Warrior Beat

The Warriors are preparing for the home stretch in recruiting with about 15 visits planned for this coming weekend. The guest list reportedly includes Shane Brostek of Hawaii Prep, Psalm Wooching of Kealakehe, Steven Lakalaka of Punahou, and Keoni Bush-Loo of Kamehameha. Feb. 1 is the first day recruits may sign binding national letters of intent. Give credit to the Warriors. They’re not afraid to ask. * * * * * Yes, that is quarterback Justin Alo on the Manoa […]

Sorry for the delay, but, yes, Ethan Watanabe of Brennan High (San Antonio) has accepted a football scholarship from the Warriors, according to his father Chad Watanabe. Ethan Watanabe is 6 feet 3 and 255 pounds. He will compete at tight end for the Warriors. Ethan Watanabe’s father was raised on the Leeward Coast. “Nanakali Hawks!” said Chad Watanabe, a 1983 graduate who played football and basketball. Two of Ethan Watanabe’s uncles played for Norm Chow at BYU in the […]

Last night, the good folks of the blog gathered to celebrate the life and loves (sports, food, karaoke) of “Las Vegas” — John Collins. He left us fun memories and, indeed, songs in our hearts. Collins lived the last several years in Las Vegas, hence the creation of one of his three blog names, but Hawaii was always his preferred residence. Welcome home. * * * * * It’s not a party until UHFan808 sings “Funky Cold Medina.” * * […]

It was in December 1999, shortly after making a verbal commitment to play for UH, that Nick Rolovich learned the Warriors had secured a pledge from quarterback Jared Flint. There was a window for Rolovich to change his mind. Instead, he welcomed the challenge to compete for the starter’s job. Rolovich started the first two games of the 2000 season, but admittedly struggled. After ceding the job to true freshman Tim Chang, Rolovich refused to pout. He kept working and, […]

Nothing is official. Yet. No contracts have been signed. Yet. But Nick Rolovich is poised to become UMass’ next offensive coordinator. He currently is in New England. * * * * * The Warriors continue to refuse to take “no” for an answer. The Warriors sent four coaches to the Big Island yesterday in an all-in pitch to convince top prospects to choose Manoa as their college campus. The odds are slender. One prospect has offers from five Pac-12 schools. […]

Quarterback John Ursua called the WB today to say he  made a verbal commitment to accept a football scholarship from the Warriors. Ursua, who is originally from the Big Island, played as a sophomore and junior at Westlake High in Utah. This past season, he was at Cedar High. Cedar head coach Todd Peacock praised Ursua as the best high school athlete he’s seen in 25 years of coaching. Ursua said he wanted to be part of Chow’s first UH […]

Norm Chow completed his coaching staff with the announced hiring of Chris Demarest as special teams coordinator and defensive assistant. Demarest coached East Stroudsburg’s defensive backs the past season. He also has coached at Florida State, Rutgers and North Carolina State, where he worked with Chow. * * * * * Chow has decided to retain Inoke Funaki as a graduate assistant. Funaki, a former UH quarterback, has served as a GA the past two seasons. During the transition period […]

Apparently, one way to slow down Clark Evans is the holiday airline schedule. After committing to UH yesterday morning, Evans completed his Hawaii recruiting trip and returned to his home in Orange, Calif., last night. Evans then re-packed his belongings, had a few hours of sleep, and was back at the airport this morning for what was supposed to be a 9 a.m. (Pacific time) departure back to Hawaii. The flight was delayed by five hours. He is expected to […]