Warrior Beat

Expanded coverage of UH football, including practice notes, game analysis, recruiting info and observations on the Mountain West Conference.

About the blog host

Stephen Tsai covers University of Hawaii football for the Star-Advertiser. Follow him on Twitter @StephenTsai and sign up for the Hawaii football newsletter here: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/email-signup/

Latest news

Kalua Noa says he is joining UH; Hirono on charter

By Stephen Tsai on June 6, 2008

“Yes, I’m 100 percent sure I’m joining the Warriors,” Kalua Noa said today. Noa, who was a standout receiver at Kaiser High, will gray shirt, meaning he will join the Warriors in January 2009. He is 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds. At the Maui Camp, he ran 40 yards in 4.45 seconds. Noa was headed to Portland State before receiving a scholarship offer from UH. “It’s a better (situation) for my family,” Noa said. “It’s good to gray shirt […]

Doris Sullivan: Kalua Noa to join UH in ’09

By Stephen Tsai on June 5, 2008

 From Doris Sullivan: UH has offered Kalua Noa a greyshirt/full scholarship offer for Jan 2009. Kalua has been speaking to UH for a while but with no scholie he had decided to go the JC route. When Portland State came into the picture just yesterday coaches discussed it and didnt want to lose him, and the offer to Kalua came this afternoon. His response was “yes, yes, I want it, yes, Ill take it” Parents are very excited as well. […]

Heather McMackin's camp set

By Stephen Tsai on June 4, 2008

The Hawai‘i Wahine Football Clinic, conducted by Heather McMackin, is set for 7 p.m., Aug. 21 at the athletic complex’s Lecture Hall. According to a news release, the clinic “is open to women interested in learning the basic offensive and defensive tactics of football. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet the the UH coaching staff.” The cost is $10, which includes refreshments, snacks and a football manual. Those interested in attending may call the football office at (808) […]

Irene Wilton, 90

By Stephen Tsai on June 3, 2008

Irene Wilton, the mother of volleyball coach Mike Wilton, died today from injuries suffered when she was struck by a car in Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Independent reported. At age 90, Mrs. Wilton was a feisty woman who had hiked regularly. Here’s the article: Irene Wilton, the 90-year old pedestrian struck by a car while crossing the intersection of Foothill and Cieneguitas roads on May 29, died this afternoon at Cottage Hospital as a result of her injuries. Though […]

(Big) body language

By Stephen Tsai on June 2, 2008

Linebacker Adam Leonard, who just returned from an NCAA leadership conference in Orlando, and quarterback Tyler Graunke make big body at today’s unsupervised workouts: * * * Here’s quarterback Shane Austin participating in passing drills despite having his right foot in a medical boot. (He suffered a fracture in his right foot on the final play of the Warrior Bowl): * * * Craig Bell, a junior-college transfer, prepares to run a pass route: * * * Bell and wideout […]

Austin power

By Stephen Tsai on June 1, 2008

On Monday, the cast was removed from quarterback Shane Austin’s right foot. He had suffered a fracture on the final play of the Warrior Bowl. Well, Austin still wears a a protective boot. But that does not prevent him from throwing during unsupervised workouts.

Steele shows mettle

By Stephen Tsai on May 31, 2008

Quarterback Steele Jantz participated in his first offseason passing drills yesterday afternoon, impressing UH teammates with his arm strength. Jantz, who is 6 feet 3 and 208 pounds, is a graduate of Nevada Union High in California. He missed all but three games of the 2007 season after suffering a broken leg. Before attending Nevada Union, he was a student at Crespi High. Jantz * * * I told Jett Jasper that he had a fan on the blog. He […]

Quick answer

By Stephen Tsai on May 30, 2008

Former UH kicker Eric Hannum visited the news building last week, and he asked what many have asked: Why are there so many items about the Hawai‘i Speed and Quickness clinic? The answer has little to do with the suspicions of conspiracy-minded folks. My extended family, like many, has had members with a history of substance abuse. In addition to its weekend clinics, Hawai‘i Speed and Quickness runs after-school programs that include anti-drug messages as part of the curriculum. Coupled […]