Journal
MIJ Note: "When the confetti rained down on the Glendale, Ariz., football field after the Arizona Cardinals earned a berth in the Super Bowl two weeks ago, the 56-year-old mother of Cardinals defensive starter Travis LaBoy ran on the field with the other families. That's when the Larkspur resident saw the young son of one of LaBoy's teammates playing in a pile of the red-and-white stuff. Curley couldn't resist. She took the plunge next to the little boy, spread out and moved her arms and legs back and forth - making snow angels in the desert."
About making snow angels after Arizona won the NFC Championship game, Curley said:
"I'm ridiculous." (MIJ)
Asked how she felt when her youngest son (17-year-old Preston) showed her a written account of how she acted after that game, Curley said:
"I thought, 'Oh, no. Travis is going to be so embarrassed.' " (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "It wasn't the first time Curley has wondered if she did anything to make LaBoy shake his head and roll his eyes. Yet, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end/linebacker knows and appreciates that there are few mothers so involved in their children's athletic endeavors, so passionate about them, so opinionated and expressive. Now Curley and the rest of Travis' family are taking their support to the biggest stage of all: the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla."
MIJ Note: "She stood behind Travis and his older brother CJ when they were down on their luck and homeless for three weeks, living out of a van in Hawaii. They went to the drive-in theater for entertainment and parked at the beach to sleep. Curley vowed to her preschool-age boys that there would be better days ahead."
About Curley, her son CJ said:
"Without her, Travis and I would have had a completely different life." (MIJ)
About how she taught her sons to prevail over challenges, Curley said:
"I knew my kids were going to have to be tough to survive. It was more about preservation and how are we going to prevail. I'm going to show everybody that we can do this. We can win. We're going to be the best. I've always been a charger." (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "Curley, who was a cheerleader and competitive swimmer in high school, always has been beside Travis when he needed a pep talk during critical stages in his life. She was there in kindergarten when Travis was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Curley told her son that the initials ADHD stood for "athletes determined to dominate." She added that the "h" is "for staying happy while you do it." Curley backed Travis when, as a 9-year-old who was big for his age, he was banned from Dixie Little League by parents who decided he was a physical threat to other players after a competitor's leg was broken by a sliding LaBoy."
About how Travis felt when he was banned from football as a 9-year-old, Curley said:
"He was crushed - devastated. I told him, 'One day all those people are going to be calling your name.'" (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "Who knew then that LaBoy would someday make the starting lineup of a Super Bowl team? It wasn't easy. Travis was not a starter on the Marin Catholic High squad as a junior until his older brother, a defensive tackle, convinced his coach, Mark Haering, that Travis would do well if he lined him up next to him at defensive end. Travis was not a model student or a teacher's pet either so, after he flunked out of Utah State, Curley literally marched him over to College of Marin to take summer classes to get his grades up so he could walk on and play football at the University of Hawaii. By his senior year at Hawaii, LaBoy was the Western Athletic Conference defensive player of the year and was picked in the second round of the NFL draft in 2004. He joined the Tennessee Titans and his mom joined the NFL Moms on a Mission Squad with mothers of other NFL players. Curley still does charitable work for the squad and for her son's foundation set up to combat autism."
About how Curley's personality, her husband Art Curley said:
"She's the ultimate cheerleader. That's part of her personality. She's a get-it-done type person." (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "Curley's charitable work has taken her to four Super Bowls, but this is the first time she will go to cheer on her son. Each player in the game is allotted 15 tickets, so Curley, along with CJ, Preston and Art, flew on a team family charter flight from Phoenix to Tampa."
About how his Mom is loud during Travis' games, CJ said:
"No matter if Travis is on the field or not, she is trying to be the loudest, most obnoxious screamer in the stands. She is nonstop, full tilt from the moment she gets to her seat to the second the game is over. It's amazing how much energy she has on game days." (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "Curley has a large white pro-Cardinals sign with red lettering - "NFL's new pecking order" - that she brought to the stadium for the NFC title game two weeks ago. However, at the players' entrance she was asked to unfurl the banner and it was determined it surpassed sign size limits. Curley asked the inspector to check the sign manual and, when the inspector's back was turned, Curley handed the sign to her ex-husband, Cliff LaBoy, who sneaked it into the stadium."
About her enthusiasm during games, Curley said:
"I bring a sense of energy and optimism and a certain amount of dynamics. Maybe it's because I'm (the astrological sign) Leo and a leader. (Cardinals family friends) need someone like me as a catalyst." (MIJ)
About how Travis appreciates the support his family has given him, Preston Curley said:
"He will never accept the (notion) he got to the NFL on his own. He says, 'You all got me here.'" (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "But LaBoy persevered. He had a rough childhood and a lot of things went wrong for him. But this season everything has gone right. He was an unrestricted free agent last summer and his brother CJ, now an NFL players' agent, helped him choose the Cardinals, believing they had enough talent to make the playoffs. Aside from injuries, life couldn't be better for LaBoy and his family. Two weeks ago, his mother seized the moment and made sure he knew that."
About what she said to Travis during the wild celebration on the field after the NFC Championship game, Curley said:
"You're 27 years old and you've reached your dream. You did it." (MIJ)
Travis looked into his mother's eyes and responded:
"Yeah, mom. We did it." (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "When the confetti rained down on the Glendale, Ariz., football field after the Arizona Cardinals earned a berth in the Super Bowl two weeks ago, the 56-year-old mother of Cardinals defensive starter Travis LaBoy ran on the field with the other families. That's when the Larkspur resident saw the young son of one of LaBoy's teammates playing in a pile of the red-and-white stuff. Curley couldn't resist. She took the plunge next to the little boy, spread out and moved her arms and legs back and forth - making snow angels in the desert."
About making snow angels after Arizona won the NFC Championship game, Curley said:
"I'm ridiculous." (MIJ)
Asked how she felt when her youngest son (17-year-old Preston) showed her a written account of how she acted after that game, Curley said:
"I thought, 'Oh, no. Travis is going to be so embarrassed.' " (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "It wasn't the first time Curley has wondered if she did anything to make LaBoy shake his head and roll his eyes. Yet, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end/linebacker knows and appreciates that there are few mothers so involved in their children's athletic endeavors, so passionate about them, so opinionated and expressive. Now Curley and the rest of Travis' family are taking their support to the biggest stage of all: the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla."
MIJ Note: "She stood behind Travis and his older brother CJ when they were down on their luck and homeless for three weeks, living out of a van in Hawaii. They went to the drive-in theater for entertainment and parked at the beach to sleep. Curley vowed to her preschool-age boys that there would be better days ahead."
About Curley, her son CJ said:
"Without her, Travis and I would have had a completely different life." (MIJ)
About how she taught her sons to prevail over challenges, Curley said:
"I knew my kids were going to have to be tough to survive. It was more about preservation and how are we going to prevail. I'm going to show everybody that we can do this. We can win. We're going to be the best. I've always been a charger." (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "Curley, who was a cheerleader and competitive swimmer in high school, always has been beside Travis when he needed a pep talk during critical stages in his life. She was there in kindergarten when Travis was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Curley told her son that the initials ADHD stood for "athletes determined to dominate." She added that the "h" is "for staying happy while you do it." Curley backed Travis when, as a 9-year-old who was big for his age, he was banned from Dixie Little League by parents who decided he was a physical threat to other players after a competitor's leg was broken by a sliding LaBoy."
About how Travis felt when he was banned from football as a 9-year-old, Curley said:
"He was crushed - devastated. I told him, 'One day all those people are going to be calling your name.'" (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "Who knew then that LaBoy would someday make the starting lineup of a Super Bowl team? It wasn't easy. Travis was not a starter on the Marin Catholic High squad as a junior until his older brother, a defensive tackle, convinced his coach, Mark Haering, that Travis would do well if he lined him up next to him at defensive end. Travis was not a model student or a teacher's pet either so, after he flunked out of Utah State, Curley literally marched him over to College of Marin to take summer classes to get his grades up so he could walk on and play football at the University of Hawaii. By his senior year at Hawaii, LaBoy was the Western Athletic Conference defensive player of the year and was picked in the second round of the NFL draft in 2004. He joined the Tennessee Titans and his mom joined the NFL Moms on a Mission Squad with mothers of other NFL players. Curley still does charitable work for the squad and for her son's foundation set up to combat autism."
About how Curley's personality, her husband Art Curley said:
"She's the ultimate cheerleader. That's part of her personality. She's a get-it-done type person." (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "Curley's charitable work has taken her to four Super Bowls, but this is the first time she will go to cheer on her son. Each player in the game is allotted 15 tickets, so Curley, along with CJ, Preston and Art, flew on a team family charter flight from Phoenix to Tampa."
About how his Mom is loud during Travis' games, CJ said:
"No matter if Travis is on the field or not, she is trying to be the loudest, most obnoxious screamer in the stands. She is nonstop, full tilt from the moment she gets to her seat to the second the game is over. It's amazing how much energy she has on game days." (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "Curley has a large white pro-Cardinals sign with red lettering - "NFL's new pecking order" - that she brought to the stadium for the NFC title game two weeks ago. However, at the players' entrance she was asked to unfurl the banner and it was determined it surpassed sign size limits. Curley asked the inspector to check the sign manual and, when the inspector's back was turned, Curley handed the sign to her ex-husband, Cliff LaBoy, who sneaked it into the stadium."
About her enthusiasm during games, Curley said:
"I bring a sense of energy and optimism and a certain amount of dynamics. Maybe it's because I'm (the astrological sign) Leo and a leader. (Cardinals family friends) need someone like me as a catalyst." (MIJ)
About how Travis appreciates the support his family has given him, Preston Curley said:
"He will never accept the (notion) he got to the NFL on his own. He says, 'You all got me here.'" (MIJ)
MIJ Note: "But LaBoy persevered. He had a rough childhood and a lot of things went wrong for him. But this season everything has gone right. He was an unrestricted free agent last summer and his brother CJ, now an NFL players' agent, helped him choose the Cardinals, believing they had enough talent to make the playoffs. Aside from injuries, life couldn't be better for LaBoy and his family. Two weeks ago, his mother seized the moment and made sure he knew that."
About what she said to Travis during the wild celebration on the field after the NFC Championship game, Curley said:
"You're 27 years old and you've reached your dream. You did it." (MIJ)
Travis looked into his mother's eyes and responded:
"Yeah, mom. We did it." (MIJ)
Recruiting updates from the Star-Bulletin
About why he wants to go straight to UH and avoid needing to play at a junior college in the fall, James Smith said:
"If I take the junior college route, I'd have to wait two years (to graduate). You only get three years of D-I experience. I want to go straight to UH and get my experience, build my confidence." (HSB)
HSB Note: "If Smith, a Star-Bulletin All-State first-team football selection, can thrive in his academics this spring, a spot on the University of Hawaii roster may be in his future. The academic part: passing Algebra II -- a UH requirement -- and recording a solid score on his SAT in March. At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, his play at safety was one of many defensive strengths for the Governors." Several of his teammates, All-State selections in their own right, will play at junior colleges this fall. For Smith, JC is Plan B.
About how Rich Miano has been his contact to the UH coaching staff, Smith said:
"He likes the way I play. My techniques and the way I get over the top." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Simione Vehikite raised eyebrows last week by making a visit to Washington even though he had committed to USC. Vehikite (6-1, 245) had been on Hawaii's radar early in the season, going back to UH's summer camp. Vehikite, who is not yet a qualifier, was not offered by the Warriors and he nearly fell through the cracks. However, then-USC assistant coach Steve Sarkisian was intrigued with Vehikite. After he watched the Hawaii/Polynesia vs. Mainland Bowl live on Fox Sports West, the Trojans offered the Hurricanes senior a scholarship. Vehikite figures to play at fullback in USC's West Coast offense."
"If I take the junior college route, I'd have to wait two years (to graduate). You only get three years of D-I experience. I want to go straight to UH and get my experience, build my confidence." (HSB)
HSB Note: "If Smith, a Star-Bulletin All-State first-team football selection, can thrive in his academics this spring, a spot on the University of Hawaii roster may be in his future. The academic part: passing Algebra II -- a UH requirement -- and recording a solid score on his SAT in March. At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, his play at safety was one of many defensive strengths for the Governors." Several of his teammates, All-State selections in their own right, will play at junior colleges this fall. For Smith, JC is Plan B.
About how Rich Miano has been his contact to the UH coaching staff, Smith said:
"He likes the way I play. My techniques and the way I get over the top." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Simione Vehikite raised eyebrows last week by making a visit to Washington even though he had committed to USC. Vehikite (6-1, 245) had been on Hawaii's radar early in the season, going back to UH's summer camp. Vehikite, who is not yet a qualifier, was not offered by the Warriors and he nearly fell through the cracks. However, then-USC assistant coach Steve Sarkisian was intrigued with Vehikite. After he watched the Hawaii/Polynesia vs. Mainland Bowl live on Fox Sports West, the Trojans offered the Hurricanes senior a scholarship. Vehikite figures to play at fullback in USC's West Coast offense."
Saturday, January 31, 2009
JJ talked about grayshirting recruits
DMN = Dallas Morning News
DMN Note: "SMU coach June Jones estimated he had a handful of grayshirts on his 2007 Hawaii team that crashed the Bowl Championship Series."
