Curveball (1952-2013)
Rest in peace — Gary Holden aka “Curveball”
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Ground and walls were broken with the start of the remodeling of the Rainbow Warrior football locker room.
As one worker said: “Anything tile is coming down.”
The project is expected to be completed — knock on koa — by the time the freshmen report to training camp on July 31.
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Several members of the d-line:
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Running back Diocemy Saint Juste, Ne’Quan Phillips, Keith Kirkwood and Tony Grimes:
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For those who wish to see UH players run gassers, go to Ching field at 3:45 p.m. today.
The 7-on-7 drills will follow.
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Avis has selected Laulau Head as the winner of the two tickets to the REACH Out party on Sunday. E-mail your number to stsai@staradvertiser.com and Princess Leila will call you.
Tickets still are available for the event, of which proceeds will benefit after-school programs for middle-school students.
Here’s the link: REACH Out
If you’re attending the event, there is free parking available at HMSA.
Looks good!
I seems it’s cutting it close, it’s only about 1 month from now. But it’s good to see that things are being done to improve some facilities, although slowly. I hope a bigger and better weight and exercise building and training area are on the docket.
morning 😎
Gotta tear it down to build it up…
I hope the contractors do a better job than the goys that did the job at my place of employment.
Fat fingers “guys” not goys.
Hurrah!!!!!
ST, tnx 4 pixs.
When the dust settles, I hope USC will be left with a BIG Goose egg on the scoreboard, while The Warriors run up 56 points! Thus sending the message to all that “We’re Back”!
Kudos to AD Ben Jay and the readers for yesterday’s lively discussions.
The future is now Warriors….Imua!
DPK,
Spot on with Ben Jay the “straight shooter” and not sugar coating what shouldn’t be.
While it’s not something to celebrate to hear about how difficult the situation is, its refreshing to hear how it really is.
He himself said, if I can’t get this done in 3-4 years, you might as well kick me out.
This guy plays no games. I for one respect that.
Nice how Ferd’s article today regarding Blangiardi’s bid for UH sports touched on a much discussed topic last night — MARKETING.
Wow! Koa in the War Room… :-). Nice!
My only advice is: If you make a mistake, don’t hire a lawyer. Correcting a mistake shouldn’t cost more than the actual mistake.
GOOD MORNING HAWAII!
Thought I’d re-post KEKOA’s reaction to Ben Jay’s comments at last night’s meeting with the Tsaikos:
”
• Re: Meeting W/AD
My overall impression is one of deep respect for the man. He kept us engaged in a 2 way conversation for a little over 2 hours! All the while, he very patiently revealed his vision for UH. He fielded our questions and concerns with the confidence of a man who really wants to get ‘er done!
It was a standing room only group of Tsaiko’s that met with the AD. There was much to be said by both parties as the discussion finally came to a reluctant conclusion. I say that only because the AD was so eager to give us a detailed plan of action, that he didn’t want to stop! BG & Tom Mui tried to bring the talk to a conclusion, but it apparently had triggered the real passion that this man has for his position. He continued engaging with small clusters of very appreciative Tsaiko’s for over 30 minutes after the room was cleared!
We didn’t solve all the troubles of a department that is struggling to keep it’s head above the fiscal flood of debt, but many great ideas were exchanged. He keyed on several issues that were problematic to him. Attendance was high on his list. He seemed surprised that we were on the same wave length when it came to solutions. One of several ideas included revitalizing the MWR ticketing program with our island military that had been so successful in the past. This is just an inkling of what transpired over the course of our discussion.
I’m convinced that we left a very good impression on the man with the plan. I don’t think he realized what a truly informative cross-section of dedicated individuals that make up this rag tag group of mild mannered Tsaiko’s.
ST ~ Please pass on our thanks (again!) to the AD for taking a huge chunk of his personal time to meet with us.”
DPK had a similiar reaction as did many others making verbal comments after the session ended.
Thanks Ben Jay!
Mo808:
I was thinking of local wood to knock on. There won’t actually be koa in there.
Let’s just call the team No Koa.
Prayers for curveball
Indeed, Curveball and his family are enduring a very difficult time. Keep him in your hearts and prayers.
17. Good one, ST.
Saint Juste looks like a gamer… he reminds me of Jacquizz Rodgers.. Former Pac-10 Offensive AND Freshman Player of the year!
