By Cindy Luis

Sorry for the late post. Gametracker not working and radio was with baseball until late in Game 2.
Stanford is ahead 30-22, 30-23. Radio man Scott Robbs said the Warriors look flat and showing little emotion.

By Dave Reardon

If you like tall, fast receivers, you like Billy Ray Stutzmann.

Greg McMackin and Ron Lee do. UH offered the Saint Louis School junior a scholarship today, according to Stutzmann’s dad, Bill.

It was the second offer of the day for Billy Ray, who also got one from Washington State.

“Coach McMackin was really cool about it,” said Bill Stutzmann, the father. “He said he didn’t want an answer right away. He told Billy Ray to go home and think about it, talk it over with the family.”

Stutzmann is the first known UH offer for the graduating class of 2009. Last fall he was a second-team Star-Bulletin all-state selection.

He is around 6-1, 160. Having watched him run track, I think his listed 4.45 time in the 40 is legit.

Oh, and Billy Ray’s brother, Craig, is a former UH standout receiver who is now a grad assistant at UH working with … you guessed it, receivers.

By Dave Reardon

The Warriors will have a short week to prepare for their game at Boise State.

For TV purposes, the game is going to be Friday, Oct. 17 instead of Saturday, Oct. 18, commisioner Karl Benson said today.

It’s less than ideal, but UH coach Greg McMackin said he’ll deal with it.

“You have to accommodate television,” he said today when asked about playing the Broncos on the road six days after hosting Louisiana Tech.

Benson said the Warriors will also be televised at least once more on ESPN: the Cincinnati and/or Washington State games will be picked up.

Fresno State’s also a possibility, which could cause another Saturday to Friday move.

Hawaii will play its first Western Athletic Conference football game of the 2008 season at home against San Jose State on Sept. 27.

The other WAC home games will be Oct. 11 (Louisiana Tech), Oct. 25 (Nevada) and Nov. 22 (Idaho).

The conference road games are Oct. 4 (at Fresno State), Oct. 17 (at Boise State), Nov. 1 (at Utah State) and Nov. 8 (at New Mexico State).

McMackin said he would like the team to stay on the mainland between the back-to-back road games.

UH also has two nonconference road games, at Florida on Aug.30 and at Oregon State on Sept. 13. Home nonconference games are Sept. 6 (Weber State), Nov. 29 (Washington State) and Dec.6 (Cincinnati).

Sept. 20 and Nov. 15 are open dates.

By Cindy Luis

Hawaii wins Game 1 30-26. Close until 16-16. UH scored three straight to take the lead for good at 19-16. Sounds like an ILH match with UH’s Carney (Iolani) and Frank (Kamehameha) against Stanford’s Shoji (Iolani), McLachlin (Punahou) and Inafuku (Kamehameha). McLachlin had seven kills in Game 1, five kills for Clar.

By Cindy Luis

From the Statesman-Journal
Willamette University has hired Tom Shoji as its women’s volleyball coach.
Shoji, younger brother of Hawaii coach Dave Shoji, has a long career as a collegiate volleyball coach. His head coaching experience in women’s volleyball totals 24 seasons, including six years each at New Mexico State and Indiana, plus 11 years at Colorado State-Pueblo and one year at Westmar (Iowa) University.
“Tom’s nationally respected teaching skills and his proven track record of success will provide our program with a boost almost immediately,” Willamette athletic director Mark Majeski said.
“I’m kind of excited about it,” said Shoji, currently the associate athletic director-compliance and student services at UC San Diego. “I’m coming into a conference with a lot of experienced coaches. It’s going to be a challenge getting Willamette competing for that conference title in the future. That’s our ultimate goal for now.”
Willamette has been 4-22 each of the past two seasons and has lost 43 Northwest Conference matches in a row.

By Dave Reardon

Bob Wagner won’t comment, but we have confirmed that he has interviewed for the AD job.

That makes it a gang of five.

Carl Clapp, Jim Donovan, Rockne Freitas and Marilyn Moniz-Kaho’ohanohano have also met with the search committee.