About why they grayshirted players at UH, JJ said:
"Depending on the situation, it's almost always in the best interest of the athlete. It happens for different reasons. At Hawaii, it was an overabundance at a certain position." (DMN)
DMN Note: "At SMU, emerging offensive lineman Josh Emshoff has thrived after grayshirting because of a shoulder injury, bulking up from 260 pounds to 290. While Jones believes quarterback development can be aided by grayshirting, the position that probably benefits most is the offensive line. Players use the time to prepare and mature for what they'll face in college. Think of it as a boys-to-men transformation."
DMN Note: "SMU coach June Jones estimated he had a handful of grayshirts on his 2007 Hawaii team that crashed the Bowl Championship Series."
About why they grayshirted players at UH, JJ said:
"Depending on the situation, it's almost always in the best interest of the athlete. It happens for different reasons. At Hawaii, it was an overabundance at a certain position." (DMN)
DMN Note: "At SMU, emerging offensive lineman Josh Emshoff has thrived after grayshirting because of a shoulder injury, bulking up from 260 pounds to 290. While Jones believes quarterback development can be aided by grayshirting, the position that probably benefits most is the offensive line. Players use the time to prepare and mature for what they'll face in college. Think of it as a boys-to-men transformation."
Davone Bess reflects on his rookie season
About how special teams helped him get playing time quickly as a rookie, Bess said:
"The fastest way to get on a field for a rookie is playing special teams, you know, and trying to make an impact as soon as possible as fast as you can." (KGMB)
KGMB Note: "That's how Bess avoided getting cut by Miami. He became a playmaker as a return specialist. Then Greg Camarillo got injured and Bess took his starting spot at receiver. The former UH star made 54 catches on the season, which is the second most in NFL history for an undrafted rookie behind Wayne Chrebet."
About getting so many catches as a rookie, Bess said:
"It was weird, the media would come into our locker room and they would tell me, 'man you're such and such, you have this many catches.' Throughout the whole year, it didn't really bother me. It still hasn't hit me yet." (KGMB)
Praising Chad Pennington, Bess said:
"Our chemistry off the field, he's a great leader you know. We joke around and call him Coach Pennington. He has that demeanor as a coach. We're a young receiving corp so he helped us grow and groomed us a lot and it pretty much transferred to the field." (KGMB)
"The fastest way to get on a field for a rookie is playing special teams, you know, and trying to make an impact as soon as possible as fast as you can." (KGMB)
KGMB Note: "That's how Bess avoided getting cut by Miami. He became a playmaker as a return specialist. Then Greg Camarillo got injured and Bess took his starting spot at receiver. The former UH star made 54 catches on the season, which is the second most in NFL history for an undrafted rookie behind Wayne Chrebet."
About getting so many catches as a rookie, Bess said:
"It was weird, the media would come into our locker room and they would tell me, 'man you're such and such, you have this many catches.' Throughout the whole year, it didn't really bother me. It still hasn't hit me yet." (KGMB)
Praising Chad Pennington, Bess said:
"Our chemistry off the field, he's a great leader you know. We joke around and call him Coach Pennington. He has that demeanor as a coach. We're a young receiving corp so he helped us grow and groomed us a lot and it pretty much transferred to the field." (KGMB)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
David Graves re-affirms his commit to UH
About how he's committed to UH despite other schools contacting him, Graves said:
"I’m definitely still with Hawai‘i." (HA)
“For sure, I’m signing with Hawai‘i. Everything is A-OK. I’m pretty excited.” (HA)
HA Note: "He said quarterback Nick Rolovich made a home visit the past Monday."
"I’m definitely still with Hawai‘i." (HA)
“For sure, I’m signing with Hawai‘i. Everything is A-OK. I’m pretty excited.” (HA)
HA Note: "He said quarterback Nick Rolovich made a home visit the past Monday."
Feature on Travis LaBoy
About how his travel plans suddenly changed when his flight to New Orleans was canceled after they signed a LB free agent, sending him on a flight to Arizona (where he left after signing a 5-year, $22 million contract), LaBoy said:
"It was kind of a last-minute decision. I didn't know a whole lot about what they did defensively. I knew more about the offense — Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, (Larry) Fitzgerald, Edgerrin James. I thought this might be just right. We may have something going on. When you have an offense putting up points, it makes it a lot easier to play defense." (HA)
HA Note: "The Cardinals have more playoff victories this month than they had in the franchise's previous 87 years, which contributed to the perception that LaBoy said prevailed throughout the league during his four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, who drafted him in the second round in 2004."
About the lack of respect that Arizona had around the NFL, LaBoy said:
"Arizona was like a team when you go to play them, you don't even have to practice that week. You kind of take the week off. They were a joke team. I'm being real. Arizona had no respect. It was like a clown team, it really was. It was that team that as soon as you got them on your schedule, you were looking ahead to that next week. You can't say that now. You do that to the Cardinals now, you get your head pushed in. I heard we were the worst team in Super Bowl history. I really don't care if people realize it, but they really have no choice but to say we are one of the best two teams in the NFL, at the very least." (HA)
About how he will play in the Super Bowl despite being listed as questionable in the latest injury report (he has elbow, ankle, and biceps injuries), LaBoy said:
"I don't know who decides all that, but I'll be out there. I'm not questionable in anyone's mind, really." (HA)
About how he's used as an outside LB in their 3-4 D, which suits his abilities better than how he was a DE/pass rush specialist with Tennessee, LaBoy said:
"Defensive end, you are just one-dimensional, where this is more multi-dimensional. I like this defense a lot. The longer we are playing and keep this nucleus, the better we will be. We will do some great things. We've been playing real well in this playoff run. I think a lot of it is just coming together as a unit and finding an identity, you might say." (HA)
About how he'll be in Hawaii for a long time after the Super Bowl, LaBoy said:
"We have two or three days of packing and we're out to the Islands for a good two months if possible. We try to get back as much as we can. The last offseason got a little short with us having to move, but we look forward to getting back out there this year." (HA)
HA Note: "Travis LaBoy is son of Cliff LaBoy, a Farrington alum who played for the University of Hawai'i in 1973-75. While at UH, Cliff was a teammate of June Jones, who became Travis' coach ... Travis LaBoy is married to former Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Nohea Tano."
"It was kind of a last-minute decision. I didn't know a whole lot about what they did defensively. I knew more about the offense — Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, (Larry) Fitzgerald, Edgerrin James. I thought this might be just right. We may have something going on. When you have an offense putting up points, it makes it a lot easier to play defense." (HA)
HA Note: "The Cardinals have more playoff victories this month than they had in the franchise's previous 87 years, which contributed to the perception that LaBoy said prevailed throughout the league during his four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, who drafted him in the second round in 2004."
About the lack of respect that Arizona had around the NFL, LaBoy said:
"Arizona was like a team when you go to play them, you don't even have to practice that week. You kind of take the week off. They were a joke team. I'm being real. Arizona had no respect. It was like a clown team, it really was. It was that team that as soon as you got them on your schedule, you were looking ahead to that next week. You can't say that now. You do that to the Cardinals now, you get your head pushed in. I heard we were the worst team in Super Bowl history. I really don't care if people realize it, but they really have no choice but to say we are one of the best two teams in the NFL, at the very least." (HA)
About how he will play in the Super Bowl despite being listed as questionable in the latest injury report (he has elbow, ankle, and biceps injuries), LaBoy said:
"I don't know who decides all that, but I'll be out there. I'm not questionable in anyone's mind, really." (HA)
About how he's used as an outside LB in their 3-4 D, which suits his abilities better than how he was a DE/pass rush specialist with Tennessee, LaBoy said:
"Defensive end, you are just one-dimensional, where this is more multi-dimensional. I like this defense a lot. The longer we are playing and keep this nucleus, the better we will be. We will do some great things. We've been playing real well in this playoff run. I think a lot of it is just coming together as a unit and finding an identity, you might say." (HA)
About how he'll be in Hawaii for a long time after the Super Bowl, LaBoy said:
"We have two or three days of packing and we're out to the Islands for a good two months if possible. We try to get back as much as we can. The last offseason got a little short with us having to move, but we look forward to getting back out there this year." (HA)
HA Note: "Travis LaBoy is son of Cliff LaBoy, a Farrington alum who played for the University of Hawai'i in 1973-75. While at UH, Cliff was a teammate of June Jones, who became Travis' coach ... Travis LaBoy is married to former Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Nohea Tano."
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Feature story on Michael Wadsworth
LVS = Las Vegas Sun
About her son's love for football, his Mom Patti Wadsworth said:
"He has such a passion for football. It's just unbelievable to watch him play, knowing that is my son out there doing so well. At first, I was nervous because he was so small, but he knew the game so well and was always one of the fastest. Nobody could catch him." (LVS)
LVS Note: "Not many players Wadsworth's size — he was 5-foot-9, 120 pounds as a freshman — go on to play in college. But, then again, not many have the drive of Wadsworth."
LVS Note: "Wadsworth — who thanks to natural growth and his dedication to weight training is now 6-foot-1, 190 pounds — made a name for himself as one of Nevada's top players as a junior in 2007. He had eight kickoff or punt returns for touchdowns to help Silverado win the Southeast Division title."
About how he learned to play when he was smaller than the other players, Wadsworth said:
"I always thought I would grow, but I wasn't sure when it would happen. When you are smaller, you definitely have to find a way around the bigger kids. I learned how to maneuver. I just like trying to make something out of nothing." (LVS)
LVS Note: "Following a breakout season in 2007, just when Wadsworth was receiving considerable interest from colleges, he found himself again pleading with his parents to play football. His dad's three-year commitment as a missionary leader with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ended, and the Wadsworth family — Michael has 10 siblings — was set to move back to Provo. Michael did not want to bail on teammates in their quest for a state title and argued that relocating would hurt his chances of playing Division I football. He convinced his parents to let him stay, moved in with family friends and had a stellar year. He was named first-team All-Sunrise Region."
About being away from his family during his senior year in high school, Michael said:
"There were definitely some late night talks before they finally let me stay." (LVS)
LVS Note: "With the scholarship to Hawaii set, it was agreed Wadsworth would move back to Provo after the season. But he convinced his parents to let him stay the remainder of the year because he has some unfinished business. Hit with injuries, Silverado struggled last fall and did not make the playoffs. Wadsworth hopes to make up for that disappointment with the basketball team, on which he is a top defender for a squad near the top of the Southeast standings."
About Wadsworth, Siverado football coach Andy Ostolaza said:
"Let's put it this way, I have never coached a more complete player who did everything for the team. From the kick returning to playing multiple spots on each side of the ball, I haven't had a kid do so many different things. And, as a student, how can you beat a 4.0 guy?" (LVS)
About her son's love for football, his Mom Patti Wadsworth said:
"He has such a passion for football. It's just unbelievable to watch him play, knowing that is my son out there doing so well. At first, I was nervous because he was so small, but he knew the game so well and was always one of the fastest. Nobody could catch him." (LVS)
LVS Note: "Not many players Wadsworth's size — he was 5-foot-9, 120 pounds as a freshman — go on to play in college. But, then again, not many have the drive of Wadsworth."
LVS Note: "Wadsworth — who thanks to natural growth and his dedication to weight training is now 6-foot-1, 190 pounds — made a name for himself as one of Nevada's top players as a junior in 2007. He had eight kickoff or punt returns for touchdowns to help Silverado win the Southeast Division title."
About how he learned to play when he was smaller than the other players, Wadsworth said:
"I always thought I would grow, but I wasn't sure when it would happen. When you are smaller, you definitely have to find a way around the bigger kids. I learned how to maneuver. I just like trying to make something out of nothing." (LVS)
LVS Note: "Following a breakout season in 2007, just when Wadsworth was receiving considerable interest from colleges, he found himself again pleading with his parents to play football. His dad's three-year commitment as a missionary leader with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ended, and the Wadsworth family — Michael has 10 siblings — was set to move back to Provo. Michael did not want to bail on teammates in their quest for a state title and argued that relocating would hurt his chances of playing Division I football. He convinced his parents to let him stay, moved in with family friends and had a stellar year. He was named first-team All-Sunrise Region."
About being away from his family during his senior year in high school, Michael said:
"There were definitely some late night talks before they finally let me stay." (LVS)
LVS Note: "With the scholarship to Hawaii set, it was agreed Wadsworth would move back to Provo after the season. But he convinced his parents to let him stay the remainder of the year because he has some unfinished business. Hit with injuries, Silverado struggled last fall and did not make the playoffs. Wadsworth hopes to make up for that disappointment with the basketball team, on which he is a top defender for a squad near the top of the Southeast standings."
About Wadsworth, Siverado football coach Andy Ostolaza said:
"Let's put it this way, I have never coached a more complete player who did everything for the team. From the kick returning to playing multiple spots on each side of the ball, I haven't had a kid do so many different things. And, as a student, how can you beat a 4.0 guy?" (LVS)
Feature on Aulola Tonga choosing the Warriors
About how he will get a degree from UH, Tonga said:
"Coach said I don't have to graduate early, that there's five years to finish, and if I graduate early, (UH) would pay for my master's degree." (HSB)
HSB Note: "He noted that former Kahuku quarterback Inoke Funaki is taking that path. Like Funaki, Tonga expects to go on a Mormon mission. Tonga follows a growing line of Red Raiders now suiting up in green and black. He and linebacker Kamalani Alo join transfer Gary Nagy (BYU) and recent recruits Alema Tachibana and Paipai Falemalu, plus walk-on Richard Torres."