Grimes looks good too… put on some muscle
ST,
Do you think the locker rooms will end up looking like the pictures they have up on the Hawaii athletics website?
Phillips has emerged as one of the leaders of the secondary, make that, one of the leaders of the team. He’s always encouraging teammates, even backup kickers.
Nice meeting many of you Tsaiko’s last night at the Q&A with AD. I agree with Kekoa’s assessment about our AD. I fully support his approach, and he’s not here to play games. If he can’t do it, with his outside perspective, its very hard to think anybody can. The next 3-5 years for UH Athletics is critical. There were some interesting concepts discussed, and I think getting th
…the Mainland alumni and Hawaii ex-pats feeling the love and financially supporting the team is an important initiative.
Good morning Tsaikos!!!!
Good meeting last night…. 🙂
Nice to see many of you again….it’s been a long time…. 🙂
boya_jr,
i was mistakenly informed that you were hiflyer’s nephew haha.
Thanks, ST. Now, everytime I see or hear Na Koa, I’m going to think No Koa.
Interesting read in the HSA about PPV and Rick Blangiardi’s take on it.
UH needs to find a way to encourage attendance. Have you ever heard a fan say “This next game interesting. I would attend but I already pay for PPV.” There’s got to be a way to credit a PPV subscriber who decides to attend instead.
Good morning folks!
Slugger, sorry to miss the Hawaiian food at Hale Ikena…got a full slate today.
BJ said the RWarriors locker room is one of his highest priorities. Has been very disappointed with the way the construction programs have been run…e.g. having 300+ change orders on one project. Said he prefers an average of 5 or less change orders.
Also said that he is working hard to change attitudes on his staff as well as with relationships everywhere (including upper campus).
Would like to take over marketing of UH items without taking on the debt. Hard to fathom, but sales has managed to lose money.
BJ has difficulties with the “go slow” environment he has to deal with.
I could start talking about conference re-alignment, travel subsidies, et. al., but these are all topics which have been discussed ad nauseum…and I don’t have the time anyway.
Make it a great day! // bg
#27….MWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
K5 is not getting back the rights. Can’t put the genie back in the bottle.
#31….yep…and can’t lose the $2.4 million as well….
@17…ST, waaaaaah! No moa Koa 🙁
#32,
Yep. The $2.4 is the baseline. Jay said he can’t give it up.
SteveM, I just got a call from my Cuz Kawika & fiancee who are our cruzin cousins. They just got in town yesterday and will join us at Genji’s tonight! 🙂
If UH was to give up the pay-per-view program, which no other MWC member has, as Blangiardi suggests because of all the “techie” improvements, would the MWC be willing to “share” their tv rights income with Hawaii?
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the session with Ben Jay, but I would be really interested to know what he had to say about conference realignment, if anything. I know he’s said before that he thinks the “power” conferences are working to break away from the lesser FBS conferences like the MWC and form their own division. Does he still think this is coming? Does he think there’s anything UH can or should be doing to try to land in the future upper division? What are the short-term implications for scheduling more Pac-12 football opponents? Mahalo in advance to anyone who can share his comments on these and/or related matters.
I sort of feel that our membership in the MWC is one just out of convenience (theirs), leaving UH is a tenuous situation. If another team comes a calling that may have a better “package” and there is only room for a certain number, guess who will be squeezed out. The deal looks just out of balance.
I liken it to the pretty girl who will continue to go out with the less than attractive guy who is willing to bring a nice car on the dates, pay for the meals and entertainment, but could never get a kiss. And he has to be okay with that simply because she’s a pretty one.
Then the stud comes along with maybe a not so nice car, and may say,”let’s Dutch once in a while, you mind?” They seal it with a kiss and the not so attractive guy gets the kiss…off, that is. Left out, once again.
Cheeeee!!! I’m reaching out!!!
Thanks ST and Princess Leila!!
I sent my number to ST’s email…
BEAT USC!!!
I think Rick is misguided in his insistence to drop PPV. You need to embrace technology, not shun it.
UH’s Athletic Department needs money more than it needs butts to fill the seats of Aloha. Rather than make it a war of choices, embrace the real money maker. Enhance it… offer different packages. Basic, Deluxe, Premium…(low res, medium res, high res, DVDs, access to special behind the scene programming, special emails or printed fan mail…etc.) Try to boost it to over $3 million.
