Iosefa faces suspension after DUI arrest
Running back Joey Iosefa faces suspension from team activities following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving yesterday morning.
A decision on disciplinary action will be announced tomorrow morning after coach Norm Chow and athletic director Ben Jay meet. Chow is in Los Angeles with his wife, who is hospitalized while recovering from a brain aneurysm. Chow returns to Honolulu this morning.
Based on precedent, Iosefa’s punishment will depend on how he plans to plead at his court appearance on Nov. 11.
In 2012, punter Alex Dunnachie and defensive end Alema Tachibana were arrested on DUI accusations. Unlike Iosefa’s situation, Dunnachie and Tachibana were arrested in July and June, respectively, when the Warriors were in off-season training. Both were suspended from team activities until their initial court appearances, although they were allowed to remain on scholarship and attend summer-session classes.
Dunnachie pleaded guilty at his court appearance, and was suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season. Tachibana entered a not-guilty plea. He was held out of UH games until late November, when his case was dismissed.
Being arrested is a violation of team rules. In Tachibana’s case, he suffered a longer punishment by being found not guilty than if he had accepted a guilty plea. Then again, Tachibana has a clean abstract.
Legal strategy and moral correctness is not always identical. What will the process unfurl?
if it’s not one thing, its another. our other backs will have to step like they did in the last game. hopefully lakalaka isn’t going to be out for too long.
The police officer was either a BYU fan or angry that UH covered against Wyo
Iosefa should accept a suspension & hope for the best…as for the running back situation, it’s next man up!
seems to me just sort of ‘judgement day’ by a whole bunch of people on here…n taken for granted he was ‘drunk’…
as ST pointed out above..to what look like a very similar cases.. both with different outcomes…
i am sure the arresting officers had ‘probable cause’ to arrest him… but me was not there so not know.. n many times on how much u ‘sass’ the officers back…does count in their behavior towards a person…
i have seen sum very heavy drinkers…who can tolerate beer…in what seems like all nite long.. n get up n just walk or drive away…better then I can on ‘one bottle’… n I am sure many on here can attest to that…knowing sumone who can… not condoning what he is ‘accused’ of doing…
let’s wait for word from joey first before we ‘jump the gun’ n start to condemn his actions…if he admits.. then let the punishment fit the ‘crime’.. as in the past…
IN ACTUALITY..IT HIS TEAMS FAULT…NOT HIS…. ‘THEY WON’ N HE WENT GO CELEBRATE TO MUCH…HE HE HE..lets stop this nonsense of winning…it can be addictive u know…
Joey shouln’t fight charge. Use Cayman Shutter as an example. Plead not guilty. How did that end up? Accept punishment and responsibility. Public, administration and I think staff and team would be forgiving.
A friend of mine was arrested for drunk driving.
Her license was suspended for 3 months.
She went to trial, but the cop who arrested her was in Afghanistan, so the case was dismissed with prejudice, which means she can be brought to trial again.
Also, her insurance premium skyrocketed and is triple mine.
DUI is an awful offense, no matter who you are.
It’s hard not to be very disappointed when a senior co captain and top player like Joey finds himself in such a situation. He has let his team down. But one way or another we have all found ourselves in situations where we have made bonehead mistakes. One hopes Joey finds a way to recover from this, makes amends to his team mates and finds the field again this year.
Morning Tsaikos!
Healing prayers for the injured Warriors.
Prayers for Joey – stay strong.
Just watched Inside Access. Great to see how the team loves NC.
Also, great to see NC’s passion in his halftime speech. It fired me up.
Warriors, go get’um at SD State!
Good morning everyone!
Disappointing news about Joey Iosefa. Wish him the best.
But it looks like he is out the rest of the season based on timing and precedence.
The topic today should be about the win on Saturday; about the players who played a great game and about t he upcoming game against San Diego State.
Good Morning Tsaikos!!!
Hope all have a great day…Good win this weekend….Great that the team never gave up although it seemed like they were demoralized in the first 5 minutes of the game. Good to see some of the players going along the bench supporting and stressing to keep up the fight.