About all the players on defense with the Warriors, Tonga said:
"You know what? We might just have a Red Raider defense for UH." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Tonga's decision came down to two factors: staying home near family, and the complicated web of changes on the continent."
About staying close to home, Tonga said:
"My mom liked Coach Mack when she met him. He said he'd take care of me. It's a chance to play soon and stay close to home, play in front of everybody." (HSB)
HSB Note: "His explosive senior season caught recruiters off guard. UCLA had no offers left and asked him to grayshirt. Washington, with new coach Steve Sarkisian, was interested but didn't offer. Interest from Sarkisian was stronger while he was a defensive coordinator at USC. BYU entered the picture late, Tonga said, and never offered."
About the importance of graduating from UH, Tonga said:
"If I graduate from Hawaii, people will remember me, not like people who go out there (to the mainland) and come back." (HSB)
About how he'll return kicks if UH wants, Tonga said:
"If they want me to, I'll do it for the team." (HSB)
"Coach said I don't have to graduate early, that there's five years to finish, and if I graduate early, (UH) would pay for my master's degree." (HSB)
HSB Note: "He noted that former Kahuku quarterback Inoke Funaki is taking that path. Like Funaki, Tonga expects to go on a Mormon mission. Tonga follows a growing line of Red Raiders now suiting up in green and black. He and linebacker Kamalani Alo join transfer Gary Nagy (BYU) and recent recruits Alema Tachibana and Paipai Falemalu, plus walk-on Richard Torres."
About all the players on defense with the Warriors, Tonga said:
"You know what? We might just have a Red Raider defense for UH." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Tonga's decision came down to two factors: staying home near family, and the complicated web of changes on the continent."
About staying close to home, Tonga said:
"My mom liked Coach Mack when she met him. He said he'd take care of me. It's a chance to play soon and stay close to home, play in front of everybody." (HSB)
HSB Note: "His explosive senior season caught recruiters off guard. UCLA had no offers left and asked him to grayshirt. Washington, with new coach Steve Sarkisian, was interested but didn't offer. Interest from Sarkisian was stronger while he was a defensive coordinator at USC. BYU entered the picture late, Tonga said, and never offered."
About the importance of graduating from UH, Tonga said:
"If I graduate from Hawaii, people will remember me, not like people who go out there (to the mainland) and come back." (HSB)
About how he'll return kicks if UH wants, Tonga said:
"If they want me to, I'll do it for the team." (HSB)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Feature story on Colt
RS = redskins.com
About how his first NFL season, Colt said:
“It’s nice to have the first season done, because now you have finally seen it and you know it. You’re not questioning anything anymore. It was a great experience. I finally got to see what the NFL is all about.” (RS)
About transitioning to the NFL, Colt said:
“There was so much that was new. New feelings, new assignments, new things to get used to. You’re coming from college where you were a starter and you had a lot of responsibility. For me and most of the other [rookies], you had to come into a backup role. It was okay because you had time to learn and adjust to everything. But it’s nice now to have the first season done and know what to expect next year.” (RS)
RS Note: "Last preseason, Brennan provided some thrills for the Redskins and their fans. It was an exciting time for the fresh-faced, 25-year-old rookie. Overall, Brennan completed 36-of-53 passes for 411 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His QB rating of 109.9 led the offense. In his first professional outing, the Hall of Fame Game against Indianapolis on Aug. 3, Brennan completed 9-of-10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. His best performance may have been on Aug. 16 against the New York Jets. He completed 4-of-5 passes for 79 yards, including a 33-yard game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Jason Goode. Brennan showed he had a tendency to hold on to the ball too long in the pocket. He was sacked eight times in seven quarters of action in preseason."
RS Note: "When the Redskins selected Brennan last April, NFL draft gurus wondered if he would be able to adapt his sidearm release to a more conventional throwing motion. With head coach Jim Zorn emphasizing a strong, high release, Brennan has worked to adjust how he throws the ball. The sidearm release, so prevalent last preseason, is not as prominent now, Brennan said."
About how he still hasn't completely eliminated his sidearm release, Colt said:
“[Coach Zorn] told me, ‘As long as you’re accurate with the football and you can get the ball there, I want you to be comfortable.’” (RS)
About his throwing ability, Colt said:
“You saw in the preseason and in practice week-in and week-out, as far as my throwing ability, that has never been a question. It was never a question in college. It was something that people questioned whether it would work or not. I think if you watch enough film, you see that it really isn’t a problem.” (RS)
About his success in the preseason, Colt said:
“What I was really excited about was to have a couple games in preseason where I went out there and did a lot of good things. It allowed me to finally say, ‘Look, you can say what you want about me, but when you put me in there, I can get it done. I did it in preseason, I did it in college, I did it everywhere I’ve been at before that.’
When you look at some of the people who are successful in sports, it’s not always the person with the best technique who succeeds. Sometimes it’s someone who steps out of the box. I think when people saw me have success [in preseason], they were willing to accept me.
People were willing to say, ‘He’s different, but he’s good.’ I think people like different. They want to see if I pan out. They want to give me a chance. That was really the best thing I got out of preseason--people got excited about watching me play.” (RS)
About how his first NFL season, Colt said:
“It’s nice to have the first season done, because now you have finally seen it and you know it. You’re not questioning anything anymore. It was a great experience. I finally got to see what the NFL is all about.” (RS)
About transitioning to the NFL, Colt said:
“There was so much that was new. New feelings, new assignments, new things to get used to. You’re coming from college where you were a starter and you had a lot of responsibility. For me and most of the other [rookies], you had to come into a backup role. It was okay because you had time to learn and adjust to everything. But it’s nice now to have the first season done and know what to expect next year.” (RS)
RS Note: "Last preseason, Brennan provided some thrills for the Redskins and their fans. It was an exciting time for the fresh-faced, 25-year-old rookie. Overall, Brennan completed 36-of-53 passes for 411 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His QB rating of 109.9 led the offense. In his first professional outing, the Hall of Fame Game against Indianapolis on Aug. 3, Brennan completed 9-of-10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. His best performance may have been on Aug. 16 against the New York Jets. He completed 4-of-5 passes for 79 yards, including a 33-yard game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Jason Goode. Brennan showed he had a tendency to hold on to the ball too long in the pocket. He was sacked eight times in seven quarters of action in preseason."
RS Note: "When the Redskins selected Brennan last April, NFL draft gurus wondered if he would be able to adapt his sidearm release to a more conventional throwing motion. With head coach Jim Zorn emphasizing a strong, high release, Brennan has worked to adjust how he throws the ball. The sidearm release, so prevalent last preseason, is not as prominent now, Brennan said."
About how he still hasn't completely eliminated his sidearm release, Colt said:
“[Coach Zorn] told me, ‘As long as you’re accurate with the football and you can get the ball there, I want you to be comfortable.’” (RS)
About his throwing ability, Colt said:
“You saw in the preseason and in practice week-in and week-out, as far as my throwing ability, that has never been a question. It was never a question in college. It was something that people questioned whether it would work or not. I think if you watch enough film, you see that it really isn’t a problem.” (RS)
About his success in the preseason, Colt said:
“What I was really excited about was to have a couple games in preseason where I went out there and did a lot of good things. It allowed me to finally say, ‘Look, you can say what you want about me, but when you put me in there, I can get it done. I did it in preseason, I did it in college, I did it everywhere I’ve been at before that.’
When you look at some of the people who are successful in sports, it’s not always the person with the best technique who succeeds. Sometimes it’s someone who steps out of the box. I think when people saw me have success [in preseason], they were willing to accept me.
People were willing to say, ‘He’s different, but he’s good.’ I think people like different. They want to see if I pan out. They want to give me a chance. That was really the best thing I got out of preseason--people got excited about watching me play.” (RS)
S Aulola Tonga, RB Alex Green and K Kevin Bell commit to the Warriors!
About committing to the Warriors, 6'3", 200-pound (4.6 in the 40) Tonga said:
"I told coach (Greg McMackin) I wanted to be a Warrior." (HA)
HA Note: "Tonga also has a 38-inch vertical jump. At Kahuku, he has earned letters in basketball, volleyball, baseball, track and field and football. Next month, he will earn his Eagle Scout ranking. His project was to build a sandbox for a preschool in Kahuku."
About turning down UCLA and BYU, Tonga said:
"I wanted to play in front of my family and friends. I think there's a chance I can play right away." (HA)
HA Note: "Tonga's Kahuku teammate, All-State safety Kamalani Alo, earlier accepted a UH offer."
About Tonga, Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said:
"Aulola is a great athlete, and a coachable kid. He's never angry. He's always positive. He's doing very well in school." (HA)
About how Tonga received an offer from UH last spring, Torres said:
"A lot of schools are picking up on him, but UH wanted him from the start. You can see the effort McMackin is making. He's taking care of the kids. Aulola will be in good hands." (HA)
About how Tonga is expected to compete at free safety, Torres said:
"He's got the range and he's got the vertical. He can grow into a linebacker, playing the flats or rushing off the edge, forcing the quarterback to throw over him, which would be difficult to do." (HA)
HA Note: "Tonga, who took his recruiting visit this past weekend, said it was helpful to have Kahuku alumni as hosts. His guides were Inoke Funaki, Tuika Tufaga, Richard Torres and Paipai Falemalu."
About his recruiting visit to UH, Green said:
"The city is beautiful. The people are great. They made me feel welcomed." (HA)
About how his host was CB Lametrius Davis, his teammate at Butte as well as his middle-school classmate in Portland, Green said:
"I've known him a long time." (HA)
HA Note: "Davis played for Butte in 2008, and signed with UH the past December. He enrolled at UH two weeks ago. Green said he is 6-2 and 220 pounds, and is capable of sprinting 40 yards in 4.49 seconds. He can bench press 310 pounds."
About his 7-month-old daughter Harlym, Green said:
"I wanted to pick a name that would be unique." (HA)
HA Note: "Green also said Hawai'i's family-friendly atmosphere is conducive to raising children."
About choosing UH, Green said:
"Hawai'i is a good fit." (HA)
HA Note: "By verbally committing to the Warriors, Green is turning down scholarship offers from Washington, Texas-El Paso and Liberty."
About choosing to walk on at UH despite offers from Miami, Boise State, Utah, and Air Force, Bell said Hawaii is:
"a great place, really great culture. All of the people are nice. The weather is nice." (HA)
HA Note: "Bell is 5 feet 9 and 170 pounds. He said his range is 60 yards. Bell is an accomplished soccer player. At his father's urging, he decided to try out for football three years ago."
"I told coach (Greg McMackin) I wanted to be a Warrior." (HA)
HA Note: "Tonga also has a 38-inch vertical jump. At Kahuku, he has earned letters in basketball, volleyball, baseball, track and field and football. Next month, he will earn his Eagle Scout ranking. His project was to build a sandbox for a preschool in Kahuku."
About turning down UCLA and BYU, Tonga said:
"I wanted to play in front of my family and friends. I think there's a chance I can play right away." (HA)
HA Note: "Tonga's Kahuku teammate, All-State safety Kamalani Alo, earlier accepted a UH offer."
About Tonga, Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said:
"Aulola is a great athlete, and a coachable kid. He's never angry. He's always positive. He's doing very well in school." (HA)
About how Tonga received an offer from UH last spring, Torres said:
"A lot of schools are picking up on him, but UH wanted him from the start. You can see the effort McMackin is making. He's taking care of the kids. Aulola will be in good hands." (HA)
About how Tonga is expected to compete at free safety, Torres said:
"He's got the range and he's got the vertical. He can grow into a linebacker, playing the flats or rushing off the edge, forcing the quarterback to throw over him, which would be difficult to do." (HA)
HA Note: "Tonga, who took his recruiting visit this past weekend, said it was helpful to have Kahuku alumni as hosts. His guides were Inoke Funaki, Tuika Tufaga, Richard Torres and Paipai Falemalu."
About his recruiting visit to UH, Green said:
"The city is beautiful. The people are great. They made me feel welcomed." (HA)
About how his host was CB Lametrius Davis, his teammate at Butte as well as his middle-school classmate in Portland, Green said:
"I've known him a long time." (HA)
HA Note: "Davis played for Butte in 2008, and signed with UH the past December. He enrolled at UH two weeks ago. Green said he is 6-2 and 220 pounds, and is capable of sprinting 40 yards in 4.49 seconds. He can bench press 310 pounds."
About his 7-month-old daughter Harlym, Green said:
"I wanted to pick a name that would be unique." (HA)
HA Note: "Green also said Hawai'i's family-friendly atmosphere is conducive to raising children."
About choosing UH, Green said:
"Hawai'i is a good fit." (HA)
HA Note: "By verbally committing to the Warriors, Green is turning down scholarship offers from Washington, Texas-El Paso and Liberty."
About choosing to walk on at UH despite offers from Miami, Boise State, Utah, and Air Force, Bell said Hawaii is:
"a great place, really great culture. All of the people are nice. The weather is nice." (HA)
HA Note: "Bell is 5 feet 9 and 170 pounds. He said his range is 60 yards. Bell is an accomplished soccer player. At his father's urging, he decided to try out for football three years ago."
