By Cindy Luis

Back from the mainland and vacation … thanks to all who have continued to post. Congrats to Kaufman. spoke with mom (who lost her luggage on the way back). said it was a miracle Amber was about to make any sort of jump, given the back pain she was in. Amber and winner Destinee Hooker became friends  at last year’s Olympic trials. Wade has settled into his office. First day of work was Monday (6-15). That was also the deadline for applications for associate coach. have heard nothing on who has applied. I know that Brian Beckwith, Jake Schkud and Sean Carney are all interested in a grad assistant spot but don’t know if one could be created.Haven’t seen Stephanie Ferrell  since school let out in early May. She was walking well. Hope the rehab is going well. I’ve allowed some of the more ‘controversial’ comments to be posted for the sake of discussion. I’m at a loss to explain the dislike of Shoji and where the program is. I’ve read all of the discussion on VBT as well.  the facts are:The WAC is what it is. It’s not going to change. Hawaii will never get into the Pac-10. And as long as there’s football at UH, the Wahine sports will stay in the same conference as the men.Hawaii cannot compete with the BCS schools in terms of recruiting. The money isn’t there.  The academic reputation isn’t there.the non-WAC schedule is as tough as it can be. People tend to forget that just because Hawaii wants a school to come play doesn’t mean that school wants to or can afford to. And given the economics currently it’s going to be a harder sell.The same for players. Just because Hawaii recruits you doesn’t mean you want to come. lots of factors come into play. Academics. Staying close to home and family. Island living isn’t for everyone.     

By Jason Kaneshiro

For those keeping track, UH posted a list of future nonconference games that have been finalized so far. Only the 2010 schedule has been completed. The full post can be found at http://www.hawaiiathletics.com/news/2009/6/15/FB_0615090112.aspx.

2010

Sept. 2                    USC

Sept. 11                  at Army

Sept. 18                  at Colorado

Sept. 25                  CHARLESTON SOUTHERN

Dec. 4                     UNLV

2011

Sept. 3                    COLORADO

Sept. 10                  at Washington

Sept. 17                  at UNLV

Nov. 26                  WASHINGTON STATE

2012

Sept. 1                    at USC

Sept. 8                    at Brigham Young

Sept. 22                  UNLV

2013

Aug. 31                  USC

Sept. 14                  BRIGHAM YOUNG

Nov. 30                  ARMY

2014

Sept. 13                  UNLV

Sept. 20                  at Colorado

2015

Sept. 5                    COLORADO

Oct. 3                      at UNLV

2017

Sept. 16                  at UNLV

2018

Sept. 8                    UNLV

Sept. 15                  at Army

2019

Nov. 30                  ARMY

By Cindy Luis

Three players from Hawaii have been named to the 12-member U.S. Junior National Men’s Volleyball Team that will compete at the FIVB World Championship this summer in India.Selected were libero Erik Shoji (Punahou ‘08), hitter  Brad Lawson (’Iolani ‘08) and hitter Tri Bourne (AOP ‘07). All three were members of the U.S. team that won the bronze medal last year at the World Championships.Shoji and Lawson play for Stanford and Bourne for USC.The tournanment runs from July 31 to Aug. 9.

By Jason Kaneshiro

Hawaii and USC officially announced a two-game home-and-home series and a date change for their 2010 game.
The 2010 game was moved to Thursday, Sept. 2 to accommodate ESPN, which will televise the contest. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
The Warriors and Trojans meet again on Sept. 1, 2012 in Los Angeles and Aug. 31, 2013 in Honolulu.
“I’m very pleased that we’re able to extend this series with the University of Southern California,” UH athletic director Jim Donovan said in a release. “This series is positive for us because USC has always been a perennial Top 10 team and the fact that playing in Southern California appeals to our West Coast fans and alumni and is an area we heavily recruit.”
Donovan said moving the 2010 game to Thursday gives UH extra travel days before a two-game road trip to Army and Colorado.
“In addition to being able to play on national television, which is important for our program, we’ll have extra days to prepare for the Army/Colorado road trip,” Donovan said. “We won’t run into problems about not having enough practice days due to the long flight to New York.”

Coaches’ quotes from today’s release:
Hawaii’s Greg McMackin: “We’re really excited about this series and for the opportunity to play a perennial national championship contender. It’ll be good for our fans to be able to see us play one of the top teams in the country which will be an indication of where our program is at. Also it’s an opportunity to play a West Coast team, where the travel won’t be too hard. Our fans on the mainland will get a chance to see us play in person and it’ll really help us recruiting-wise.”

USC’s Pete Carroll: “We’re excited to be able to add some more games against Hawaii to our schedule. It’s a great way for us to open our seasons in 2012 and 2013. This is a match up of two fine programs that have a history dating back nearly 80 years.
“I know our players and fans enjoy traveling to Honolulu for the game, and we get good crowd support from the many Trojan fans living in Hawaii who get to see us play. And it works out well for Hawaii coming to the Coliseum, because they have such a strong fan base in Southern California.”

By Jason Kaneshiro

Brashton Satele’s move from middle linebacker to defensive end adds to Greg McMackin’s history of shifting players to put more speed on the field.
In his first stint as defensive coordinator at Hawaii in 1999, he shifted linebacker Matt Paul to defensive end. Safety Yaphet Warren and receiver Robert Kemfort became speedy linebackers. Paul earned second-team All-WAC honors that year and Warren and Kemfort were also key figures in UH’s turnaround season.
Two years ago, Josh Leonard arrived as a heralded JUCO defensive end. He was moved inside and became an impact player at defensive tackle, landing a free-agent contract with the Houston Texans in April.
McMackin also had the foresight to turn a backup tight end into a defensive end while at Miami (Fla.). Warren Sapp went on to develop into an All-Pro defensive tackle.

By Jason Kaneshiro

Run-and-shoot pioneer and former UH assistant coach Mouse Davis announced his retirement today. Davis coached with the Warriors from 2004 to 2006 and was Jerry Glanville’s offensive coordinator at Portland State the last two seasons. His influence on the Hawaii program goes beyond the three years he spent in Manoa. He coached June Jones while at Portland State in the 1970s and current UH offensive coordinator Ron Lee sought Davis’ guidance when implementing a run-and-shoot system early in his coaching career.

UH head coach Greg McMackin’s connection with Davis goes back to his earliest coaching days in Oregon. He said he coached against Davis while at Aloha High School in the early 1970s. “He’s been a good friend for a long time,” said McMackin, who gave Davis a call when he heard the news.

Davis had stints in the NFL, CFL, USFL and arena football in more than 50 years in the business. He coached against Cal Lee’s Hawaiian Islanders in 2003 as head coach of the San Diego Riptide in arenafootball2.
The Portland State release can be found at  http://www.goviks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19300&ATCLID=3745413