Spring football: Past meets present

During yesterday evening’s first meeting of spring training, head coach Nick Rolovich gave an impassioned speech on the Warriors’ history of pride and purpose.

And then more than 100 former Warriors descended the stairs of the athletic complex auditorium to welcome the current players to the ohana.

Smoke got in Rolovich’s eyes.

Afterward, many of the former players stayed to talk story at a reception sponsored by Na Koa.

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Nick Rolovich and Colt Brennan
Nick Rolovich and Colt Brennan
Ashley Leilie, Craig Stutzmann, Rolovich, Channon Harris, Tafiti Uso, Brian Smith
Ashley Leilie, Craig Stutzmann, Rolovich, Channon Harris, Tafiti Uso, Brian Smith
Afatia Thompson
Afatia Thompson
Matt Faga and Khevin Peoples
Matt Faga and Khevin Peoples
Alvis Satele and Mike Akiu
Alvis Satele and Mike Akiu
Leonard Peters and Abraham Elimimian
Leonard Peters and Abraham Elimimian
Beau Yap
Beau Yap
Samson Satele
Samson Satele
John Estes and right tackle RJ Hollis
John Estes and right tackle RJ Hollis
Alonzo Chopp, Colt Brennan and Khevin Peoples
Alonzo Chopp, Colt Brennan and Khevin Peoples
Cayman Shutter
Cayman Shutter
Marcus Malepeai
Marcus Malepeai

COMMENTS

  1. Kris March 29, 2016 4:38 am

    Awesome. I like it a lot!


  2. WarriorNY March 29, 2016 5:06 am

    That pic with Rolo and Colt is just awesome… Great to see you back in action Mr. Tsai!


  3. Akamai Okole March 29, 2016 5:24 am

    Great Morning All!

    Looks like a terrific event to kick-off Coach Rolo’s tenure.

    Very nice to see all the alumni support!

    GO Warriors!


  4. Slugger March 29, 2016 5:34 am

    Aloha kakahiaka, Stephen! Morning, Tsaikos!

    I miss seeing these guys. Love Afatia’s shoes!


  5. Arcumfortis March 29, 2016 5:50 am

    This is different!

    The past regime (yes I know I should let it go already) was disconnected from our history. It was a team that needed to center on the HC and his legacy rather than the history and legacy of the program. Big failure, bad legacy.

    This feels better.


  6. Stephen Tsai March 29, 2016 6:06 am

    Wake up, everybody!
    It’s spring ball.
    Where the heck is everyone?


  7. Bryson March 29, 2016 6:36 am

    Awesome to hear Rolo reconnecting and helping to build those bridges between former and current Warriors something we have been lacking for a longtime,I hope to see it continue as they say “you stand on the shoulders of those before you”…Can’t wait to catch Saturdays practice


  8. UKU@LA March 29, 2016 6:37 am

    WARRIORS!!!
    ALOHA, FROM LA!!

    MANEO !!!


  9. islandman March 29, 2016 6:39 am

    I just woke up, you were up so early at 3:45 am.


  10. Akamai Okole March 29, 2016 6:53 am

    Wake up, everybody!
    It’s spring ball.
    Where the heck is everyone?

    We waiting for your updates(and photos)!

    That’s why you get the big bux! 😈 πŸ˜‰ πŸ˜†


  11. tom March 29, 2016 7:37 am

    GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!

    SO HAPPY TO SEE STEPHEN BACK AT WORK.

    And the gathering of the Ohana of our former plauers – fantastic Rolo!
    Good to see Colt back up in Manoa!


  12. letsgowarriors March 29, 2016 7:47 am

    Rolo is the MAN!


  13. sofaking_blk March 29, 2016 8:12 am

    Wonder why Colt wasn’t offered a position on Rolo’s staff?


  14. haka March 29, 2016 9:03 am

    Spring Rolo’s for pupu’s!

    Awesome to see Warrior Pride recognized and in full display!

    Let’s Go Bows!


  15. islandman March 29, 2016 9:12 am

    A link someone posted elsewhere showing practice:
    https://www.facebook.com/KaLeoOHawaii/videos/1302341346449463/


  16. Da Punchbowl Kid March 29, 2016 9:53 am

    Excellent! Reminding the players that they stand on the shoulders of giants is the way to build a foundation.