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Travis LaBoy talked about playing for the Warriors
About playing for the Warriors, Travis LaBoy said:
"I came in at a great time. (Former head coach) June Jones was turning the program around, and we had a great group of guys. I guess the biggest accomplishment for me was beating Fresno State. Not only were the guys talented, but we all worked very well together." (HSB)
"I came in at a great time. (Former head coach) June Jones was turning the program around, and we had a great group of guys. I guess the biggest accomplishment for me was beating Fresno State. Not only were the guys talented, but we all worked very well together." (HSB)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Feature article on the new playing field at the Ching Athletic Complex
About how they show off the new Ching Field to recruits, Mac said:
"The recruits look out our windows and see that big Hawaii (logo) out there and the field, and a lot of them have mentioned that. It shows the support that we're getting and I think it helps all the sports. It's really a positive influence on everything." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The Warriors coaches could hardly be blamed if they closed the shades in past years, when Cooke Field's deteriorating Astroturf was fading and eventually pulled up, leaving the black rubber padding exposed."
About the importance of the new field surface, Wahine track and field coach Carmyn James said:
"It's so central and it was such an eyesore. It really makes the whole athletic department look that much more professional." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The field will give the Warriors an on-campus alternative to their grass practice fields when the rains sweep through Manoa valley. There were several occasions late last season when the team practiced at nearby Saint Louis School when rain soaked the grass field."
HSB Note: "The $5 million donation made by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation was not used in the field renovation project. School officials are hopeful to get a matching appropriation to complete the plans for the facility -- including construction on grandstands -- unveiled when the donation was announced."
HSB Note: "With Ching Field soon to be completed, Cooke Field will remain a part of the lower campus as the upper grass practice field where the football team practices will be given that designation. It will be the fourth site on campus to bear that name."
About how all of the construction going on with their athletic facilities will give them a work-in-progress look over the coming months, Teri Chang (assistant AD for facilities) said:
"But that's a good thing." (HSB)
"The recruits look out our windows and see that big Hawaii (logo) out there and the field, and a lot of them have mentioned that. It shows the support that we're getting and I think it helps all the sports. It's really a positive influence on everything." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The Warriors coaches could hardly be blamed if they closed the shades in past years, when Cooke Field's deteriorating Astroturf was fading and eventually pulled up, leaving the black rubber padding exposed."
About the importance of the new field surface, Wahine track and field coach Carmyn James said:
"It's so central and it was such an eyesore. It really makes the whole athletic department look that much more professional." (HSB)
HSB Note: "The field will give the Warriors an on-campus alternative to their grass practice fields when the rains sweep through Manoa valley. There were several occasions late last season when the team practiced at nearby Saint Louis School when rain soaked the grass field."
HSB Note: "The $5 million donation made by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation was not used in the field renovation project. School officials are hopeful to get a matching appropriation to complete the plans for the facility -- including construction on grandstands -- unveiled when the donation was announced."
HSB Note: "With Ching Field soon to be completed, Cooke Field will remain a part of the lower campus as the upper grass practice field where the football team practices will be given that designation. It will be the fourth site on campus to bear that name."
About how all of the construction going on with their athletic facilities will give them a work-in-progress look over the coming months, Teri Chang (assistant AD for facilities) said:
"But that's a good thing." (HSB)
Article about the walk-on tryouts for the Warriors
About the 93 athletes that spent the 2 hours trying to make their team, Mac said:
"There were a lot of good athletes. Those who make it will be part of our family. Those who don't, I hope, will remain as fans. It's nothing personal. Sometimes it's a numbers game." (HA)
HA Note: "They were tested in the 40-yard dash, pro-agility drill and 225-pound bench press."
HA Note: "Bryant Moniz, who led Leilehua to the state championship game as a sophomore in 2004, was among the candidates. Moniz, who played at Fresno City College, is competing as a quarterback. He wore a black T-shirt with the words: All Bizness."
About trying to make the Warriors, 6'3", 340-pound Joseph Napeahi (All-State 2nd team with Kahuku in 2002, received interest from Nebraska, Washington, and Utah, but enrolloed at Fresno City College because he didn't meet the requirements to play as an NCAA freshman) said:
"Now, I'm here. I'm happy to be here." (HA)
HA Note: "Defensive end Aaron Rink attended the tryouts, although his place on the roster is solidified. Rink is 6 feet 3 1/2 and 228 pounds. He is capable of running 40 yards in 4.52 seconds."
About DE Aaron Rink, Jake Heun said:
"He's a player." (HA)
About how he only learned about the tryouts two days ago, Santos said:
"I just found out on Monday. I hadn't been going to the gym since November. I've been playing soccer and basketball. Soccer was my conditioning." (HA)
HA Note: "But Santos, who is 6 feet and 195 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.6 seconds. He also completed the pro-agility drill in 4.7 seconds. Santos will compete at wideout."
HA Note: "Offensive linemen Daniel Otineru and Lucas Kennard have championship rings as members of UH's 2007 team. But Otineru did not play in 2008 after undergoing surgery for sleep apnea. Kennard was cut because, at 250 pounds, he was deemed to be too light."
About trying out for the team despite being on the team in 2007, Otineru said:
"I'm not tripping about it. I'll do what I have to do." (HA)
About how he gained 35 pounds to weigh 285 and can bench press 400 pounds, Kennard said:
"I kept working hard, working to get back out here again." (HA)
About how he fit the NT role in UH's 3-4 defense under Glanville but was too heavy to be a DT in Mac's 4-3 D, Quentin Beaver said:
"I was too heavy. It was understandable. I kind of expected it. I wasn't discouraged. I started eating right, and running. I lost 60 pounds. Everything is fine now." (HA)
"There were a lot of good athletes. Those who make it will be part of our family. Those who don't, I hope, will remain as fans. It's nothing personal. Sometimes it's a numbers game." (HA)
HA Note: "They were tested in the 40-yard dash, pro-agility drill and 225-pound bench press."
HA Note: "Bryant Moniz, who led Leilehua to the state championship game as a sophomore in 2004, was among the candidates. Moniz, who played at Fresno City College, is competing as a quarterback. He wore a black T-shirt with the words: All Bizness."
About trying to make the Warriors, 6'3", 340-pound Joseph Napeahi (All-State 2nd team with Kahuku in 2002, received interest from Nebraska, Washington, and Utah, but enrolloed at Fresno City College because he didn't meet the requirements to play as an NCAA freshman) said:
"Now, I'm here. I'm happy to be here." (HA)
HA Note: "Defensive end Aaron Rink attended the tryouts, although his place on the roster is solidified. Rink is 6 feet 3 1/2 and 228 pounds. He is capable of running 40 yards in 4.52 seconds."
About DE Aaron Rink, Jake Heun said:
"He's a player." (HA)
About how he only learned about the tryouts two days ago, Santos said:
"I just found out on Monday. I hadn't been going to the gym since November. I've been playing soccer and basketball. Soccer was my conditioning." (HA)
HA Note: "But Santos, who is 6 feet and 195 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.6 seconds. He also completed the pro-agility drill in 4.7 seconds. Santos will compete at wideout."
HA Note: "Offensive linemen Daniel Otineru and Lucas Kennard have championship rings as members of UH's 2007 team. But Otineru did not play in 2008 after undergoing surgery for sleep apnea. Kennard was cut because, at 250 pounds, he was deemed to be too light."
About trying out for the team despite being on the team in 2007, Otineru said:
"I'm not tripping about it. I'll do what I have to do." (HA)
About how he gained 35 pounds to weigh 285 and can bench press 400 pounds, Kennard said:
"I kept working hard, working to get back out here again." (HA)
About how he fit the NT role in UH's 3-4 defense under Glanville but was too heavy to be a DT in Mac's 4-3 D, Quentin Beaver said:
"I was too heavy. It was understandable. I kind of expected it. I wasn't discouraged. I started eating right, and running. I lost 60 pounds. Everything is fine now." (HA)
Jovonte Taylor has recovered from his viral infection
About his slightly torn meniscus, which he had arthroscopic surgery on to repair, Taylor said:
"It’s nothing major." (HA)
HA Note: "Taylor, who was on crutches yesterday, said he should be able to resume workouts in three weeks."
About how he withdrew from classes last October when he suffered a viral infection, Taylor (whose weight dropped to 153) said:
Taylor withdrew from classes the past October when he suffered a viral infection.
"I lost 25 pounds, to be exact. I thought I was dying, man. It was beyond scary. I laid in the bed for 3 1/2 weeks straight. I lost my appetite." (HA)
HA Note: "He returned home to Los Angeles to recuperate. He said he now weighs 180 pounds."
"It’s nothing major." (HA)
HA Note: "Taylor, who was on crutches yesterday, said he should be able to resume workouts in three weeks."
About how he withdrew from classes last October when he suffered a viral infection, Taylor (whose weight dropped to 153) said:
Taylor withdrew from classes the past October when he suffered a viral infection.
"I lost 25 pounds, to be exact. I thought I was dying, man. It was beyond scary. I laid in the bed for 3 1/2 weeks straight. I lost my appetite." (HA)
HA Note: "He returned home to Los Angeles to recuperate. He said he now weighs 180 pounds."
Keala Watson retired from football
About being forced to retire from football, Keala Watson (who will earn a bachelor's degree in environmental studies in May and whose wife Leona is expecting their first child in February) said:
"I had a good run, I’ve been blessed." (HA)
HA Note: "Watson had a productive career with the Warriors despite suffering from Von Willebrand disorder, a condition similar to hemophilia in which a chemical deficiency does not allow his blood to clot normally. A blood-clotting medicine enabled Watson to play for the Warriors. But recent medical tests showed that the medication had diminished efficiency in treating his disorder."
"I had a good run, I’ve been blessed." (HA)
HA Note: "Watson had a productive career with the Warriors despite suffering from Von Willebrand disorder, a condition similar to hemophilia in which a chemical deficiency does not allow his blood to clot normally. A blood-clotting medicine enabled Watson to play for the Warriors. But recent medical tests showed that the medication had diminished efficiency in treating his disorder."
The Warriors are in favor of an early signing period for recruits
About how he is in favor of an early signing period, Mac said:
"I think it's good for the kids and saves the schools money." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Donovan says it works well for other sports, and doesn't see why it wouldn't for football."
About how the BCS schools don't want an early signing period, radio talk-show host and former UH WR Darrick Branch said:
"They don't want a level playing field. (The major conferences) want to continue having the edge because they have big budgets. The smaller schools that could win over some players because of unique education opportunities or genuine relationships get beat out the longer the race is because they don't have the money to keep recruiting them after they've committed." (HSB)
"I think it's good for the kids and saves the schools money." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Donovan says it works well for other sports, and doesn't see why it wouldn't for football."
About how the BCS schools don't want an early signing period, radio talk-show host and former UH WR Darrick Branch said:
"They don't want a level playing field. (The major conferences) want to continue having the edge because they have big budgets. The smaller schools that could win over some players because of unique education opportunities or genuine relationships get beat out the longer the race is because they don't have the money to keep recruiting them after they've committed." (HSB)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Ikaika Malloe (DT coach and special teams coordinator) leaves for Yale
About accepting the defensive coordinator job at Yale, Ikaika Malloe said:
"This might have been the most stressful decision I ever made. My heart will always be here. It's been a dream of mine to not only be a coordinator, but to one day be a head coach. You'll never know if you'll get another chance. I don't want to regret not taking it." (HA)
"It's very tough. Even now that I've made the decision it's still tough. ... It's been very stressful over the last week. My ultimate goal, like I told Coach McMackin, is to someday be in his position (as a head coach). I feel God has blessed me with this opportunity and I want to make the best of it." (HSB)
Malloe laughed as he said:
"You've got a local boy at an Ivy League school? Now I have to brush up on my English."
About his long history with Tom Williams (former UH defensive coordinator), Malloe said:
"Tom and I have a long history and, like a lot of other coaches, Tom has been one of my biggest mentors." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Williams, a former Hawaii assistant who was introduced as Yale's new head coach Jan. 7, was an assistant with the Huskies from 1999 to 2001. Malloe, a standout Huskies safety, began his coaching career as a student assistant at Washington in 1997 and stayed in Seattle until 2001."
About how Malloe made him a better player, Jake Ingram said:
"I'm glad I got to spend that year with him and got to see a different perspective on special teams. In the spring he worked with me on some things that really helped me with my snapping and made me a more confident player. A lot of the success I had this year is because of him." (HSB)
"He's an awesome coach." (HA)
Mac praised Malloe's work during:
"the transition year." (HA)
"Ikaika did a great job on the field and in recruiting for us and I wish him and his family all the best." (HSB)
"This might have been the most stressful decision I ever made. My heart will always be here. It's been a dream of mine to not only be a coordinator, but to one day be a head coach. You'll never know if you'll get another chance. I don't want to regret not taking it." (HA)
"It's very tough. Even now that I've made the decision it's still tough. ... It's been very stressful over the last week. My ultimate goal, like I told Coach McMackin, is to someday be in his position (as a head coach). I feel God has blessed me with this opportunity and I want to make the best of it." (HSB)
Malloe laughed as he said:
"You've got a local boy at an Ivy League school? Now I have to brush up on my English."
About his long history with Tom Williams (former UH defensive coordinator), Malloe said:
"Tom and I have a long history and, like a lot of other coaches, Tom has been one of my biggest mentors." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Williams, a former Hawaii assistant who was introduced as Yale's new head coach Jan. 7, was an assistant with the Huskies from 1999 to 2001. Malloe, a standout Huskies safety, began his coaching career as a student assistant at Washington in 1997 and stayed in Seattle until 2001."