Then, lower the prices of the less desirable seats in Aloha to get more butts into the house.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Take your best money sources, embrace them, nurture them, make them work for you and as they grow, spread the proceeds around to grow the rest of your programs. It’s Business 101.
50,000 seats with 5K parking stalls is a pretty limited inventory….
Having pay per view and being able to watch UH football in HD, plus watching a lot of college football games at the same time is the best of all worlds. I don’t mind paying for pay per view. It helps us support UH this way too. If UH football plays an exciting and entertaining brand of football, and WINS more than we lose, more fans will attend the game, period. When Colt Brennan was playing I wanted to see him in person. Now, maybe if Diocemy can be electric, I might want to come out and see him live too. I’m hoping he’s more like Marshall Faulk than Jacquizz Rodgers. That’s asking a lot. We just have to wait and see how he transitions to DI football. If we beat USC on August 29, more people will come out the next game at home.
Thanks for pix. I no see no holes to run thru that dline.
mih ~
Re: #45
The AD was painfully aware of the parking issue. You’d be surprised at how much of the critical details he has managed to dig out about his area of responsibility. In seeking out solutions, he is careful to be considerate of the impact one thing may have on another.
One thing for certain, he is determined to stay within his budget. Thank goodness some suggestions we made were ‘manuwahi.’
Two Warrior Beat photos posted of DSJ and both times he doesn’t even crack a smile. This can only mean one thing:
He’s here to take care of business!
45: They have to improve the overall experience at the stadium, especially the parking…From its inception and during the “glory” years of 40K+ crowds, the parking situation has always been the worst experience. They really need to improve the parking situation to attract 40K+ fans into NO ALOHA stadium.
Only takes a month to complete the locker rooms, but takes forever to actually break ground on the project. Business as usua.
Hawaii fans are notorious “band wagon” types…IF WE WIN, they will come. IF WE LOSE, you’d be lucky to see 30,000. IF WE STINK-UP the joint like we did last year, then you can expect people to stay home and watch something else other than UH football. It’s all about PRIDE, if we display a competitive brand of football and play games close, the fans will be engaged. If they SHAME us with the type of losses we had last year and previously, with Von Crappen, then nobody wants to attend games…I’ve had my season tickets since ’78 and I thought long and hard this year about giving it up because of the way we played last year. If we suck again, I don’t think I’ll have the conscience to renew my tickets again.
Mr. Jay pointed out that without PPV revenue, UH would take a big hit. He has a keen understanding and overview of pretty much everything related to the department. And he stands his ground when he’s right. Fans, upper campus and the legislature need to do their part. We need to start with a sold out stadium when the Trojans come calling.
GO WARRORS!!!
Sooooo lookin’ forward to seeing the locker room pau! Our Warriors deserve it. Thanks for all the pics, Mr. Tsai!
Happy Aloha Friday Gang!
Don’t quite see what Mr. B is trying to offer UH . In the SA article he seems ro be conceding the fact that OTW can write a bigger check to the program. Is he cutting down PPV because he cannot offer it? How is “The Home Team” going to help the program financially Mr B?
All this football talk is making me “Tirsty”. What time is it? Hehe. Let’s Go Bows!!!
Shoko, about DSJ, yeah I noticed that too. One thing I’d like to see is DSJ come on the Leahey and Leahey show. It would be nice to get to know the young man, but I agree, he looks like he’s all business.
When we beat USC in the first game, the headline might read, “Justice Is Served” after Diocemy wins the game after a clinching touchdown. That would be neat. I’m just dreaming.
RIP curveball
If Blangiardi were to become AD, I’m sure the first thing he would do is call Oceanic and ask for the check.
Pay-per-view is not going away.
It’s $2.3 million.
Bird in hand, and all of that.
I’m envious of Kirkwood’s green Mac Pro.
Gary DeWayne Holden 03/01/1952 – 06/28/2013 4:46 PM
God Bless, Curveball!
As for Oceanic and UH Sports. I don’t like it. I cannot see ANY UH sports not in National tv because I am not on Oceanic’s ripoff system.
But bigger than that, the greater audience potential is not on cable. It is online.
Broadcast Online.