Sad to hear about Joey…but life lesson learned. Glad no one was hurt.
Players have to just step it up…..GO WARRIORS!!!
There are several options at running back.
I think Justin Vele might get more reps.
#7 — WITHOUT prejudice (not with prejudice) Without prejudice means she can be brought back to trial.
sorry for the mistake.
Joey knows he let a lot of people down. Mea culpa and move on.
Chow is going to have to dig deep into his bag of tricks to come up with a workable game plan especially with a short practice week. He has no safety net at QB or RB with backups who have not taken a game snap or probably reps with the 1st team. Bad part is SDSU knows this.
Based on the calender and the schedule I think Iosefa’s career at Hawaii is probably over. Too bad. Running by committee, St. Juste, Vele, Joas, Muraoka, Ewaliko, Lewis. And other volunteers? Lakalaka probably out at least 2 weeks if not 3.
Joey may not realize that this is great time for reflection and opportunity. So, while taking an accounting of his own actions and the situation is critical,but just as important, is his moving on and pursuing all the things that are still achievable.
Holomua Bruddha!
Say it ain’t so, Joe!
I think Mr. Iosefa should split the difference, and plead Nolo Contendere; then allow his counsel to admit any extenuating and/or mitigating circumstances to the Judge.
If Nick Bawden starts, Hawaii wins 23-13
If Quinn Kaehler starts, SDSU wins 24-16
Come on Bawden…
Maybe they could give Rogers a look at running back? Donovan?
Vele has been one of the most consistent players on offense. He makes plays. I was happy when they chose to go back to two backs. It works. It worked against NI. I look foward to him carrying the coconut.
Mr. Tsai, any word if Daniel Lewis is getting another look at RB?
Always amazes me how hard the UH boys train. Sucking ’em up on Saturday night during the season. No wonder they lose so many games. Schutter, Tachibana, Dunnachie, Iosefa, anybody else see a pattern here? Embarrass the program you gone – that should be what Norm tells these guys. Obviously they don’t listen to a word he says. Bye Joey you blew it son.
If UH pulls off a win @SDSU, it will be interesting to see the attendance @ the Nevada game. I would hope if that happens that there would be a much more filled stadium.
A couple of legal notes on Joey’s case: two important factors will be whether he blew and was there a justifiable probable cause for the stop.
A close classmate mine from law school says anecdotally he gets about 2/3 of his DUI cases dismissed when the client refused a breathalyzer. The primary reason, that unless you were totally incoherent or stumbling, it places the DA with a dearth of evidence to prove the state’s case.
Second, mere weaving within your lane or other minor infractions, frequently do not rise to a sufficient level of probable cause for a stop.
So–it just depends…
23 Vele?? he hasn’t done that much… Fumbled once on exchange this past weekend
Two other key MWC games this weekend:
Fresno State @ Boise State
San Jose State @ Wyoming
If UH is able to beat SDSU, and Boise State, Wyoming win, then all the teams in the west division (except for UH) will already have two losses in conference.
good observation andrew.. how was your parking pass… very far or very near ?
I guess that ends any need for Iosefa injury/return to action updates.
Any updates on Lakalaka or Clarke injuries?
30.
It was great, to the right side outside of section HH. There were a lot of empty stalls. I sat at my normal ticketed seats though since couple friends wanted to come and I gave the tickets to them.
ST: Any word if Ewaliko will get reps at RB besides running the sweep?
What about Samson Anguay? I see the dude on the sideline and he is on the active roster. UH should give him a look since he is someone that has speed and quickness and could help. Little on the light side so UH is going to have to call running plays to the outside and not send him into the gut of the defense.
Howzit, Gang!
Frustrated to hear of Iosefa’s DUI. Then again, gotta let the process play itself out. Fat lady neva sing yet. Even as a co-captain, I’m sure he’s disappointed in himself more than any of us can imagine, and learned his lesson from it. None of us have ever had a second chance in life?
