Brian Kajiyama

Dave Reardon writes an excellent article about Brian Kajiyama, whose volunteer work for the UH football team has been a huge help.

Kajiyama, 30, is confined to the chair and can't communicate like most people because of cerebral palsy. But he has been an inspiration to the Warriors for several seasons because of what he has achieved despite his challenges.

...

"What Brian has done for us is basically fill the role of what a quality control guy would do. He puts us so far ahead of the game because he's willing to work. Sometimes he's the only guy working in the office," Reinebold said. "He breaks down tape and gets it ready for the kids when they come in. Why are we playing better defense? One more year of Jerry of course, but Brian's helping us prepare. He's an integral part of this program."

Kajiyama did such a good job the week leading up to a 44-9 victory over Eastern Illinois (the game after the Boise State loss), that Jones awarded Kajiyama a game ball.

Read the whole article. It's awesome and inspirational, plus Brian is pretty funny.

Glanville: "Brian asked me, 'Is anyone going to cover the tight end? Or do I have to go out there and do it?'"

Reinebold: "One day he told me we have to move the D-linemen next to Colt (Brennan) in the locker room, so they could at least get close enough to smell a quarterback."

Ouch! Sounds like Brian and the coaches are having a great time.

Stephen Tsai writes about the Warriors lifting weights, along with a funny anecdote about Desmond Thomas.

The highlight came from safety Desmond Thomas, who has earned the nickname "Half-Rep" because of his inability to bench press 225 pounds. Thomas is 6 feet 2 and 172 pounds.

To measure strength stamina, UH players are tested on how many times they can bench 225 pounds. Backup center Marques Kaonohi holds the team record with 42 repetitions.

In contrast, deLaura said of Thomas, "he never got 225 pounds one time. The players decided to rally around him."

With the theme song to "Rocky" blaring, teammates carried Thomas into the weight room.

Thomas then benched 225 pounds one ... two .... three ... four times.

"It was a record for him," deLaura said.

With teammates cheering, Thomas was presented with a "championship" belt.

He then was hoisted again.

"They certainly haven't been tight this week," defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said of the Warriors.

Sounds like the team is having a great time too!

Tsai also writes a profile of Kahai LaCount.

Last year, LaCount doubled as a wedge blocker on kick returns. This year, he is the starting nose tackle in the Warriors' "jumbo" defense, a short-yardage scheme.

LaCount said he is fortunate to be available for tomorrow's game. He missed the final three regular-season games after suffering a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

"I thought I'd never get to play one last time," he said. "I thought my career was done."

LaCount said he is on schedule to earn a bachelor's degree in May.

"I'm going to be the first boy from my family to graduate from college," he said. "This is the hardest thing I've ever done. There was so much reading and writing papers. I'm looking forward to finishing."

Congratulations to Kahai for getting his college degree and being able to play for one last game!

Cindy Luis writes about former ASU player Junior Ah You, as well as the current Arizona State players thinking about doing their own haka.

"All the Poly boys came together and agreed that it would be respectful to UH or to New Zealand," (Brandon) Rodd said. "We do have some culture on our team but not as much as Hawaii. And for us to perfect one, we would have needed a kahuna to help us on short notice.

"We decided it wasn't the right place or time, especially at Aloha Stadium especially against the Warriors."

Too bad. That would've been fun.

And another day brings another Colt Brennan profile. This one is from Chip Brown of the Dallas Morning News.

"We're in the worst facilities in the nation by far," Brennan said. "Six of our spring practices were in the baseball stadium on AstroTurf with no lines because our football field got flooded.

"People are real quick to take stabs at what we're doing, but if you showed up at our campus and videotaped our facilities and then did the same at Michigan or Ohio State, you'd have so much more respect for what we do."

Colt speaks the truth!