There are UH fans of MANY sports scattered across the globe. I believe UH could benefit from a very pro-active marketing program… setting up an Amazon-like presence for the Rainbowtique…
But that’s me.
PS. Mahalo to Ben Jay for meeting with the Tsai-kos!
Curveball: Our Love and Aloha to you. Rest in Peace with your love Kristin. Mahalo for your family and caregivers.–sj and myki
Liz:
I think he referred to them as “UH bloggers.” He’s a rookie.
Mahalo to Tom Mui and The Guest Of The Day Ben Jay for yesterday’s meet-up.
With respect to Aloha Stadium parking, if the discussions with the Department of Interior work out in Hawai`i’s favor, as many as 5K additional spaces will be added over the next 10 years.
According to a report issued by HART yesterday, the first segment of the transit system from West O`ahu to Aloha Stadium will be completed by the 2017 football season.
condolences to curveball’s ohana prayers to ease your sorrow
we lost one good bruddah, he is missed
Lost in all the PPV hoopla is all the other UH sports we get for free on TV. as sports like women’s Vball and softball show, even if its on TV, if there’s a winning product on the field, they’ll show up.
Fans will show up that is.
rest in peace Gary
I was so sadden by Gary Holden’s passing. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him.
My prayers to the Holden’s Ohana.
Prayers to fellow Rainbow Warrior curveball and his family.
Didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Curveball, but RIP to him and condolences to his family.
R.I.P Curveball..condolences to the family.
Curveball joined the Tsai-kos in September 2008 when he first posted and won LizKauai’s ticket to a UH football game. I think I was cruising that week too and gave my tix to Long Time UH Fan. So Curveball sat with LTUHF at his first game.
Curveball was a retired law enforcement officer from the mainland. He was a private investigator in Hawaii until he started working toward a USCG Mate license on the pollution control vessel Pacific Responder before returned to Auburn, CA
Now he’s reunited with great Tsai-ko company: LTUHF, rasu begasu, and FloridaTed…
I want to say, “Rest in Peace, Gary”… but considering your companions now…seaman all… “Fair winds and following seas”. You got the helm!
😥
Lost in all of this is, without pay-per-view for football, there won’t be free telecasts of other UH sports.
Peace & Aloha Curveball
Rest in the arms of Jesus, Curveball! Aloha!
Prayers for your Ohana!
Howzit Tsaikos!
Condolences to Curveball’s ohana.
ST – #71 – really? Didn’t K5/KHNL telecast other sports along with football for free (from the ’70s)? Whose idea was PPV anyway?
As a non-Oceanic customer, I vote for anybody but Oceanic.
Aloha ‘Oe, Gary. Rest in heavenly peace.
One aspect of the meeting with Ben Jay was he has the vision of a UH stadium, 30,000 seats, where he doesn’t know yet, can be done – he doesn’t know yet. But he has the idea and he wants to pursue it. I can see where his major focus will be on the revenue sports as it should be as they make it possible for the non-revenue programs to continue. I know he wants to turn this around in 3 years but I think it will take a little longer than that, just because of culture here, we tend to take it slow…… He wants to change that but that in itself is a project…………..
RIP Gary
Jay has a lot of deadweight to work with. Maybe down the line we can have a SWA that is more interested in growing female sports more than waving to the cameras and pushing flowers away from her face during photo ops on senior nights. And maybe one day we can have a real marketing administrator that sees value in all types of businesses that want to support uh sports instead of one resting on his minimal just-enough-to-get-by laurels.
Anyone remember Jaime Smith of mens basketball and all he did to get the student promotions going? No one hears about the rubbish and resistance he got from the administrative dingdongs that love to say in their heads “thats too much work”. Just a tiny example of why uh fails in so many areas.
RIP, Curveball.
Namu Amida Butsu
Lost in the equation is the amount$$ UH would receive from the MWC for its share of the TV earnings if UH were to end its PPV arrangement with Oceanic T-W. So without this information, it is difficult to say whether PPV/Oceanic is the better alternative.
Love you Curveball. Always.
83. PurpleMaple:
Mountain West Conference’s new TV contract with ESPN will garner 18 million a year. Hawaii would haven gotten only 1.5 million. They would’ve also had to split up their Oceanic revenue with the rest of the conference. This is the reason BYU left. They were making significantly more through their own with their BYUTV network. They had to split those revenues with other MWC members as per conference rules.