Then again, need more folks to step up when the bright lights come on. Hoping our backup QB’s and RB’s are ready. (In fact, every position that’s hurting… need folks to step in and step up.) Need a good week of practice for this upcoming game.
Aiyah, makes you wonder if this the first time Joey drank and drove or he just rolling the dice.
Like most here posted, wait and see how things play out.
adieu, adieu kind friends adieu,
I can no longer stay with you,
I’ll hang my heart on a whipping willow tree,
And say my last farewell to you, to you!
Waikapu, with all due respect, but drinking, college and young men has not changed in the last 50 years. Nor is it reflective of a winning team or a losing one.
I played on squads that we’re all-time, and believe you me, “suckin dem up”, after games, and sometimes even during the week was the norm, not the exception. There is no correlation between not drinking and drinking–otherwise BYU would be playing every year for a national championship.
All former UH Athletes
We will have a hosted continental breakfast this Saturday prior to the UH vs. SDSU game. The breakfast will be at Cafe Zucchero in San Diego’s Little Italy and run from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
The restaurant is located immediately under the Little Italy banner on India Street.
Sponsorship of this breakfast will be provided by The Troy Group and Isla Pacifica Expeditions.
Any and all Tsaikos are welcome to join us on a non-hosted basis. Zucchero features all of the popular coffee drinks and a wide assortment of Sicilian pastries that are made fresh, on site, every morning.
There will also be a Farmer’s Market held in Little Italy that spans 6 blocks that morning. I have been to this farmers market several times and it is a most interesting combination of local fruits, vegetables, sea food (fresh uni comes to mind), honey, and crafts.
i certainly understand and have no big issue with young men or women taking time off and drinking. I can get the driving part though. Just get a ride. How hard is that?
I **can’t** get the driving part though
I agree with #38 that drinking has been going on for a long time. How can people be so naive to think that this problem is due to the coaches. A lot of these young men have been drinking since high school irregardless of being LDS or any religion. The bottom line as it is with all of us if you make a mistake than you pick yourself off the ground and learn from your mistake, move forward and be a better person.
I don’t know what #25 has been drinking but there is no pattern whether we win or lose. You wouldn’t survive the training these young men adhere to.
if joey iosefa was smart, he would plead not guilty and get a lawyer. Never mind being suspended by the team, a DUI on your record and revocation of license for 1 year is no joke.
Move Daniel Lewis to RB for the rest of the season! DB is now probably our deepest position. He is needed at RB badly and I think would be a better career move for him anyways. He is a little small for safety.
Drinking as a former athlete is NO surprise to any one on this blog that think other wise. Had a LOT of my guys during my time that party and drink while enjoying the night life in Hawaii. Heck your young, athletic and truly in the prime of your life being recognized all over Hawaii as a bow as with it does come a lot of responsibility.
No car but bike with a lowenbrau in hand celebrating a victory or better yet local friends picking me up while they drive taking me to some GREAT house parties with some gorgeous wahines who look forward being in your company as it all comes with the territory playing for Hawaii being the ONLY game in town. Feel bad for Joey his SENIOR year being injured again at the beginning of the season with high expectations personally and one of the true leaders on this team. Once upon a time Honolulu police will let you go IF you gave them an autograph now 38 years later with social media and deaths coming from drinking and driving there is no way dismissing the KNOWN facts TODAY too never drive under the influence.
Hope the young man can come from this and learn EARLY in his life the consequences of drinking and driving. Football here in Hawaii may be over but he still has his free education and possible graduation with a degree. Will be leading a parade up the 405 South Freeway to the San Diego game this Saturday. Convoy from my home in LaTijera alcohol free until game time. Will be attending Dr. Don breakfast brunch with many former UH athletes enjoying the fellowship before the BIG game !
Need to play well and TOUGH as San Diego is no walk in the park.
Let’s go bows beat those Aztecs !
42…true.