About how Malloe made him a better player, Jake Ingram said:
"I'm glad I got to spend that year with him and got to see a different perspective on special teams. In the spring he worked with me on some things that really helped me with my snapping and made me a more confident player. A lot of the success I had this year is because of him." (HSB)
"He's an awesome coach." (HA)
Mac praised Malloe's work during:
"the transition year." (HA)
"Ikaika did a great job on the field and in recruiting for us and I wish him and his family all the best." (HSB)
Friday, January 16, 2009
6'7" lineman Pierce Burton commits to the Warriors!
About committing to the Warriors, 6'7", 250-pound Pierce Burton from Rio Americano High (Sacramento) said:
"I decided to commit. It's the place for me." (HA)
HA Note: "By accepting, he is turning down an appointment from the U.S. Military Academy. He also received interest from Boise State and San Jose State."
About how he could be an OL or DL for the Warriors, Burton said:
"Right now, (the Warriors) are recruiting me as an athlete. It depends on how my body develops. If I stay the same size and get stronger, I'll be a defensive lineman. They're hoping I'll gain 50 pounds and be an offensive tackle. They think with my height and build, I should be an offensive lineman." (HA)
About how he thought he would be a college basketball player after he was 6'6" in the 8th grade but he grew only an inch more, Burton said:
"I always wanted to play football. But I was concerned I might get hurt and wouldn't be able to pursue basketball. But now everything is falling into place as far as football goes." (HA)
HA Note: "He joined the football team, as a tight end, in August 2007. During spring training in April 2008, he began working out as a lineman on both offense and defense. The Raiders were 8-2 during the 2008 regular season. They lost in the first round of the playoffs. Burton was named the Raiders' top defensive lineman. He had 70 tackles and 11 sacks."
HA Note: "Burton gained notice when he attended the Nike combine in Oakland. Out of more than 1,000 players, he was ranked No. 4. The top three were running backs. The rankings were based on an index that corresponds to a player's height and weight with his performance in the 40-yard dash, pro-agility shuttle, vertical jump and powerball throw. Burton's score was the best nationally among offensive linemen and tight ends. At the combine, he ran the 40 in 5.0 seconds, had a vertical jump of 30 inches and threw the 7-pound powerball 45 feet. The powerball replaced the bench-press drill as a measuring tool. He is capable of benching a maximum 350 pounds."
About his recruiting trip to Hawaii last weekend, where Aaron Kia, John Estes, and Jeramy Bryant were his hosts, Burton said:
"I had a good time." (HA)
About how his father Larry lived on Maui for 3 years when he was in his early 20s, Burton said:
"He loved to surf there." (HA)
"I decided to commit. It's the place for me." (HA)
HA Note: "By accepting, he is turning down an appointment from the U.S. Military Academy. He also received interest from Boise State and San Jose State."
About how he could be an OL or DL for the Warriors, Burton said:
"Right now, (the Warriors) are recruiting me as an athlete. It depends on how my body develops. If I stay the same size and get stronger, I'll be a defensive lineman. They're hoping I'll gain 50 pounds and be an offensive tackle. They think with my height and build, I should be an offensive lineman." (HA)
About how he thought he would be a college basketball player after he was 6'6" in the 8th grade but he grew only an inch more, Burton said:
"I always wanted to play football. But I was concerned I might get hurt and wouldn't be able to pursue basketball. But now everything is falling into place as far as football goes." (HA)
HA Note: "He joined the football team, as a tight end, in August 2007. During spring training in April 2008, he began working out as a lineman on both offense and defense. The Raiders were 8-2 during the 2008 regular season. They lost in the first round of the playoffs. Burton was named the Raiders' top defensive lineman. He had 70 tackles and 11 sacks."
HA Note: "Burton gained notice when he attended the Nike combine in Oakland. Out of more than 1,000 players, he was ranked No. 4. The top three were running backs. The rankings were based on an index that corresponds to a player's height and weight with his performance in the 40-yard dash, pro-agility shuttle, vertical jump and powerball throw. Burton's score was the best nationally among offensive linemen and tight ends. At the combine, he ran the 40 in 5.0 seconds, had a vertical jump of 30 inches and threw the 7-pound powerball 45 feet. The powerball replaced the bench-press drill as a measuring tool. He is capable of benching a maximum 350 pounds."
About his recruiting trip to Hawaii last weekend, where Aaron Kia, John Estes, and Jeramy Bryant were his hosts, Burton said:
"I had a good time." (HA)
About how his father Larry lived on Maui for 3 years when he was in his early 20s, Burton said:
"He loved to surf there." (HA)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
David Graves ran a similar office in high school
About how he'll fit in with UH well, David Graves said:
"The offense is real similar to the offense we ran in high school and I think I can fit into the island lifestyle real well." (HSB)
About how QBs Corey Nielsen and Cayman Shutter had already committed to UH, Graves said:
"I believe the competition will only make us stronger." (HSB)
bout how Graves did well at QB after playing WR in his other varsity seasons, Folsom coach Kris Richardson said:
"He handled it from Day 1 like he'd been there forever." (HSB)
"The offense is real similar to the offense we ran in high school and I think I can fit into the island lifestyle real well." (HSB)
About how QBs Corey Nielsen and Cayman Shutter had already committed to UH, Graves said:
"I believe the competition will only make us stronger." (HSB)
bout how Graves did well at QB after playing WR in his other varsity seasons, Folsom coach Kris Richardson said:
"He handled it from Day 1 like he'd been there forever." (HSB)
JD talks about not doing road trips to places like Florida in the future
About how they won't want to take road trips to top teams like Florida in the future, JD said:
"It (playing a national championship pick on the road in front of a huge and hostile crowd), isn't anything we want to do. It could happen if somebody takes off and has a great season. But it won't be because we want it to." (HA)
"It (playing a national championship pick on the road in front of a huge and hostile crowd), isn't anything we want to do. It could happen if somebody takes off and has a great season. But it won't be because we want it to." (HA)
David Veikune invited to the Senior Bowl!
About accepting the invitation to the Senior Bowl, Veikune said:
"I'm very excited about the opportunity." (HA)
About how he was about to leave for his flight to the East-West Shrine Game, Veikune said:
"I didn't find out until about 5:45 this morning. I was about a minute away from getting into a cab when my agent called and told me to unpack my bags. It's going to be an honor to play in the Senior Bowl." (HSB)
HA Note: "Veikune and former UH cornerback Ryan Mouton are training in Carson, Calif. Veikune, Mouton and long-snapper Jake Ingram have been invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis."
About how he's on a diet that requires him to eat 4,800 calories a day, with his pre-made meals coming from Sunfare, Veikune said:
"You get to choose what you like and what you don't like. It helps. You don't have to think about cooking." (HA)
HA Note: "Veikune, who is 6 feet 3, wishes to weigh "in the 260 range" when he reports for the Senior Bowl workouts."
About the visibility that Veikune will get in the Senior Bowl, his agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"When you play for Hawaii and in the WAC, a lot of people in the Midwest and East Coast don't really get an opportunity to see you. It's a great opportunity for him to showcase himself." (HSB)
"I'm very excited about the opportunity." (HA)
About how he was about to leave for his flight to the East-West Shrine Game, Veikune said:
"I didn't find out until about 5:45 this morning. I was about a minute away from getting into a cab when my agent called and told me to unpack my bags. It's going to be an honor to play in the Senior Bowl." (HSB)
HA Note: "Veikune and former UH cornerback Ryan Mouton are training in Carson, Calif. Veikune, Mouton and long-snapper Jake Ingram have been invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis."
About how he's on a diet that requires him to eat 4,800 calories a day, with his pre-made meals coming from Sunfare, Veikune said:
"You get to choose what you like and what you don't like. It helps. You don't have to think about cooking." (HA)
HA Note: "Veikune, who is 6 feet 3, wishes to weigh "in the 260 range" when he reports for the Senior Bowl workouts."
About the visibility that Veikune will get in the Senior Bowl, his agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"When you play for Hawaii and in the WAC, a lot of people in the Midwest and East Coast don't really get an opportunity to see you. It's a great opportunity for him to showcase himself." (HSB)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
BCS Conference Record vs. Non-BCS Conference teams
I was asked to study a few issues with BCS Conference teams and their record vs. non-BCS Conference teams. I'm first going to post this on the Warrior Beat, but I'm putting this here to archive my work. Once again, I want to give credit for this work to this awesome site: http://football.stassen.com/records/multi-conference.html.
I'm going to study the number of games the BCS Conference teams played against Non-BCS Conference teams over the past 5 years. That is what koakane asked for, so that is the issue studied here.
2007
CUSA vs. BCS: 2-25
MAC vs. BCS: 5-35
MWC vs. BCS: 8-10
SUN vs. BCS: 3-23
WAC vs. BCS: 3-16
Totals: 130 games, 21-109, win percentage 19.3%
2006
CUSA vs. BCS: 6-24
MAC vs. BCS: 4-30
MWC vs. BCS: 4-9
SUN vs. BCS: 0-24
WAC vs. BCS: 6-15
Totals: 122 games, 20-102, win percentage 19.6%
2005
CUSA vs. BCS: 2-20
MAC vs. BCS: 2-21
MWC vs. BCS: 7-8
SUN vs. BCS: 1-17
WAC vs. BCS: 0-17
Totals: 95 games, 12-83, win percentage 14.5%
2004
CUSA vs. BCS: 4-21
MAC vs. BCS: 3-21
MWC vs. BCS: 8-14
SUN vs. BCS: 1-12
WAC vs. BCS: 6-11
Totals: 101 games, 22-79, win percentage 27.8%
2003
CUSA vs. BCS: 5-25
MAC vs. BCS: 7-18
MWC vs. BCS: 8-13
SUN vs. BCS: 1-18
WAC vs. BCS: 5-16
Totals: 116 games, 26-90, win percentage 28.9%
I'm going to study the number of games the BCS Conference teams played against Non-BCS Conference teams over the past 5 years. That is what koakane asked for, so that is the issue studied here.
2007
CUSA vs. BCS: 2-25
MAC vs. BCS: 5-35
MWC vs. BCS: 8-10
SUN vs. BCS: 3-23
WAC vs. BCS: 3-16
Totals: 130 games, 21-109, win percentage 19.3%
2006
CUSA vs. BCS: 6-24
MAC vs. BCS: 4-30
MWC vs. BCS: 4-9
SUN vs. BCS: 0-24
WAC vs. BCS: 6-15
Totals: 122 games, 20-102, win percentage 19.6%
2005
CUSA vs. BCS: 2-20
MAC vs. BCS: 2-21
MWC vs. BCS: 7-8
SUN vs. BCS: 1-17
WAC vs. BCS: 0-17
Totals: 95 games, 12-83, win percentage 14.5%
2004
CUSA vs. BCS: 4-21
MAC vs. BCS: 3-21
MWC vs. BCS: 8-14
SUN vs. BCS: 1-12
WAC vs. BCS: 6-11
Totals: 101 games, 22-79, win percentage 27.8%
2003
CUSA vs. BCS: 5-25
MAC vs. BCS: 7-18
MWC vs. BCS: 8-13
SUN vs. BCS: 1-18
WAC vs. BCS: 5-16
Totals: 116 games, 26-90, win percentage 28.9%
Jake Ingram walked on at UH to represent Hawaii
About choosing to walk on at UH instead of taking a scholarship as a DE at a lower level, Jake Ingram said:
“I could have gone to a Division (I-AA) school and received a scholarship as a defensive end. But my whole thing was to represent Hawai‘i. I’m from Hawai‘i. It’s all about representing Hawai‘i.” (HA)
“I could have gone to a Division (I-AA) school and received a scholarship as a defensive end. But my whole thing was to represent Hawai‘i. I’m from Hawai‘i. It’s all about representing Hawai‘i.” (HA)
UH Football and Women's Volleyball revenue down $1.25 million from 2007
About the $1.2 million drop in football ticket revenue in 2008 (compared to 2007) and the $55k drop in Wahine volleyball ticket revenue in 2008, JD said:
"The numbers aren't a surprise to me, but they are a little disappointing. We're seeing it in every sector (of business) and we, especially, started to feel it from early November on." (HA)
HA Note: "Football and women's volleyball are two of the three biggest revenue-producing sports in the 19-team lineup at UH. Men's basketball, whose season is currently under way, is the other. As a result, UH officials said they are projecting as much as a $3 million shortfall of the $29.5 million budget for the current fiscal year."
About their hiring freeze and other measures to try to reduce their deficit, JD said:
"We have asked our people to cut back and be prudent in their spending." (HA)
HA Note: "The athletic department has run at a deficit since 2002. When Donovan replaced Herman Frazier 10 months ago, UH had accumulated a net deficit of $4.4 million to $6 million, according to insider estimates. The annual independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, which must be approved by the Board of Regents, is scheduled to be released next month."