    Mahalo to all the older Warriors for coming out and supporting the younger ones. PRIDE ROCK LIVES AND BREATHES!!!

    Rolo gets it!

    GO WARRIORS!!!


  17. PONO March 29, 2016 9:53 am

    I like the fact that Ganot and Rolo are both honoring the history of their respective programs. It shows a true understanding of what it means to represent the Univ and State of Hawaii. Go Bows.


  18. hitmanhart67 March 29, 2016 10:52 am

    aloha and good morning everyone !! nice photos ST !! nice to see all this all the old players !!


  19. seewhy March 29, 2016 11:21 am

    Super late on this, but welcome back ST! It was nice meeting you at the basketball game last month. Glad to see you back on the job.


  20. turfwar March 29, 2016 12:08 pm

    Great pics ST. Man if any members of the team doesn’t get just jacked to go out and work their tails off after this then they’re at the wrong place. I hope they feel a sense of accountability for how they practice, how they play, how they act on and off the field and in the classroom. What they do matters. To many. Especially to the men who have gone on before them.


  21. FrannyK March 29, 2016 12:14 pm

    WELCOME BACK ST!!!

    One of the first things Ganot said in the after game interview was “for my old boss, Riley Wallace, we love ya”. Class move!

    Now one of the first things Rolo does is honor Warriors of the past. It speaks well for him. I love seeing the players who spent themselves on the field and the classroom for this program come back and be recognized. I hope it continues.

    GREAT JOB ROLO! LIVE ALOHA, PLAY WARRIOR!


  22. al March 29, 2016 12:19 pm

    13. Okay I’ll answer the one know one wants, it is a sensitive issue.
    Colt’s past with the law in the before and still yet to come is first and foremost.
    I don’t know if he has a college degree?
    Etc, etc, etc.


  23. al March 29, 2016 12:21 pm

    I think we finally got it right.
    Nice way to usher in the Rolo Era.


  24. H-Man March 29, 2016 12:24 pm

    Went to the optometrist this morning to get the eyes dilated and checked. Much thanks ST for the pics. Awesome. Rolo makes it feel like Warrior football is here. Marcus Malepeai is really huge, but you cant’t tell by the picture. He walked past me on the practice field once and it was a memorable experience for me to see up close just how big the players are. Go Warriors !!!


  25. NotNasti March 29, 2016 12:27 pm

    Al, Colt received his bachelor’s degree in communication in December, 2007. The keynote speaker at the commencement was Barry Weinman, who wore Colt’s #15 jersey while delivering his speech.


  26. jim white March 29, 2016 12:28 pm

    Florida lurkers –go Warriors-go Rolo-welcome back ST


  27. A-House March 29, 2016 12:44 pm

    Holy Moley Andy – did you see ST at 3 am today intently staring at his lap top monitor

    ST: did not toot my horn cause your neighbors may get upset!

    and, great to see your short clip on KHON news this morning as part of their lead in to the start spring practice


  28. A-House March 29, 2016 12:47 pm

    i want to thank whomever he/she or they were who made the effort to contact all those former players who attended the start of spring ball – was it a surprise for Rolo??

    what wonderful memories of their playing time at UH!!!!!!! smoke in Rolo’s eyes – heck he wasn’t the only one!


  29. A-House March 29, 2016 1:02 pm

    maddog50:

    you would have been the perfect guest player at the gathering of “eagles”!

    your passion in your speech at the Ohio State tailgate was just awesome – glad I had to honor to meet you there!

    see in Michigan?


  30. jeezy33 March 29, 2016 1:04 pm

    22. I think people assume that because so and so was a good player, it means they will make a good coach. But that is the most false assumption anyone can make. Most all star players don’t make good coaches. It’s the gym rats who live in the film room and enjoy the grind and studying and listening to new philosophies that become good coaches. Students of the game that don’t require much sleep.


  31. A-House March 29, 2016 1:05 pm

    Jim White:

    great to see another “East Coast” Tsaiko on board!

    wonder what happened to our Georgia Tsaiko? are you still keeping up with us?

    hiya, Alanbama!

    hiya, Committed Road Warrior in DC!