Drinking (and driving) may be the same from 30 years ago but I think DUI enforcement is very different by today’s standards. There’s zero tolerance. If I was driving like I did in my youth after coming back from a party, I think the chances of me getting busted for DUI would exponentially increase.
Congratulations to the boys! Great game. Well played. A dubya is a dubya.
Heal up to those nursing injuries.
Gotta be feeling good going into the next game.
Hopefully Iosefa will heal up and be available for the road trip starting 11/8/2014 at Colorado State. Drinking ruined Colt’s career. Wise up kids.
Joey is a good young man. He made the kind of mistake that many young men have made. He is embarrassed and feels terrible. He will apologize to the team, family, and the court, and he will hopefully learn a lot from this mistake, and then go on to be a good member of our community.
I wish him well during this difficult time in his life. He will be fine.
Our support and prayers are with Joey. Wrong place, wrong timing, bad decisions. We make’m sometimes, every now an then, we live and learn.
#28 Jeezy33,
The fumble came from the QB, Ikaika. My son wasn’t supposed to get the ball unless the QB signaled for him to get it. It was supposed to be a play action or counter of some sort. If you noticed practice that week leading up to the game, Taylor Graham took the 1st team reps the entire week, Ikaika the 2nd. So there was a slight miss-communication there. Thank goodness it didn’t affect our comeback in the end to win the game. Your right though, my son hasn’t done much running the ball yet with his 1st opportunities to do so in the game. I’m hoping he gets more opportunities and proves he can get the job done. Every family, friend, Father, and Mother would want that for there kid. That’s all we as a family can do is hope for the best in our kids. Take advantage of the opportunities that come. We all know that many times these opportunities come once in a life time. Need to make the best of them. Now or never or like I always tell my players, “If you can’t do your job, someone else will”. Continue to be blessed and stay blessed folks. Everything happens for a reason, lets hope the outcome is always positive.
Aloha! Go Bows!
This year’s team and last year’s team has a “no quit” attitude. They play hard until the end. Great to see them fight through adversity and be on the winning side of the equation. I hope they can make a run in the MWC. Go Warriors!
JV SR. Thank you for a parent’s perspective. It serves to remind people that the team is not only made up of the coaches, players and support staff. The families and friends of these people are also part of the Ohana called the Rainbow Warriors. Win or lose their support is given unconditionally.
The person that said it takes a village to raise a football team was right.
#51 that is what I saw. It also happened later with another runningback. Could be like you said. They need more practice to get the mesh right. I know Justin hasn’t run the ball much but he has made some critical plays. And that is what you want your players to do. Do the job when their number is called. I too hope to see his number called more often.
Go Justin!
51. Yeah it did look like a miscommunication so it makes sense. And my comment wasn’t directed towards saying Vele hasn’t played well. He has been a big part in the blocking game. I was referring to running the coconut more comment. He hasn’t gotten carries so I didn’t know what the poster was referring to saying he makes plays and should get more carries. I still think his biggest value is blocking over carrying the ball and maybe a few spider 2 Y banana throws in passing game. So I apologize that the comment came out negatively.
Precedence for a guilty plea is 3 games. It should be the same for a not guilty plea as well. Stupid decision to wait for a judge/jury verdict. Penalizes the accused for wanting to prove ones innocense.
This week the challenge falls squarely on the defense and special teams for both field position and to put a stop on SDSU running game. Depends on who is at QB for them will dictate how much they run. Hawaii’s offenswive game plan looks as if it’s going to be short pass draw and screen route along with misdirection based on who is in the backfield. There did not seem to be a fire in the belly by some at the start of the Wyoming game….that changed as the game wore on. I honestly believe there will be a rallying of the troops and an overall intense effort by the Warriors…..gotta stop Pumphrey……should be a good game.
Would love to see Justin Vele get somes touches I think he deserves the opportunity. Also the reference to him fumbling…..he did not fumble he was not the intended ball carrier the ball was supposed to be pitched which means he was load/fill blocking for a pulling or reach blocking guard….just for the record. Hope he gets a chance really think it would be a pleasant surprise—-
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