About how they aren't going to raise season ticket prices, JD said:
"Obviously, the public is hurting right now and we're not about to raise prices." (HA)
HA Note: "Football ticket revenue for 2008 was the lowest since 2005, when UH earned $4.12 million. Last year, in the march to the Sugar Bowl, UH took in $5.85 million. UH had seven home games for all but the 2006 season, when it had eight. Despite an increase of nearly 5,000 season tickets over 2007 to 27,585, average per-game attendance dropped from 41,325 to 33,691 in 2008, according to unaudited figures. Average Rainbow Wahine volleyball attendance dropped from 6,452 in 2007 to 5,944 in 2008. The athletic department generates about 83 percent of its $29.5 million operating budget. The remainder, about $4.6 million, comes from university general funds and goes for the operation of lower campus facilities ($1.4 million) and scholarship support ($3.2 million), according to UH. One bright note for UH is expected to be a rise in its television/pay-per-view rights fees. For the 2007 season, UH received $2.54 million and is expected to receive approximately $2.61 million for 2008."
JD said that their road-game PPV package for season ticket holders at a 65% discount off the price to non-season ticket holders, otherwise:
"the pay-per-view sales mirrored our slump (at the box office)." (HA)
"The numbers aren't a surprise to me, but they are a little disappointing. We're seeing it in every sector (of business) and we, especially, started to feel it from early November on." (HA)
HA Note: "Football and women's volleyball are two of the three biggest revenue-producing sports in the 19-team lineup at UH. Men's basketball, whose season is currently under way, is the other. As a result, UH officials said they are projecting as much as a $3 million shortfall of the $29.5 million budget for the current fiscal year."
About their hiring freeze and other measures to try to reduce their deficit, JD said:
"We have asked our people to cut back and be prudent in their spending." (HA)
HA Note: "The athletic department has run at a deficit since 2002. When Donovan replaced Herman Frazier 10 months ago, UH had accumulated a net deficit of $4.4 million to $6 million, according to insider estimates. The annual independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, which must be approved by the Board of Regents, is scheduled to be released next month."
About how they aren't going to raise season ticket prices, JD said:
"Obviously, the public is hurting right now and we're not about to raise prices." (HA)
HA Note: "Football ticket revenue for 2008 was the lowest since 2005, when UH earned $4.12 million. Last year, in the march to the Sugar Bowl, UH took in $5.85 million. UH had seven home games for all but the 2006 season, when it had eight. Despite an increase of nearly 5,000 season tickets over 2007 to 27,585, average per-game attendance dropped from 41,325 to 33,691 in 2008, according to unaudited figures. Average Rainbow Wahine volleyball attendance dropped from 6,452 in 2007 to 5,944 in 2008. The athletic department generates about 83 percent of its $29.5 million operating budget. The remainder, about $4.6 million, comes from university general funds and goes for the operation of lower campus facilities ($1.4 million) and scholarship support ($3.2 million), according to UH. One bright note for UH is expected to be a rise in its television/pay-per-view rights fees. For the 2007 season, UH received $2.54 million and is expected to receive approximately $2.61 million for 2008."
JD said that their road-game PPV package for season ticket holders at a 65% discount off the price to non-season ticket holders, otherwise:
"the pay-per-view sales mirrored our slump (at the box office)." (HA)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Jake Ingram and Ryan Mouton prepare for the NFL combine
About having both Mouton and Ingram at the NFL combine, their agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"This will be good for Ryan and David." (HA)
HA Note: "Ingram has been invited to participate in the NFL-sponsored Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., this month, and the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He is only one of two long-snappers invited to both elite events. Earlier, former UH cornerback Ryan Mouton and defensive end David Veikune were invited to the NFL combine. Both also will play in the East West Shrine Game in Houston."
About how they invited Ingram because he's the nation's highest-rated long-snapper, Senior Bowl President Steve Hale said:
"We take specialists very seriously. We spend a lot of time evaluating punters, placekickers and long-snappers. Most of the time, the specialists (invited to the Senior Bowl) are either drafted or make an NFL club as a free agent. Jake is a very good long-snapper." (HA)
About his high evaluation, Ingram said:
"I won't believe it until it really happens. If it happens, that will be confirmation for me." (HA)
HA Note: "Ingram is training in West Lake, a suburb of Los Angeles. He lifts weights, run and snaps. He also has been placed on a weight-gain program in which he has six meals and drinks five protein shakes every day. The 6-foot-4 Ingram weighs 240 pounds, and his goal is to reach 250."
About why he needs to gain 10 pounds, Ingram said:
"I start the protection. They're going to be some big linebacker athletes who will try to run down the A gap (between the snapper and guard). I have to keep them from moving back the point." (HA)
Ingram said that the Senior Bowl and combine:
"will be an opportunity to showcase my skill." (HA)
About Mouton, who is training in Carson, CA, Zuckerman said:
"He's got such amazing athleticism and speed. Scouts are excited to see him. He's a great cover guy." (HA)
About how Mouton's 39-inch vertical jump and speed alleviates concerns over his 5' 9.5" height, Zuckerman said:
"If you can cover and have an amazing vertical, if you're 5-91/2 and not 5-10, what does it matter? That's what the East West will show." (HA)
HA Note: "Mouton, who weighs 183 pounds, has been placed on a daily 4,500-calorie diet. He said he wants to weigh "close to 187" for the scouts during East West testing. Still, Mouton is trying to maintain his quickness. At Blinn College, he ran 40 yards in 4.27 seconds. He said his goal is to run in the low 4.3s at the combine."
About working out twice per day, from 8-10:30am and from 1:30pm-3:30pm, Mouton said:
"This is an all-day job. You have to put in the work if you want the results." (HA)
"This will be good for Ryan and David." (HA)
HA Note: "Ingram has been invited to participate in the NFL-sponsored Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., this month, and the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He is only one of two long-snappers invited to both elite events. Earlier, former UH cornerback Ryan Mouton and defensive end David Veikune were invited to the NFL combine. Both also will play in the East West Shrine Game in Houston."
About how they invited Ingram because he's the nation's highest-rated long-snapper, Senior Bowl President Steve Hale said:
"We take specialists very seriously. We spend a lot of time evaluating punters, placekickers and long-snappers. Most of the time, the specialists (invited to the Senior Bowl) are either drafted or make an NFL club as a free agent. Jake is a very good long-snapper." (HA)
About his high evaluation, Ingram said:
"I won't believe it until it really happens. If it happens, that will be confirmation for me." (HA)
HA Note: "Ingram is training in West Lake, a suburb of Los Angeles. He lifts weights, run and snaps. He also has been placed on a weight-gain program in which he has six meals and drinks five protein shakes every day. The 6-foot-4 Ingram weighs 240 pounds, and his goal is to reach 250."
About why he needs to gain 10 pounds, Ingram said:
"I start the protection. They're going to be some big linebacker athletes who will try to run down the A gap (between the snapper and guard). I have to keep them from moving back the point." (HA)
Ingram said that the Senior Bowl and combine:
"will be an opportunity to showcase my skill." (HA)
About Mouton, who is training in Carson, CA, Zuckerman said:
"He's got such amazing athleticism and speed. Scouts are excited to see him. He's a great cover guy." (HA)
About how Mouton's 39-inch vertical jump and speed alleviates concerns over his 5' 9.5" height, Zuckerman said:
"If you can cover and have an amazing vertical, if you're 5-91/2 and not 5-10, what does it matter? That's what the East West will show." (HA)
HA Note: "Mouton, who weighs 183 pounds, has been placed on a daily 4,500-calorie diet. He said he wants to weigh "close to 187" for the scouts during East West testing. Still, Mouton is trying to maintain his quickness. At Blinn College, he ran 40 yards in 4.27 seconds. He said his goal is to run in the low 4.3s at the combine."
About working out twice per day, from 8-10:30am and from 1:30pm-3:30pm, Mouton said:
"This is an all-day job. You have to put in the work if you want the results." (HA)
Destin Stewart commits to the Warriors!
About how he likes the weather in Hawaii more than his Oklahoma weather, Destin "D-Stew" Stewart said:
"I really like the weather over there. The year-round weather is always warm. Right now (in Oklahoma), it's a little cold. It's in the 20s." (HA)
About how he also liked the Warriors four-wide offense, the coaching staff, and his future teammates, Stewart said:
"Those are the reasons I decided to commit to Hawai'i." (HA)
HA Note: "Stewart, a senior at Oklahoma City's Douglass High, said he is 6 feet 4, 200 pounds and can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. He was named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association's 2008 All-State team as a receiver, despite playing in a run-oriented offense. www.Rivals.com listed Stewart in its Oklahoma High Top-35 list of prospects."
About being named to the Daily Oklahoman's All-State second team as a punter, Stewart said:
"I don't know my average. I just kicked it as far as possible." (HA)
Stewart made a verbal commitment to Tulsa a couple of months ago, but after a few weeks he said:
I de-committed. I wanted to get away from Oklahoma, really." (HA)
HA Note: "Stewart received offers from Kansas State, Toledo and Wyoming, and interest from Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma State."
Stewart said that after he visited Hawaii the weekend before the Hawaii Bowl:
"Hawai'i felt like the best fit. I really liked it down there. It's a great environment." (HA)
HA Note: "He also said he was impressed with UH's academic program. Stewart has a 3.7 grade-point average this year, and has earned an NCAA-qualifying score on the SAT. Stewart also is the starting wing player on Douglass' basketball team. He averages 13.0 points per game. The Trojans are ranked fourth in the state."
About how he was 5'5" as a 7th grader and grew *9* inches by the of the 8th grade, Stewart said:
"I'm trying to hit another growth spurt." (HA)
HA Note: "Stewart has several hobbies. He often rides American Quarter Horses on his uncle's ranch in Central Oklahoma."
About how he's difficult to find in the woods where paint-ball competitions are held, Stewart said:
"I can hide a little bit." (HA)
About how his parents has chosen "Destiny" as a girl's name because they thought they were having a girl, Stewart said:
"Because I was a boy, my mother named me Destin." (HA)
"I really like the weather over there. The year-round weather is always warm. Right now (in Oklahoma), it's a little cold. It's in the 20s." (HA)
About how he also liked the Warriors four-wide offense, the coaching staff, and his future teammates, Stewart said:
"Those are the reasons I decided to commit to Hawai'i." (HA)
HA Note: "Stewart, a senior at Oklahoma City's Douglass High, said he is 6 feet 4, 200 pounds and can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. He was named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association's 2008 All-State team as a receiver, despite playing in a run-oriented offense. www.Rivals.com listed Stewart in its Oklahoma High Top-35 list of prospects."
About being named to the Daily Oklahoman's All-State second team as a punter, Stewart said:
"I don't know my average. I just kicked it as far as possible." (HA)
Stewart made a verbal commitment to Tulsa a couple of months ago, but after a few weeks he said:
I de-committed. I wanted to get away from Oklahoma, really." (HA)
HA Note: "Stewart received offers from Kansas State, Toledo and Wyoming, and interest from Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma State."
Stewart said that after he visited Hawaii the weekend before the Hawaii Bowl:
"Hawai'i felt like the best fit. I really liked it down there. It's a great environment." (HA)
HA Note: "He also said he was impressed with UH's academic program. Stewart has a 3.7 grade-point average this year, and has earned an NCAA-qualifying score on the SAT. Stewart also is the starting wing player on Douglass' basketball team. He averages 13.0 points per game. The Trojans are ranked fourth in the state."
About how he was 5'5" as a 7th grader and grew *9* inches by the of the 8th grade, Stewart said:
"I'm trying to hit another growth spurt." (HA)
HA Note: "Stewart has several hobbies. He often rides American Quarter Horses on his uncle's ranch in Central Oklahoma."
About how he's difficult to find in the woods where paint-ball competitions are held, Stewart said:
"I can hide a little bit." (HA)
About how his parents has chosen "Destiny" as a girl's name because they thought they were having a girl, Stewart said:
"Because I was a boy, my mother named me Destin." (HA)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Great utility for comparing Conference vs. Conference performance
I stumbled across this awesome utility for comparing stats for teams from one conference and how they did against another conference. It also breaks things down for how each team did against any specific conference or team, which is awesome also. To run your own searches, go here.
I did a few searches for the 4 seasons between 2004 and 2007 in order to see the results. Plus, I think that the WAC did worse in 2008...
WAC vs MAC, 4-1
WAC vs Sun Belt, 11-8
WAC vs C-USA, 4-5
WAC vs Big 10, 4-5
WAC vs MWC, 15-19
WAC vs ACC, 2-5
WAC vs Big 12, 3-14
WAC vs Pac-10, 6-27
WAC vs SEC, 0-14
For comparison purposes, here is the record for the MWC:
MWC vs MAC, 2-0
MWC vs Sun Belt, 3-0
MWC vs C-USA, 9-10
MWC vs Big 10, 1-7
MWC vs WAC, 19-15
MWC vs ACC, 3-4
MWC vs Big 12, 9-8
MWC vs Pac-10, 10-18
MWC vs SEC, 2-3
MWC vs Big East, 2-2
For comparison purposes, here is the record for the Big 12:
Big 12 vs MAC, 2-0
Big 12 vs Sun Belt, 27-1
Big 12 vs C-USA, 20-3
Big 12 vs Big 10, 9-6
Big 12 vs WAC, 14-3
Big 12 vs ACC, 6-5
Big 12 vs MWC, 8-9
Big 12 vs Pac-10, 8-10
Big 12 vs SEC, 6-7
Big 12 vs Big East 3-3
I did a few searches for the 4 seasons between 2004 and 2007 in order to see the results. Plus, I think that the WAC did worse in 2008...