  32. oldtimer808 March 29, 2016 2:44 pm

    This is a great start for Rolo. He truly understands the culture as well as Eran Ganot and Laura Beeman. What was interesting at yesterdays basketball celebration at Manoa, the acknowledgement of working well with Coach Ganot. I never heard those comments made of the previous men’s basketball coaches.


  33. panda96720 March 29, 2016 2:53 pm

    JEEZY # 22 “But that is the most false assumption anyone can make.”

    The most false assumption any man can make, is to believe a pretty lady, would be the best in the bedroom.


  34. Annoddah Dave March 29, 2016 3:43 pm

    ST & Tsaiko Blog Dogs:
    Practice had a much slower tempo as players get used to Rolo and new coaches. The usual fans appeared to be at the this practice. Rained lightly a couple of times but players seemed very enthused especially the defensive backs.


  35. gigi-hawaii March 29, 2016 4:28 pm

    So nice to see you back on your blog, Stephen. Hubby and I saw you on TV at the basketball game.

    Way to go, Rolo. Good luck and best wishes.


  36. Otto March 29, 2016 5:00 pm

    A couple of month’s ago, the Tizer reported that Colt’s attorney had his trial postponed again because he was on the mainland for treatment of his brain injury suffered in his car crash, but there he is….. Also does anyone see the irony of Cayman Shutter having his picture taken with an adult beverage in hand…. Last season, former UH Football Greats were Honorary Team Captains for the coin toss…. but it’s great to see so many in one setting. I hope Na Koa and the UH Letterwinner Club was able to sign some up as members…


  37. Curt March 29, 2016 5:12 pm

    Welcome back, Stephen. And, great job with the photos.


  38. pakipark March 29, 2016 6:15 pm

    Bring back the tradition. Nice to see the ‘Bows and Warriors.


  39. SteveM March 29, 2016 7:22 pm

    Re: #31

    Jim White — what city in Florida do you reside in?
    Not many Florida bloggers, but a listing is at:
    http://stevem.altervista.org/mainintpost.html

    Committed Road Warrior (our Tsai-ko leader in D.C.) posts often in Facebook and is now flying all over the world. Hmmm, wonder if he’s going to Sydney for the UH opener… πŸ™‚


  40. al March 29, 2016 7:59 pm

    25…nice to know that Colt does have his parchment.


  41. al March 29, 2016 8:00 pm

    30… Totally agree on that.


  42. oneseason March 29, 2016 9:40 pm

    Great to see all the community spirit and enthusiasm. Looking forward to the arrival of our season tickets.


  43. traitmanz March 29, 2016 9:59 pm

    Wow all these alumni live on Oahu? Nice to see guys like Chopp, Harris, Kevin Peoples, John Estes adopting Hawaii as home


  44. traitmanz March 29, 2016 10:02 pm

    BTW where is this room located? In the SSC?


  45. rabbit ears March 29, 2016 10:28 pm

    Is ashley leilie on staff


  46. Maddog50 March 30, 2016 2:39 am

    A-House-thanks for the kind words-I am thinking of going to Michigan and also Air Force. It was great to see this assembly of former players-from my time Mike, Glen and Simeon were among the attendees-I hope for even more engagement from football alums and a groundswell of those joining Na Koa for just 25 bucks your in and every penny counts! I am excited about this upcoming season and think there will be great improvement. Go Warriors!!!!!


  47. cappie the dog March 30, 2016 6:39 am

    Max Wittek is ranked as the twenty-fourth best quarterback prospect by WalterFootball.com. He’s in the company of Illinois’ Wes Lunt and Utah State’s Chuckie Keaton.


  48. Ipu Man March 30, 2016 8:05 am

    Sweet and Sour…
    Great special event and pics.
    Sad tho to see Colt next to Rolo,
    Success next Failure…
    Colt should not have come back to play in hindsight.


  49. Ipu Man March 30, 2016 8:06 am

    …next “to”… πŸ™


  50. Stephen Tsai March 30, 2016 9:06 am

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=36550


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