Warrior Beat

In a collaborative effort bridging the past and present, Polynesian Warriors and Rainbow Warriors, a new rite was added to the UH football program. Before every practice, the Warriors will touch a koa plaque in the locker room to draw mana and unity. A group of boosters, chaired by Kekoa Furtado, and coach Nick Rolovich introduced the rite during an emotional ceremony yesterday afternoon. Brook Kapukuniahi Parker, a famed illustrator and Hawaiian historian, created a picture of Polynesian warriors. That […]

With about 40 first-year Warriors, it sometimes is about just establishing a routine. And that was the most significant takeaway from Saturday’s scrimmage at Aloha Stadium. The Warriors simulated the game-day routine, from meetings to the pre-event meal, to the bus ride to the stadium, to how to exit the locker room. The little things matter. Of note: > The quarterbacks had their moments. Chevan Cordeiro opened in a rhythm, speed-reading the coverages and making quick (and correct) decisions. He […]

The Warriors are practicing today at Aloha Stadium for the first — and only — time this training camp.

Two freshmen — Ilm Manning and Solo Vaipulu — have been impressive this training camp. So much so they have practiced with the No. 1 offensive line this past week. Manning has practiced at left tackle and Vaipulu at right guard. I can’t remember the last time the Warriors started two true freshmen on the offensive line. As of today, Kaiwi Chung is the No. 1 center. But it’s still early, and things can change.

Cornerback Austin “PK” Pang Kee has rejoined the Warriors. “I had some personal business to take care of,” said Pang Kee, who did not participate in the offseason conditioning program. (Coach Nick Rolovich) gave me an opportunity to come back, and I was really appreciative of that.” Pang Kee’s father, Tony Pang Kee, played for the Warriors in 1990 and 1991. Pang Kee is a 2015 Damien Memorial School graduate. He was a member of the scout team the past […]

“It’s a tradition,” said coach Nick Rolovich, kicking off the annual pool day for the Warriors. A little bit of history: > Pool day started as a reward during the JJ era. > Pool days are pre-planned, but to make it entertaining, sometimes there would be a “reward” competition. If a kicker converted a field goal, say, then everyone got a pool day. Thing was, there were times when the kicker would miss. And the the competition would have to […]

The newcomer is feeling at home. Kolney Cassel, who enrolled at UH last month as a graduate transfer from Sacramento State, remains in the mix at quarterback. This training camp, each candidate has taken a turn in the front of the rotation. Today, it was Cassel’s turn to take the first reps of each drill. Cassel began his collegiate career at SMU, playing in June Jones’ run-and-shoot offense. But his stints there and at Sac State were interrupted by three […]