WAC vs MAC, 4-1
WAC vs Sun Belt, 11-8
WAC vs C-USA, 4-5
WAC vs Big 10, 4-5
WAC vs MWC, 15-19
WAC vs ACC, 2-5
WAC vs Big 12, 3-14
WAC vs Pac-10, 6-27
WAC vs SEC, 0-14
For comparison purposes, here is the record for the MWC:
MWC vs MAC, 2-0
MWC vs Sun Belt, 3-0
MWC vs C-USA, 9-10
MWC vs Big 10, 1-7
MWC vs WAC, 19-15
MWC vs ACC, 3-4
MWC vs Big 12, 9-8
MWC vs Pac-10, 10-18
MWC vs SEC, 2-3
MWC vs Big East, 2-2
For comparison purposes, here is the record for the Big 12:
Big 12 vs MAC, 2-0
Big 12 vs Sun Belt, 27-1
Big 12 vs C-USA, 20-3
Big 12 vs Big 10, 9-6
Big 12 vs WAC, 14-3
Big 12 vs ACC, 6-5
Big 12 vs MWC, 8-9
Big 12 vs Pac-10, 8-10
Big 12 vs SEC, 6-7
Big 12 vs Big East 3-3
Jason Rivers and Hercules Satele join the Spokane Shock!
shock = Spokane Shock Official Site
Happy that they were able to sign Jason Rivers, head coach Adam Shackleford said:
“His numbers are obviously impressive; he is one of the highest-rated players that we have ever signed. During the recruiting process, we learned that his character is every bit as impressive as his numbers on the field.” (shock)
About how he is a leader, Rivers said:
“I am a leader – in a game and in practice I lead by example. I’m tenacious – I don’t give up. I’m definitely a go-getter on the field.” (shock)
About signing Hercules, Shackleford said:
“He’s one of the strongest linemen we have ever signed. But in addition to his size and strength he is very athletic. When he was with the Cardinals he played both left guard and center because of his athleticism.” (shock)
Happy that they were able to sign Jason Rivers, head coach Adam Shackleford said:
“His numbers are obviously impressive; he is one of the highest-rated players that we have ever signed. During the recruiting process, we learned that his character is every bit as impressive as his numbers on the field.” (shock)
About how he is a leader, Rivers said:
“I am a leader – in a game and in practice I lead by example. I’m tenacious – I don’t give up. I’m definitely a go-getter on the field.” (shock)
About signing Hercules, Shackleford said:
“He’s one of the strongest linemen we have ever signed. But in addition to his size and strength he is very athletic. When he was with the Cardinals he played both left guard and center because of his athleticism.” (shock)
QB David Graves commits to the Warriors
About UH getting David Graves, his mentor Troy Taylor said:
"Hawai'i is getting a great player and a great person." (HA)
HA Note: "The latest University of Hawai'i football commitment was named Sacramento's Metro Football Player of the Year. He was one of the nation's most efficient high school quarterbacks, completing 72 percent of his passes and throwing for 40 touchdowns in 11 games. And he has a cumulative grade-point average of 3.76."
HA Note: "Graves, who is 6 feet 1 and 191 pounds, said he chose the Warriors because of the four-wide offense, the coaching staff and "Hawai'i's music.""
About his love for Jawaiian music and traditional island songs, Graves said:
"I love the music of the islands. I love the bending guitars, and the real soothing voices." (HA)
About how Curtis Gaesser, director of Folsom's award-winning Jazz Band & Choir, was raised in Hawaii, Graves said:
"He grew up playing island music. His first instrument was the ukulele. He's a great teacher." (HA)
About Graves' QB ability, Taylor (former QB coach for Cal who opened a year-round program that tutors QBs) said:
"The thing that impresses me the most is how quickly he gets rid of the ball. When you talk about a high-school-level quarterback, the most successful are the ones with quick releases and accuracy. He has the quickest release of any quarterback I've worked with in the high school or college level. He's very accurate. He has a strong arm. He's got all of the throws you need to make." (HA)
HA Note: "The past summer, the Folsom coaches called UH offensive coordinator Ron Lee for information about the Warriors' version of the four-wide offense. Folsom, which also runs a spread offense, has two UH-inspired plays: "Hawai'i" and "Hawai'i Switch." "
About how Graves ran a similar offense to UH in high school, Taylor said:
"Folsom runs a complex passing game. He learned to run the show, and he's very good at it. He's smart and competitive. I think he's a great fit for Hawai'i." (HA)
HA Note: "Folsom often went with an empty set, using five receivers and relying on both Graves' passing and scrambling. In 2008, Graves rushed for 696 yards and 11 touchdowns."
About Graves' running ability, Taylor said:
"He's a great quarterback, but some opponents said he was Folsom's best running back, too." (HA)
HA Note: "Graves indeed has multiple talents. He played quarterback from Pop Warner through his freshman season. To help out the team, he played wide receiver in 2006 and 2007. As a junior, he was named to the All-Metro team."
About how Graves played WR while waiting to be the QB starter, his father David Graves Sr. said:
"He's a quarterback, and he waited for his turn." (HA)
HA Note: "He initially made a verbal commitment to Nevada. But after visiting Hawai'i the weekend before the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, he changed his mind."
About how his son broke his verbal commitment to Nevada to choose UH, David Sr. said:
"It wasn't easy for him. I told him to do what was best for himself." (HA)
HA Note: "David Sr. said his son was impressed with Lee and UH quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich. He said his son liked head coach Greg McMackin's "positive style." Last week, Graves notified the Nevada coaches that he was de-committing."
About choosing UH over Nevada, Graves said:
"Nevada has great coaches and a great program. But I feel there are more opportunities for me in Hawai'i. I see Hawai'i as a better fit for me, probably a better life experience." (HA)
"Hawai'i is getting a great player and a great person." (HA)
HA Note: "The latest University of Hawai'i football commitment was named Sacramento's Metro Football Player of the Year. He was one of the nation's most efficient high school quarterbacks, completing 72 percent of his passes and throwing for 40 touchdowns in 11 games. And he has a cumulative grade-point average of 3.76."
HA Note: "Graves, who is 6 feet 1 and 191 pounds, said he chose the Warriors because of the four-wide offense, the coaching staff and "Hawai'i's music.""
About his love for Jawaiian music and traditional island songs, Graves said:
"I love the music of the islands. I love the bending guitars, and the real soothing voices." (HA)
About how Curtis Gaesser, director of Folsom's award-winning Jazz Band & Choir, was raised in Hawaii, Graves said:
"He grew up playing island music. His first instrument was the ukulele. He's a great teacher." (HA)
About Graves' QB ability, Taylor (former QB coach for Cal who opened a year-round program that tutors QBs) said:
"The thing that impresses me the most is how quickly he gets rid of the ball. When you talk about a high-school-level quarterback, the most successful are the ones with quick releases and accuracy. He has the quickest release of any quarterback I've worked with in the high school or college level. He's very accurate. He has a strong arm. He's got all of the throws you need to make." (HA)
HA Note: "The past summer, the Folsom coaches called UH offensive coordinator Ron Lee for information about the Warriors' version of the four-wide offense. Folsom, which also runs a spread offense, has two UH-inspired plays: "Hawai'i" and "Hawai'i Switch." "
About how Graves ran a similar offense to UH in high school, Taylor said:
"Folsom runs a complex passing game. He learned to run the show, and he's very good at it. He's smart and competitive. I think he's a great fit for Hawai'i." (HA)
HA Note: "Folsom often went with an empty set, using five receivers and relying on both Graves' passing and scrambling. In 2008, Graves rushed for 696 yards and 11 touchdowns."
About Graves' running ability, Taylor said:
"He's a great quarterback, but some opponents said he was Folsom's best running back, too." (HA)
HA Note: "Graves indeed has multiple talents. He played quarterback from Pop Warner through his freshman season. To help out the team, he played wide receiver in 2006 and 2007. As a junior, he was named to the All-Metro team."
About how Graves played WR while waiting to be the QB starter, his father David Graves Sr. said:
"He's a quarterback, and he waited for his turn." (HA)
HA Note: "He initially made a verbal commitment to Nevada. But after visiting Hawai'i the weekend before the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, he changed his mind."
About how his son broke his verbal commitment to Nevada to choose UH, David Sr. said:
"It wasn't easy for him. I told him to do what was best for himself." (HA)
HA Note: "David Sr. said his son was impressed with Lee and UH quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich. He said his son liked head coach Greg McMackin's "positive style." Last week, Graves notified the Nevada coaches that he was de-committing."
About choosing UH over Nevada, Graves said:
"Nevada has great coaches and a great program. But I feel there are more opportunities for me in Hawai'i. I see Hawai'i as a better fit for me, probably a better life experience." (HA)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Na Koa tries to raise more than $1.65 mil for the Warriors
HA Note: "Saying the University of Hawai'i football team is "at an economic crossroads" to remaining competitive in a tough economy, its head coach and booster club are asking fans to help raise more than $1.65 million in aid for the centennial season this fall. "Over 20,000 Warrior football fans and contributors," were asked to pitch in, according to the letter sent out and signed by coach Greg McMackin and Na Koa president Rick Blangiardi. Na Koa has approximately 650 regular members and currently contributes about $650,000 to the operation of the football program, officials said."
About their goal to raise $1.65 mil, the letter said:
"our intention is to create a grass roots campaign that will expand our membership in Na Koa while creating a combined giving to meet the many current and unbudgeted financial needs of our Warrior football program." (HA)
About the need for additional funding, the letter said:
"with continued success (comes) increased demands and expectations for excellence. Historically, our efforts to date have helped provide a fairly solid foundation for the football program. The challenge, however, of remaining competitive in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) has brought us to an economic crossroads at a time when we are experiencing an island economy we have not seen in years." (HA)
HA Note: "Na Koa has helped underwrite the costs of players attending summer school, buying communication head sets, video equipment and other needs for the team, Blangiardi said."
About their goal to raise $1.65 mil, the letter said:
"our intention is to create a grass roots campaign that will expand our membership in Na Koa while creating a combined giving to meet the many current and unbudgeted financial needs of our Warrior football program." (HA)
About the need for additional funding, the letter said:
"with continued success (comes) increased demands and expectations for excellence. Historically, our efforts to date have helped provide a fairly solid foundation for the football program. The challenge, however, of remaining competitive in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) has brought us to an economic crossroads at a time when we are experiencing an island economy we have not seen in years." (HA)
HA Note: "Na Koa has helped underwrite the costs of players attending summer school, buying communication head sets, video equipment and other needs for the team, Blangiardi said."
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Feature story on Dave Aranda
RDF = Redlands Daily Facts
About Dave Aranda's love for football, his father Paul Aranda said:
"He's a football guy 24/7. He just loves it. He's gone to a lot of pro camps and has been all over the place. He's always looking to learn." (RDF)
About how the head coach at Redlands High School influenced his life, Dave Aranda said:
"Coach (Jim) Walker was a big influence on me. You could just see how he motivates people with his one-on-one talks. He was great at taking you off to the side and you could tell he cared about you and that you were important to him." (RDF)
RDF Note: "A 185-pound linebacker, Aranda suffered from shoulder problems that forced him to play offensive line with his arm in a sling. After high school, Aranda attended San Bernardino Valley College for a semester before transferring to California Lutheran University, where he was a student assistant. From there, he went to Texas Tech University and worked for three years as a graduate assistant. Then it was on to the University of Houston. Aranda would return to California Lutheran as defensive coordinator before taking the same job at Delta State in Mississippi, where he led one of the top defenses in Division II in 2007. He then appeared headed to Southern Utah University before he was offered the job of defensive line coach at Hawaii."
Proud of their season at UH, Aranda said:
"It's a great school. We didn't have the best year but with everything we lost and all of the turnover, I'm very proud of what we accomplished." (RDF)
Crediting his success to the teachings from George Tesla (his OL coach) and Miguel Olmedo (Redland's current head coach), Aranda said:
"Coach Tesla was just a real gruff old-timer who was a stickler for fundamentals. He always made me do things right. And I remember the detail he would coach with and how everyone loved him. With Coach Olmedo, I took from him his drive, determination, intensity and stubbornness. I never wanted to let him down and I always wanted to do more." (RDF)
About how he always stops by the talk with his old coaches when he's back in Redlands, Aranda (who is married to his high school sweetheart) said:
"I always try to stop by and meet up with Coach Walker and Coach Olmedo. It's amazing the things they've accomplished with the RHS program and we just catch up and talk football." (RDF)
About Dave Aranda's love for football, his father Paul Aranda said:
"He's a football guy 24/7. He just loves it. He's gone to a lot of pro camps and has been all over the place. He's always looking to learn." (RDF)
About how the head coach at Redlands High School influenced his life, Dave Aranda said:
"Coach (Jim) Walker was a big influence on me. You could just see how he motivates people with his one-on-one talks. He was great at taking you off to the side and you could tell he cared about you and that you were important to him." (RDF)
RDF Note: "A 185-pound linebacker, Aranda suffered from shoulder problems that forced him to play offensive line with his arm in a sling. After high school, Aranda attended San Bernardino Valley College for a semester before transferring to California Lutheran University, where he was a student assistant. From there, he went to Texas Tech University and worked for three years as a graduate assistant. Then it was on to the University of Houston. Aranda would return to California Lutheran as defensive coordinator before taking the same job at Delta State in Mississippi, where he led one of the top defenses in Division II in 2007. He then appeared headed to Southern Utah University before he was offered the job of defensive line coach at Hawaii."
