Update: Ben Yee
The Warrior Beat’s off-season series continues with an update on Ben Yee:
At 84, Ben Yee appears to be the same.
He still has the flat-top cut — thanks to Mike the Barber, a retired banker who cuts hair in Kaimuki.
He still often has a toothpick in his mouth, a habit that started as a bonding activity among several UH defensive backs in the 1970s. A DB once played a game with a toothpick in his mouth.
And he’s still feisty, questioning UH’s bureaucracy and the insistence on using search committees to hire administrators and coaches. “That model doesn’t work,” Yee said. “It hasn’t worked in 50 years. And they’re still doing it.”
For 45 years, Yee was involved with UH football as a volunteer. He held yard sticks during scrimmages, took ground-level film of workouts, delivered water, picked up trash, planned banquets, solicited donations and helped start the football booster club. But a few years ago, there was a restructuring, with the booster club shifting under more of Koa Anuenue’s umbrella.
“I didn’t leave Na Koa,” Yee insisted. “Na Koa was taken away from me. When they insisted on going under the so-called umbrella, which I never did agree with — I still don’t agree with it because it doesn’t work — I had no choice.”
Another reason?
“To put it mildly, when I was really active, my blood pressure was in the 90s,” Yee said. “It was 138 over 90s. Right now, I’m 128 over 68, 70. I think that tells you why.”
Yee no longer attends games, but he remains supportive of the Warriors. “I always wish them well,” he said.
He remains active. He still hunts here, on the mainland and in Canada. He walks at least an hour a day, around Kapiolani Park and up Diamond Head.
“You have to stay active,” said Yee, who still weighs 170 pounds on a 6-foot frame. “Your body has to be moving. Your mind has to be going. You can’t get stale.”
1 ? Ben was a familiar figure on the sidelines. I thought i saw him there recently ?
I had breakfast with Ben about 5 years ago; he is a great man–we need more people like Ben to support UH Football; or at least a fraction of what he has done.
Who pushed Ben away? Was it Coach Mack, Donovan, or Kobayashi?
Good morning everyone!
During the years I saw Ben Yee on the sidelines at games, I thought he was the team doctor. Maybe that impression was right in a way–he was a “doctor” for the UH football team.
…remembering friends and loved ones that have passed.
Have a great Memorial Day everyone.
GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!
Glad to hear about Ben Yee. I think I first met Ben during the Larry Price era. Had a toothpick even way back then.
Can’t get too close to Ben or your eyeball might become an hors d’oeuvre.
ST: re Ben Yee -Can you, or anyone, give an account of his military service?
There “might be a story” – he served during the Korean War era, I believe.
I SWEAR HE GAVE A 6’9″DT BY THE NAME OF JOHN OR PAUL HOFFMAN A PENECILLIN SHOT FOR HIS COLD/FLU RIGHT ON THE PRACTICE FIELD ONE AFTERNOON IN THE LATE 60’s; THAT WAS WHEN I USED TO WATCH PRACTICE EVERY DAY…THE ONLY SPECTATOR AT THE TIME. I REMEMBER THAT HOFFMAN SAID HE DIDN’T WANT IT BECAUSE AS HE PUT IT, “IT FUX ME UP”. I THINK DAVE HOLMES WAS THE COACH AT THE TIME.
#7 Remade In Hawaii
If you look at what he post on the facebook page he credits all his sources, he collects stories about UH Football (and other sports sometimes) but does give credit to the source. Not everyone is a visitor to this blog, some people come here just once in awhile but frequent their facebook page daily. Nothing wrong with spreading the news about UH sports!!!
I also agree with Mr. Yee, ” because it doesn’t work”. Whether people believe it or not AKA wants to take over all booster clubs and do away with the individual ones.
pomai u get my e mail n the stuff i sent via whitey ?
What happened to Scott Harding?
Any pro teams pick him up?
Guud Evening Tsaikos…bootiful day.
Gratifying to see a lot of families came to visit their family members interred at the cemetery my friends have been up keeping for over 15 years. An amazing commitment to our community by a handful of volunteers.
Mahalo Mike, Jere, Tony, Chris your work is greatly appreciated.
We’ll probably not see another guy like Ben Yee at the UH for a long time. Solutions are there right in front of your nose and sometimes we can’t see it. Sad that the administration no more Aloha for people like Ben.
Coinciding with Kolten Wong’s move to the leadoff spot, Breland Almadova is doing so likewise for the Diamondbacks’ Single A-affiliate Visalia. Next season, we could be looking at, potentially, four ex-University of Hawaii products in Major League Baseball.
Greg Garcia just crossed the .300 line today, after a very slow start.
If I had money, I would buy a Double A franchise and move it to Hawaii.
Would you support it?
aloha everyone !! nice story again ST !! i alway use to wounder who was that guy on the UH sidelines some times worming up with the qbs . maybe coach chow should have walk the UH sidelines again !! might be a good luck charm !! and chow can use all the luck he can get !!
#16 Hitman,
Chow was the reason we don’t see Ben on the sidelines any more. Chow didn’t care what Ben did for the football program.
so sad 17 any time you can get free help and for someone that give so much of there time and love what there doing that priceless !! never seen someone turn over so much stones as this coach !! funny u would never think of a coach with local tie doing that !! alway remember seeing him and other old man with a UH football jersey on onside lines watch the game !! and also had that boi run out and get the tee after kick off !! that was the good olds day s
Almost thought this was about Ben Jay.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.
I wonder who makes the football schedule? AD, coach or the idiot under the desk? Ferd had a good column today. We put our kids health out there so we can make some money? Where’s the NCAA? Where’s the players union? Haven’t read much about the union they wanted to get started after they got a bunch of money.
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