Warrior Beat: KK Padello earns Hawaii football scholarship

Army Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton presented a UH football scholarship to Keli“i "KK" Padello following today's practice. / Photo by Stephen Tsai

In an emotional post-practice ceremony today, Army Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton awarded a UH football scholarship to running back Keli‘i “KK” Padello.

“I thought (Fenton) was here just to visit, to just see the team,” Padello said.

Padello is an ROTC cadet and a specialist in the Army National Guard. Head coach Nick Rolovich felt it would be fitting for Fenton to deliver the good news.

“I was honored to be here,” Fenton said. “Coach asked me to come by and talk about a guy who is a true servant leader, who represents what our military does. It was an honor.”


In addressing the team, Fenton said: “There are two important days of your life: the day you’re born and the day you figure out what you were born to do. (Padello) has figured he was born to serve the state of Hawaii as a National Guard member and football player for the Warriors. He also figured a way to serve his fellow man. I’m really proud of him, and I was just proud to be here.”

As a Mililani High senior, Padello was named the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s defensive player of the year after amassing 26 sacks in 12 games in 2013. He played a season at Southern Oregon, where he met ROTC members. In deciding to pursue a military career, Padello said he wanted to “serve and protect, especially those who can’t protect themselves.”

COMMENTS

  1. hilorain August 12, 2019 12:42 pm

    First?

    Congratulations KK!!


  2. Stephen Tsai August 12, 2019 1:04 pm

    It was a nice surprise.
    KK is inspiring.


  3. Danny Padello August 12, 2019 1:48 pm

    Proud of KK! Well deserve with hard work and perseverance. True leader in action.


  4. hilosupaman August 12, 2019 2:22 pm

    Cheee! Go for Broke!


  5. iGrokSpock August 12, 2019 2:24 pm

    Kudos to three star general Fenton for honoring KK. When was he converted to running back?


  6. Da Punchbowl Kid August 12, 2019 3:16 pm

    Simply wonderful!


  7. wafan August 12, 2019 4:45 pm

    Thank you to both Warriors for your service, KK and Lt. Gen. Fenton!


  8. Stephen Tsai August 12, 2019 5:32 pm

    Why does the name Danny Padello sound so familiar?
    Cougar?


  9. burro sabio August 12, 2019 5:41 pm

    Mr. Tsai, Maryknoll basketball in the 80’s?


  10. Stephen Tsai August 12, 2019 5:54 pm

    Burro Sabio
    Ah, that makes sense. I used to cover ILH basketball in the 1980s. Nothing like a Saturday quadrupleheader at the Blaisdell. Best part was watching Duke Aiona go after the refs.


  11. islandman August 12, 2019 6:52 pm

    Another Villa, this one 6-3, someone said may be playing for Kahuku basketball.
    (There was also a video showing him playing for Kahuku in 2017)
    https://youtu.be/AfVDDUY9vos


  12. islandman August 13, 2019 2:53 pm

    This writer says UH can be dangerous but …
    Boise State 2019 Opponent Preview: Hawaii Warriors:
    ” Here’s the conundrum for the now redshirt junior McDonald; According to Jeff Sagarin’s ratings, Hawaii’s eight wins came against teams with an average ranking of 130 (out of 255 FBS and FCS schools).
    In the six losses, the average opponent ranking was 57.
    McDonald has yet to beat a good team. …
    ————————————————————————————————
    Defense:
    ” The Warriors’ problem one year ago wasn’t up front, however. Their pass defense gave up 235 yards through the air per game, with an average of 13.6 yards per catch, and only recorded five interceptions.
    While some big plays were made, even more were given up, especially against upper-tier opponents. ”
    ————————————————————————————————
    https://247sports.com/college/hawaii/Article/Boise-State-2019-Opponent-Preview-Hawaii-Warriors-134415386/


  13. Kawika August 13, 2019 3:30 pm

    Well, if UH can’t win the MWC and a National Championship, they should drop the football program. Focus on sailing and golf, instead. Hawaii fans demand excellence and won’t tolerate mediocrity!

    Seriously, many of the naysayers were so certain that UH would be 0-3 at the start of 2018. Beat SDSU at their house, which hadn’t happened in recent memory.

    Could care less about former UH players who bailed out! I only care about the players here representing the School and State!


  14. Captain Ron August 13, 2019 3:44 pm

    I don’t recall seeing any information on where they will hold the Coach’s Luncheon when the season starts. Has anyone heard? There should be one next Monday, 8/19, right?


  15. cappie the dog August 13, 2019 4:32 pm

    islandman: Yep. I jumped the gun. Now I can write it: Congratulations, Joshua Rojas. What about Kean Wong? His batting average is well-over .300. Hawaii recruit Jake Bauers was hovering just above the Mendoza Line last season and stuck with Tampa, although this year, he is tearing it up, albeit with another team. I guess I contradicted myself. Bauers needed at-bats. If I was Wong, I would demand to be traded if he doesn’t get his shot. Austin Rubrick is out of baseball. 20th round.


  16. ai-eee-soos August 13, 2019 5:42 pm

    “Call the Coach” at 6 pm.

    I hope boobsie doesn’t HOG the mike, and lets the Coach talk.


  17. Stephen Tsai August 13, 2019 9:03 pm

    New post: https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=50605


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