***

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Dick Tomey was asked to apply for the UH AD job, but declined, deciding to stay as San Jose State football coach.

***

UH offensive lineman Aaron Kia got back to his roots today … in the swimming pool. Before becoming a great football player at Mililani High School, Kia was an outstanding swimmer. He displayed his water skill at today’s Super Games event, water polo.

“You could tell he really knew what he was doing,” UH offensive line coach Brian Smith said. “I think he scored the only goal for his team.”

The Warriors accomplished their main objective today: No one drowned.

***

Reporter and weekend anchor Rob DeMello just signed a two-year extension with KITV. Rob is one of the most experienced 25-year-olds you’ll ever meet in sports media, and he has a rare combination of smarts and heart.

***

Tom Sadler is applying for AD … at North Dakota.

This from the North Dakota alumni newsletter, courtesy of former SB sports editor Joe Edwards.

By Dave Reardon

The search committee for the new UH athletic director is scheduled to meet for the second time tonight.

The first meeting last week was organizational.

Known applicants include Keith Amemiya, interim AD Carl Clapp, Jim Donovan, Rockne Freitas, Marilyn Moniz-Kaho’ohanohano and Bob Wagner.

A UH spokesman declined to say how many applications the school had received.

By Cindy Luis

Pretty even Game 1 again. Hawaii pulled away behind Walker’s serves. It was 20-20. UH went ahead 25-20. Grgas and Walker combined on a block to end it. UH wins 30-25.

By Cindy Luis

I’d be interesting in finding out the “sources” for the rumors on VolleyTalk regarding serveral of the Wahine not returning.
Have talked to Stephanie Brandt and she said as far as she knows everyone expected to return will. And that includes Dani Mafu, Tara Hittle, Jayme Lee and herself.
Also spoke with Kari Ambrozich who said I should know better than to believe VT. Not that I did, but wanted it verified from their office.
As to the late commit on Sarah Prather from Bishop Montgomery, no letter of intent has been signed so until then Coach Shoji won’t comment.

By Dave Reardon

This information is from a release from Under Armour.

The University of Hawaii and Under Armour, Inc. today announced a multi-faceted eight-year partnership that designates Under Armour as the performance apparel and footwear outfitter for the University of Hawaii Warrior football team. In addition to providing technologically advanced performance apparel and footwear, the partnership includes Under Armour marketing rights.

The partnership is slated to begin in July. In addition to the Warriors, the brand has official outfitter relationships in The Atlantic Coast Conference, The Big 12, and The Southeastern Conference, including agreements with USC and Auburn.

“We’re thrilled to add Hawaii to the very select list of football programs we’re outfitting,” said Kevin Plank, Under Armour Chairman and CEO. “We identified UH as a team we wanted to outfit with our state-of-the-art performance apparel, uniforms and footwear, and we look forward to giving their student-athletes an advantage on field while also using the relationship to showcase our latest innovations in footwear, uniform designs, fabrics and textiles.”

The Warriors will debut their new uniforms when they take on Florida in their season opener on Aug. 30.

“Under Armour offers a quality line of football products and our players will be thrilled to wear its apparel,” coach Greg McMackin said. “Additionally, they have successfully positioned themselves as the aggressive new brand in this field, so we will benefit from having them as an apparel and footwear supplier as well as a marketing partner.”

Under Armour has incorporated coaches, facilities and former players from some of its other partnerships in its previous marketing and advertising campaigns, including “Protect This House(TM)” and “Click-Clack(TM).” Past commercials have featured coaches Steve Spurrier (South Carolina), Ralph Friedgen (University of Maryland) and Tommy Tuberville (Auburn).

“This is certainly a landmark deal for UH Athletics,” said Carl Clapp, interim athletic director. “It will provide our football student-athletes with quality game and practice products, while also providing UH with an outstanding marketing partner. The revenue that Under Armour has committed will enhance our financial situation and we are thrilled to be aligned with such an exciting and progressive company.”