Warriors are partners in youth program

Nick Rolovich grew up in a household of love, support and encouragement. But like most tweens, “you need somebody (outside the family) to tell you everything’s going to be OK and your life is going to be what you make of it and you can do whatever you want,” Rolovich said. “Hearing that from the right person at the right time is the reason why I’m here (as UH coach). We all had somebody like that.”

For Rolovich, that was the brother of his uncle’s wife — Dan Hayes, quarterbacks coach at City College of San Francisco.

“I wanted to be a quarterback, and he was the closest thing to anybody I knew doing it,” Rolovich said. “He told me it wouldn’t be easy, but if I really wanted to do it, I could do it.”

Rolovich went on play quarterback at CCSF, become a record-setting passer at UH, enjoy a diverse pro career, and then eventually coach at his alma mater. Yesterday, it was announced the Warriors would participate in the Youth Impact Program.

The program, started by former NFL linebacker Riki Ellison and in place at several NCAA schools across the country, is intended for disadvantaged and at-risk boys entering grades 6-8.

YIP will select about 100 boys to participate in a camp that runs weekdays from July 3-14 at the UH athletic complex.

The participants will receive instructions on academics and life lessons in the morning, and go through football-related activities in the afternoon. YIP and its sponsors will provide transportation, apparel, and two full meals each day. Eight UH players will serve as mentors and instructors in the football activities. Jason Cvercko, UH’s director of recruiting and retention, is the director of Hawaii camp. Graduate assistant coach Marc Moody assists in event planning and coordination.

“It’s all win-win,” Rolovich said. “Those things in Hawaii all change lives.”