Thanks to Lucy Jokiel for the opportunity to talk story with her UH magazine writing class yesterday. Among the class was a couple of student athletes including volleyball All-American Emily Hartong; Hartong is also All Big West academic as a communications major.  Judging from this group’s questions and answers, the next wave of writer/reporters/broadcasters coming out of Manoa will be a good one. *** Former UH star Chuck Crim is now bullpen coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Crim will […]

There was a Kenny Niumatalolo sighting Friday at Kaimuki High School. No, the Navy football coach isn’t recruiting a Bulldog, at least that we know of. UH spokeswoman Tina Shelton tells us the former Radford and University of Hawaii quarterback was there to see his nephew begin his career as a student at UH’s John A. Burns School of Medicine. David Niumatalolo, a former Kahuku standout, played defensive end at New Mexico State while earning a 4.00 GPA majoring in […]

The former Braves reliever John Rocker says baseball was better with steroids, and I know he’s not alone. I like home runs, too. But I also like moving runners over, tactical pitching changes, no doubles defense, infield in, etc., etc. When the scores are higher, you often lose the game within the game and many of the fine subtleties that make baseball special.

You may have wondered what happened to the University of Hawaii football team’s leading rusher from last year. Will Gregory is now enrolled in classes at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. Gregory was expelled from UH after the fall, 2012 semester for repeatedly breaking campus housing rules. He initially had hopes to return to school at UH and rejoin the football team, but in a phone interview last week said that is no longer the case. “No, I […]

I’m back after nearly a month on vacation and a lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same. Curious for your thoughts on the following topics and whatever else: >> Starting today, July 1, all University of Hawaii men’s sports teams are named Rainbow Warriors. I think we’ll still call the football team Warriors and the baseball team Rainbows a lot. Basketball? Around 50-50, but trending toward Warriors. >> Yasiel Puig was called up by the Dodgers and the […]

A supporter of the Warrior nickname on a UH fan site asked me to do an article in the paper about rumors of pressure exerted upon athletic director Ben Jay to change his decision on the nickname from “Warrior” to “Rainbow Warrior.” My response follows. Here’s why I won’t do that kind of article: After two days of asking around I’ve discovered zero evidence of any big money donor throwing his weight around to force the AD to change his decision, […]

UH athletic director Ben Jay sent this email to Rally4Rainbows organizer Stephen Chinen. Mr. Chinen, Mahalo for your e-mail. As my assistant Jeannie Lee previously informed you, I am currently attending meetings on the mainland and will not be available for the rally. However, I’m glad we were able to meet in order to share views and opinions. When the decision was made in 2000 to change the nickname of the football, men’s volleyball, golf, and tennis teams to Warriors, […]