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Tulimasealii, Gifford suspended

By Stephen Tsai on April 14, 2016

After this morning’s practice, head coach Nick Rolovich announced defensive tackles Kennedy Tulimasealii and Ka‘au Gifford have been suspended for an indefinite period following their arrests on misdemeanor accusations on Tuesday morning. Both players will remain on scholarship and allowed to attend classes and study hall, but are excluded from team-related activities. Further decisions will be made after more information is collected. The will not participate in the rest of spring training, which runs through April 29. Tulimasealii is scheduled […]

UH football: Depth reduction

By Stephen Tsai on April 13, 2016

Even before yesterday’s arrests of defensive tackles Kennedy Tulimasealii and Ka‘aumoana Gifford, there were concerns about the Warriors’ depth at the two interior line positions. The switch to the four-man front had helped because hybrid edge defenders (Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea, Meffy Koloamatangi, David Manoa and Manly Williams) could play end. But the Warriors are lacking big bodies for the inside. Samiuela Akoteu, who was cleared to work out after missing the 2015 season because of a foot injury, shifted from the […]

2 Warriors arrested

By Stephen Tsai on April 12, 2016

Defensive tackles Kennedy Tulimasealii and Ka‘aumoana Gifford were arrested at 6 this morning in McCully. Tulimasealii, 21, was arrested on accusations of two counts of domestic abuse, one count of harassment, and one count of resisting arrests. He also had two contempt warrants. His bond was $5,650. Gifford, 20, was arrested on an accusation of obstruction. His bond was $500. Both are expected to be suspended from team-related activities.

Thanksgiving in April

By Stephen Tsai on April 11, 2016

The volleyball Warriors always had a family feel to the program. The aunties give lei to players and coaches from both teams. The boosters prepare the post-match potluck. And the past two seasons, it appears that every third fans is wearing a “6” T-shirt. It was fitting the annual banquet was scheduled the night after “senior night,” and dubbed as the “recognition” dinner. Players whose parents did not attend drew numbers that corresponded with table numbers. Those players then spent […]

Sunday musings

By Stephen Tsai on April 10, 2016

The past four spring practices, the Warriors have been in full pads. Under the previous three head coaches, the Warriors would practice “like the pros,” having some workouts in just shells (shoulder pads) or no pads at all. But head coach Nick Rolovoch said just because the Warriors are in full pads does not mean there is whistle-to-whistle hitting. “There are periods when we’re not very physical,” Rolovich said. “It’s spring ball. That’s part of the reason we spread it […]

Spring practice #6

By Stephen Tsai on April 9, 2016

For the fourth consecutive practice, the Warriors were in full pads, with the 2-hour-plus practice concluding with a 34-play scrimmage. The highlights: > Defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii made a crushing backfield tackle on Ryan Tuiasoa for a 3-yard loss, then ended the scrimmage when he recovered a fumble on a botched flea-flicker play. > Running back Paul Harris, who gained 4 pounds of muscle during the offseason, powered his way for a 30-yard gain on a trap play up the […]

UH football: Raising the genius bar

By Stephen Tsai on April 8, 2016

Sure, this coaching staff is more social-media savvy. But there are other new teaching/assessment tools introduced this spring training, such as: Teaching tools don’t have to be expensive. A trip to Target is all that is needed for a Super Soaker to help in punt-return drills. Here’s my attempt at a video: Super Soaker * * * * * Oklahoma drills from yesterday’s practice: Oklahoma Drill video 1 Oklahoma drill video 2 Oklahoma drill video 3 Oklahoma drill video 4 […]

Spring practice #5: It was pro day

By Stephen Tsai on April 7, 2016

In the Warriors’ version of pro day, today’s visitors included defensive end Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Manti Teo of the San Diego Chargers. Kynan Forney, a former UH offensive lineman who played 10 NFL seasons, made his second appearance. Also visiting were former Warriors Bryant Moniz, Randall Okimoto, Manly Williams, Jeremiah Cockheran and Shawn Withy-Allen.