Making a point
On a gravel parking area next to Klum Gym, there is an abandoned bus that serves as a memorial to what was supposed to be a promising basketball future under Gib Arnold. The bus’ exterior is adorned with action pictures of former players — one of whom is Miah Ostrowski.
The bus is a dust collector, Arnold is gone and Ostrowski has moved on to the rest of his life. A lesson of that image is that quality basketball players, like Ostrowski, might be found on other UH rosters.
Two-sport athletes are not unique at UH. Ikaika Alama-Francis and Tony Akpan made the move from basketball to football. Chris Walz played basketball and then baseball. Jason Ross went from being a safety to a right fielder. The summer before becoming a UH basketball player, David Hallums was working out as a BYU football player — until it was learned that Hallums wasn’t actually enrolled at BYU. Rykin Enos went from football to basketball to football. Then there was Ostrowski, who made seamless transitions from slotback to point guard to slotback to point guard …
Which brings us to the point that one of the best point guards on campus also is a slotback. John Ursua had toyed with the idea of trying out for basketball this past spring before deciding he needed to focus on academics and football. It was apparent the past football season Ursua is quick, athletic and doesn’t fear contact. People in the know says he’s the same way in basketball. Just sayin’ …
The basketball ‘Bows recently signed Kahuku’s Jessiya Villa, who will go on a two-year church mission before enrolling at UH. Ursua, who fulfilled a mission, showed no rust but greater maturity after returning.
Hey, it’s just a thought.
1st or 2nd . John should keep focusing on one sport, i think. Hard to play football and do well in the classroom too.
Rolo said on Bobby’s show Hynson could be the best recruiter.
Also noted before that the best QB in school may not be playing football.
Howzit Tsaikos!
#3. We’ve had this discussion before. I, for one, would like to see Tui concentrate on VB. Wade thinks he has the potential to make the National Team as a libero.
ST – have you seen Isaac Liva lately? Which team is he working out with?
Recent basketball recruit Jaaron Stallworth was a standout DB and QB coming out of high school. Was being recruited by Air Force, Army, Fresno and several other D1 schools
Glad to hear Rolo say they are already preparing the game plan for UMass.
I think Liva has a better shot at football. I think Tui should give football a shot if he gets a scholarship
ST – Any news on Jamie Tago? Has he been doing conditioning off campus?
Multi-sport athletes on a Division One NCAA are a special breed. If can, can.
Happy Birthday to a very wise poster, Akamai okole!
Hmmmn, plenty of those multi-sports types. From my day, folks may not remember that Sam Johnson (Moanalua HS fame) also did a stint one spring checking out football. Mike Akiu, would have no doubt ran track, ( for pete sakes the guy beat an Olympic gold medalist, Ron Brown, on more than one occasion), also moonlighted one spring with the baseball team.
Pat Gassman, tight end
Brett Rosenmeier, WR
Boola,
Bill Puluti, shot put, javelin
McKinley Reynolds, RB, TE and power forward. All 6’3″ of him.
Ostrowski was amazing.
He looked like a point guard.
He was a point guard.
Had he devoted full-time to basketball, I wonder where he would be today.
After his junior season, I was praying that he would quit football.
Within my lifetime of watching UH basketball, only Anthony Carter ranks higher in my estimation.
I’m not quite old enough to remember Tom Henderson.
Whatever John Ursua wants to do, in consultation with Rolo and Ganot is fine with me. But, no question, he can help the basketball team. It’s tough playing two Division I sports at a high level. The 2 that comes to mind right away is 1) Charlie Ward and 2) Julius Peppers. Maybe, Jeff Samardzia fills that bill too. Dang, can’t forget Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders too.
Suggestion for Ursua: Priority #1 is academics and get your degree. You can’t play sports forever, but making a difference in rest of your life, and family can. Just do your best.
TOP 5 TWO-SPORT PLAYERS
1. Miah Ostrowski(football, basketball)
2. Megan Huff(volleyball, women’s basketball)
3. Chris Walz(baseball, basketball)
4. Kim Willoughby(volleyball, women’s basketball)
5. Tony Akpan(basketball, football)*
Honorable Mention: Mike Among(men’s volleyball, basketball)
Just like Ostrowski, I think basketball was Akpan’s best sport. All I remember Akpan doing on the gridiron was blocking an extra-point.
Huff’s defection really broke my heart. Then Prince died and it didn’t seem like such a big deal. It’s only sports, not life.
The best multi-sport UH athlete arguably RB/DB Skippy Dyer also ran track and played baseball back in the 1950s. Dyer was a key player on offense and defense in UH’s 6-0 upset of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1955. Dyer served in the Marines, which later brought him to Hawaii after serving overseas.
Zack Chan got on base twice(single, BB).
Way to step up.
I’m going to google Skippy Dyer.
On MSNBC, during Trump’s inaguration, Hallie Jackson had to google Tony Orlando.
Skippy Dyer passed away in 2016. Read that UH Coach Hank Vansconcellos recruited Dyer after he gave UH fits when they played the Marines a couple of seasons (before they played an all-collegiate schedule)
Any update on Jamie Tago?
Great Morning All!
Mahalo to DPK for the BDay shout out.
2-way always valuable…eating and drinking!
Das it.
#7 Tsai comment: No brainer. Go for it Tui.
A scholarship will also help your volleyball.
Rolo ru listening?
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=43522