Proud of their season at UH, Aranda said:
"It's a great school. We didn't have the best year but with everything we lost and all of the turnover, I'm very proud of what we accomplished." (RDF)
Crediting his success to the teachings from George Tesla (his OL coach) and Miguel Olmedo (Redland's current head coach), Aranda said:
"Coach Tesla was just a real gruff old-timer who was a stickler for fundamentals. He always made me do things right. And I remember the detail he would coach with and how everyone loved him. With Coach Olmedo, I took from him his drive, determination, intensity and stubbornness. I never wanted to let him down and I always wanted to do more." (RDF)
About how he always stops by the talk with his old coaches when he's back in Redlands, Aranda (who is married to his high school sweetheart) said:
"I always try to stop by and meet up with Coach Walker and Coach Olmedo. It's amazing the things they've accomplished with the RHS program and we just catch up and talk football." (RDF)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Samson talked about facing bigger nose tackles
About playing against nose tackles that can outweigh him by 45+ pounds, Samson said:
''We have to use our quickness and take them places they don't want to be." (MH)
MH Note: "Among Sunday's key matchups: Dolphins left tackle Jake Long against Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs (eight sacks), and 300-pound center Samson Satele on Baltimore's 345-pound Haloti Ngata. Satele has struggled at times against much heavier defensive tackles (including Ngata on Oct. 19), but he played well against New York's 349-pound Kris Jenkins and improved by studying how similar-sized centers take on bigger nose tackles."
''We have to use our quickness and take them places they don't want to be." (MH)
MH Note: "Among Sunday's key matchups: Dolphins left tackle Jake Long against Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs (eight sacks), and 300-pound center Samson Satele on Baltimore's 345-pound Haloti Ngata. Satele has struggled at times against much heavier defensive tackles (including Ngata on Oct. 19), but he played well against New York's 349-pound Kris Jenkins and improved by studying how similar-sized centers take on bigger nose tackles."
Friday, January 2, 2009
Feature story about the life story of Davone Bess
MH = Miami Herald
About how his Mom raised him despite having 2 kids by the time she was 17, Bess said:
"My mom grew up pretty much a single parent. She had me at the age of 15 and she had my brother at 17. My dad pretty much wasn't there. If anyone was there it was my brother's dad, but not really because he was in a big time drug dealer. He was in and out of jail himself and going back and forth so he wasn't a reliable source." (MH)
About how hard it was for his Mom to provide for their family, and how nobody on his Dad's side of the family even went to high school, Bess said:
"There was times my mom was in a room breaking down, crying, going crazy trying to figure out how to pay the bills and stuff. Knowing all the negativity my family had grown up in, there was almost no way out of our situation. This was in Oakland, California. I should tell you I was the first person in my family to go to college. I was the first person on my dad's side of the family that went to high school. That kind of gives you an idea of the type of family I grew up in. And my grandma was really supportive of my mom, but it's crazy because my grandma was actually pregnant at the same time as my mom. I'm the same age as my auntie. So [my grandma] couldn't really take care of me like she really wanted to because she had her own to take care of. so my mom was a kid -- a kid raising two kids." (MH)
About how sports kept him out of trouble, Bess said:
"Sports pretty much kept me busy, kept me out of trouble, kept me off the streets. My mom always stressed, 'We don't need to be going that route like your stepfather,' meaning my brother's dad. And being a kid, everybody got in trouble, doing this and that when your parents told you not to. But I always had sports to lean back on and it always helped me to stay focused and keep me from getting deeper into serious problems." (MH)
About how he ended up in jail, Bess said:
"My stepfather, like I said, was in and out of jail a lot. He was there when he could be. But it's different when you got a male living with you in the house. He didn't stay with us. I graduated high school and one day I went to pick some friends up, but they ended up having some stolen merchandise with them. I picked them up. We get pulled over. And they charged me with everything because I was the driver. They knew I had nothing to do with it. But because of the fact I was an accessory, I did 15 months in a juvenile detention facility. Those guys wanted to testify on my behalf and tell them I had nothing to do with it. I was getting ready to go off to college and do all these positive things, but their attorneys wouldn't allow them to do that because that would make them look bad." (MH)
About how he lost his scholarship to Oregon State, Bess said:
"I was going to Oregon State. I had signed a sports scholarship to go to Oregon State already. I had just graduated high school. It hurt. It hurt big time. So it was time for Plan B for me. I knew I was going to get out. I had all these positive things going for me, but the positive things ended up screwing me because [the judge] felt that I knew better than to put myself in that situation." (MH)
About the facility he was sent to, and how it was fortunate that their flag football team played against a local high school that had a lot of good players, Bess said:
"So I go to the facility. It was as open facility. If I had wanted to walk out the door and leave, I could do it. There was like no gates, no nothing. I could walk out. Obviously, if you walk out, you get in trouble. You might get more time. They had a whole bunch of leagues -- volleyball, softball, flag football -- so I'm doing all these different things. And with the flag football team, we end up going to this local high school to play. And there was this whole bunch of kids being recruited from this school. I guess I started turning heads playing against the kids that were already being recruited." (MH)
About how UH found out about him, Bess said:
"We were playing 7 on 7 and one of June Jones assistants ended up seeing me. This was the summer of '04 and from that summer throughout the fall I was talking to [the University of] Hawaii. I got out in September. And then they brought me out on a trip in October and offered me a scholarship. I accepted, and in January 2005, I enrolled at Hawaii." (MH)
About how he had to overcome the lack of respect UH had and his past trouble in order to make his NFL dream come true, Bess said:
"I got my opportunity back. I still wasn't sold that my dream was definitely going to come true and I was going to the NFL. I knew that by me going into that situation, it was going to be that much harder to make it to the NFL. Being Hawaii, nobody respects Hawaii. And then there was still the trouble issue -- the character issue -- that people were going to wonder about." (MH)
About why he verbally committed to the Dolphins while the draft was still going on, Bess said:
"I didn't get drafted. And it was frustrating. But I didn't give up. I knew whatever team I was going to, I was going to give my all and give my best. I set specific goals for myself when Miami signed me. They called me in the fifth round and I thought that was going to be my round. But they said they didn't have any other picks and had to use their picks on, like, a lineman or a running back or something. So I was, like, OK. Then right after the draft my phone was ringing off the hook. Like 12 teams called me after the draft but I had actually verbally committed to coming to Miami during the seventh round. So I ended up saying, 'I'm just going to go to Miami.' I did know the situation and I felt this was the best spot for me to come in and contribute." (MH)
About how other teams offered bigger signing bonuses, Bess said:
"They gave me a $7,000 signing bonus and my agent said there were a couple of teams willing to give me up around $9,000 or $10,000. But that didn't matter. I knew this was the best opportunity and best fit for me." (MH)
About how he worked his way up the depth chart, Bess said:
"I think my second preseason game, against Jacksonville, they bumped me up and I actually started as the third receiver. And I was like, 'OK,' and got a little more confidence. And then the next game, even more. It was the last preseason when I had my best game, even on special teams. And that let me know the coaches were serious. And Week 1, here it is and I'm the No. 3 receiver and starting in the three wide receiver package. And my confidence grew from there." (MH)
About how he never listened to his doubters, Bess said;
"So never listen to anybody that says you can't do something. Because through all those times, throughout that whole story I just told you, I always had people in my ear or talking behind my back saying I wasn't going to make it. 'He ain't going to do this, he's just going to be another statistic on the streets. He ain't this, he ain't that. I'm happy he went to jail.' I just kept my eyes on the prize. I knew what I wanted to do. I knew what I wanted to accomplish. And I took that motivation and kept it going. So don't let anybody tell you you can't do anything." (MH)
About how his Mom raised him despite having 2 kids by the time she was 17, Bess said:
"My mom grew up pretty much a single parent. She had me at the age of 15 and she had my brother at 17. My dad pretty much wasn't there. If anyone was there it was my brother's dad, but not really because he was in a big time drug dealer. He was in and out of jail himself and going back and forth so he wasn't a reliable source." (MH)
About how hard it was for his Mom to provide for their family, and how nobody on his Dad's side of the family even went to high school, Bess said:
"There was times my mom was in a room breaking down, crying, going crazy trying to figure out how to pay the bills and stuff. Knowing all the negativity my family had grown up in, there was almost no way out of our situation. This was in Oakland, California. I should tell you I was the first person in my family to go to college. I was the first person on my dad's side of the family that went to high school. That kind of gives you an idea of the type of family I grew up in. And my grandma was really supportive of my mom, but it's crazy because my grandma was actually pregnant at the same time as my mom. I'm the same age as my auntie. So [my grandma] couldn't really take care of me like she really wanted to because she had her own to take care of. so my mom was a kid -- a kid raising two kids." (MH)
About how sports kept him out of trouble, Bess said:
"Sports pretty much kept me busy, kept me out of trouble, kept me off the streets. My mom always stressed, 'We don't need to be going that route like your stepfather,' meaning my brother's dad. And being a kid, everybody got in trouble, doing this and that when your parents told you not to. But I always had sports to lean back on and it always helped me to stay focused and keep me from getting deeper into serious problems." (MH)
About how he ended up in jail, Bess said:
"My stepfather, like I said, was in and out of jail a lot. He was there when he could be. But it's different when you got a male living with you in the house. He didn't stay with us. I graduated high school and one day I went to pick some friends up, but they ended up having some stolen merchandise with them. I picked them up. We get pulled over. And they charged me with everything because I was the driver. They knew I had nothing to do with it. But because of the fact I was an accessory, I did 15 months in a juvenile detention facility. Those guys wanted to testify on my behalf and tell them I had nothing to do with it. I was getting ready to go off to college and do all these positive things, but their attorneys wouldn't allow them to do that because that would make them look bad." (MH)
About how he lost his scholarship to Oregon State, Bess said:
"I was going to Oregon State. I had signed a sports scholarship to go to Oregon State already. I had just graduated high school. It hurt. It hurt big time. So it was time for Plan B for me. I knew I was going to get out. I had all these positive things going for me, but the positive things ended up screwing me because [the judge] felt that I knew better than to put myself in that situation." (MH)
About the facility he was sent to, and how it was fortunate that their flag football team played against a local high school that had a lot of good players, Bess said:
"So I go to the facility. It was as open facility. If I had wanted to walk out the door and leave, I could do it. There was like no gates, no nothing. I could walk out. Obviously, if you walk out, you get in trouble. You might get more time. They had a whole bunch of leagues -- volleyball, softball, flag football -- so I'm doing all these different things. And with the flag football team, we end up going to this local high school to play. And there was this whole bunch of kids being recruited from this school. I guess I started turning heads playing against the kids that were already being recruited." (MH)
About how UH found out about him, Bess said:
"We were playing 7 on 7 and one of June Jones assistants ended up seeing me. This was the summer of '04 and from that summer throughout the fall I was talking to [the University of] Hawaii. I got out in September. And then they brought me out on a trip in October and offered me a scholarship. I accepted, and in January 2005, I enrolled at Hawaii." (MH)
About how he had to overcome the lack of respect UH had and his past trouble in order to make his NFL dream come true, Bess said:
"I got my opportunity back. I still wasn't sold that my dream was definitely going to come true and I was going to the NFL. I knew that by me going into that situation, it was going to be that much harder to make it to the NFL. Being Hawaii, nobody respects Hawaii. And then there was still the trouble issue -- the character issue -- that people were going to wonder about." (MH)
About why he verbally committed to the Dolphins while the draft was still going on, Bess said:
"I didn't get drafted. And it was frustrating. But I didn't give up. I knew whatever team I was going to, I was going to give my all and give my best. I set specific goals for myself when Miami signed me. They called me in the fifth round and I thought that was going to be my round. But they said they didn't have any other picks and had to use their picks on, like, a lineman or a running back or something. So I was, like, OK. Then right after the draft my phone was ringing off the hook. Like 12 teams called me after the draft but I had actually verbally committed to coming to Miami during the seventh round. So I ended up saying, 'I'm just going to go to Miami.' I did know the situation and I felt this was the best spot for me to come in and contribute." (MH)
About how other teams offered bigger signing bonuses, Bess said:
"They gave me a $7,000 signing bonus and my agent said there were a couple of teams willing to give me up around $9,000 or $10,000. But that didn't matter. I knew this was the best opportunity and best fit for me." (MH)
About how he worked his way up the depth chart, Bess said:
"I think my second preseason game, against Jacksonville, they bumped me up and I actually started as the third receiver. And I was like, 'OK,' and got a little more confidence. And then the next game, even more. It was the last preseason when I had my best game, even on special teams. And that let me know the coaches were serious. And Week 1, here it is and I'm the No. 3 receiver and starting in the three wide receiver package. And my confidence grew from there." (MH)
About how he never listened to his doubters, Bess said;
"So never listen to anybody that says you can't do something. Because through all those times, throughout that whole story I just told you, I always had people in my ear or talking behind my back saying I wasn't going to make it. 'He ain't going to do this, he's just going to be another statistic on the streets. He ain't this, he ain't that. I'm happy he went to jail.' I just kept my eyes on the prize. I knew what I wanted to do. I knew what I wanted to accomplish. And I took that motivation and kept it going. So don't let anybody tell you you can't do anything." (MH)
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