The problem goes back 15 years ago when MWC first started. Their TV contract was sizable with ESPN. Upon renewal, ESPN drastically cut it back. TV markets in Colorado State, Wyoming, New Mexico, San Diego were too small for ESPN to see any decent ROI. Not to mention none of these teams had any national appeal beyond their borders. San Jose St and Utah St haven’t made the situation better. The current MWC TV contract reflects that.
Sorry to hear about Curveball’s passing. Condolences to the Holden family as they grieve for their loss. Rest in peace, Curveball.
Don’t forget the national tv bonus (275k and 300k) that the other members are receiving.
Is it me or are the Cleveland Browns have some problems with controlling their players this year.
Ausar Walcott (attempted murder), Armonty Bryant (DUI and felony possession) and Quentin Groves (soliciting prostitution).
ESPN should do a 30 for 30 documentary on players who run amok. I’m sure they wouldn’t have a hard time finding material.
Derek, I just hope if DSJ turns out to be the real deal and pounds the ground like no other, Chow gives him the green light and give him the majority of the carries.
Anyway, hope everyone has a great weekend. Going to be a triple digit (temperature) weekend and I still have to mow the @#$#@ lawn!
Spam me, please!
G’night! 😉
This is completely off the subject, but I was just looking through youtube videos and seen videos of all men athletic teams will be warriors and all female athletic teams will be rainbow wahine. I thought we were back with the Rainbow Warriors? Could someone please clarify this with me. I personally like the Warriors. Thanks.
The Star Advertiser’s FIGEL continues to spam even between people sending condolences for a deceased blogger.
What a devout so-called Catholic and “recovering” alcoholic.
Rest in Peace, Curveball. I will miss your friendship.
Condolences to curveball’s Ohana.
Enjoy the T-Gate at Heaven’s Gate.
Condolences to the Holden Ohana! RIP Curveball
Rest In Peace, Mr. Holden, prayers for your family and Tsaiko friends. You will be truly missed.
aloha oe brother gary!
you remain an inspiration to many!
you are now a part of God’s sunshine.
till we meet again…
Aloha, curveball. Condolences to his ‘ohana. We’ll miss you, my friend.
Thoughts and my prayers go out to the Holden ohana. Aloha ….Mr. Holden. Prayers for your soul.
I’m saddened to hear about curveball’s passing. May he rest in peace and his family find joy in his remembrance. Aloha and mahalo for the good times!
R.I.P. and aloha, curveball. Condolences to the Holden ohana.
Howzit Everybody,
Condolences to the family of Curveball. May you rest in peace along with the rest of the great Tsaiko’s. We have lost another one of the good guys.
we send our sincere and deepest sympathy condolences to Curveball’s entire family.
A-House family will continue to miss you at all the tailgates!!!!!!
May you join Florida Ted and LTUHF to watch over us at the tailgates and enjoy your view of all UH football games forever!
Aloha Curvball.
r.i.p. curveball…..
has anyone touched on season ticket sales, and semi season ticket sales….
semi season ticket sales meaning buying a package of maybe 4 games.
and with either of those purchases, in partnership with PPV, that subscriber gets a discounted rate for PPV AND PPV can be “gifted” to another person?
let’s say someone buys season tickets…he can then get season PPV at a discounted rate and either keep that for himself or “gift” it to another household….say his uncle who is in a wheelchair or doesn’t drive. here you have attendance and PPV
or someone buys a semi-season group of 4 games and with that is offered a discounted rate on maybe 2 PPV games. if it’s me, i might be enticed to go ahead and get the two discounted PPV games…
in my opinion PPV and attendance naturally work against each other. to me the solution is, is that if we need them both, then we need to find a way to have them compliment each other…i don’t know what’s really being done back home…but for starters i’ll toss this into the ring…maybe it’s an old idea, i don’t know 😛
I never had the honor of meeting Curveball in person but it’s obvious that he was a good man that touched the lives of many.
May you rest in peace in your Field of Dreams, Curveball…
little slider…represent the legacy of papa gary!
Condolence to Holden family.
Rest in Peach Curveball. Aloha.
Enjoy tail gating in the Tsaiko Chapter with Rasu Begasu, LTUHF, and Florida Ted.
So sorry to hear about Curveball.
Condolences to his family.