That Was Fast

Colt speaks up, and the very same day KHON is on the scene, reporting that UH is installing soap dispensers! The story by Kanoa Leahey also has an interview with Brennan, who talks about other issues as well.

This story by KHON's Tina Shelton has interviews with some lawmakers who want to have a sit-down with Herman Frazier.

And this KHON story has an interview with associate AD John McNamara, doing some damage control.

Kudos to Colt for shining a light on these issues at the risk of drawing a little heat. The AP did a story on it as well, versions of which showed up in ESPN.com and SI.com. , among others. Here's an excerpt from the SI.com article.

Hawaii athletics director Herman Frazier said his $21 million annual budget barely covers the day-to-day operation of the department. Frazier said he's been working with school officials on securing more money for capital improvements.

"I think if you compare (our facilities) with some schools in the WAC, we're probably right there," Frazier said. But compared to BCS programs like Ohio State, "can we compete with them? I'm not sure we can, ever."

Despite the conditions at Manoa, Frazier pointed to the success of different UH sports teams. The football team finished 11-3 last season.

Brennan agreed, saying better facilities would take the school to another level.

"To have this success with this lack of resources says a lot about Herman Frazier, Coach (June) Jones and especially about the student-athletes," Brennan said. "You can't deny the fact that our facilities are poor."

But at least now they're getting attention.

And Stephen Tsai, whose article yesterday sparked this, has a follow-up.

Brennan's comments drew widespread response. Two companies offered yesterday to donate soap dispensers. Heide & Cook, a mechanical contractor, is willing to pay for a year's supply of liquid soap. The Honolulu Quarterback Club started a soap drive.

"I didn't speak out because I wanted to point the finger or put any people in a bad situation," Brennan said. "That was not the intent. I wanted to bring awareness to the upper campus and the people who allocate the resources to the lower campus (where the athletic department is located).

"I think upper campus really put the athletic department and faculty in the lower campus in a tough position by not implementing a plan to get us the resources and money to take all of our athletic programs to the next level."

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In NFL Warrior news, Dave Reardon has a profile of Leonard Peters as he joins the New York Jets.

The former Kahuku and University of Hawaii safety said free agency is better because he got to select where he would go. And because money is not a priority for Peters, he got what he considers a great deal with the New York Jets.

"For me, the free-agent market worked," Peters said. "I took a cut on the signing bonus, but I had people calling me, and that was better for me."

Because he was in demand compared to other free agents, Peters weighed offers from Arizona, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Tampa Bay. One of his biggest considerations in choosing the Jets is that they told him he would be the team's only new safety. He also took an instant liking to coach Eric Mangini and others on the staff.

Good luck to LP!

And the Advertiser has an article about the three Warriors in Miami Dolphins mini-camp.

"It's warm in Hawai'i, too, but today was overwhelming," said Esera, who went undrafted last weekend only to be signed by Miami, which had already drafted two of his college teammates, fellow lineman Samson Satele and fullback Reagan Mauia.

Esera practiced at right guard yesterday while Satele lined up at left guard.

Another two-a-day session will be held today and the mini-camp winds up tomorrow at the Dolphins' training facility.

Here are some video interviews with Samson Satele and Reagan Mauia from the Miami Dolphins website. They talk about playing together, the haka, some fool asks Samson if he'll wear a grass skirt, and they both talk about the origins of the "Juggernaut" nickname. They say it came from teammates, which is cool, but you know where those teammates got it from! But in the end, it doesn't matter where it came from because it's the truth! Anyway, you'll need RealPlayer to watch the video. It's filed under "5/4/2007"

And finally, from the Detroit Lions blog, here's a profile of Ikaika Alama-Francis, who is making a good impression in mini-camp.

On a day where many of the rookies are gassed from the fast-paced, high-tempo practices Head Coach Rod Marinelli and his staff bring to the table, Alama-Francis was upbeat and looking as though he had yet to go through a workout … not as though he had already been through two NFL practices.

Of course, Alama-Francis has reason to be upbeat. His new head coach (referred to by many as one of the best defensive line coaches in the business) took special time out to work with him in the morning practice.

Alama-Francis on Coach Marinelli working with him: “That’s huge. With the experience, he’s just teaching me little things to focus on. I’m just going to take those things every day and try to get better with it. He’s been there, he’s done that and I’m just going to listen and soak in as much as I can. This is going into my fourth year of football so I’m just going to listen to him, what he has to say and listen to the coaches and try to do my best.”

“Coming in here I heard so much about him; about how he’s such a great D-line coach. I was very excited to work with him. (He gave me) hands-on experience with everything: the hand movements, teaching me all these things. I think I can only grow with his teachings.”

Being the first defensive pick of this year’s draft and a second-round pick, those surrounding the team may be looking to Alama-Francis to produce … but he isn’t feeling the pressure.

Alama-Francis on the pressure of being a second-round pick: “I’m just going to continue doing what I’m doing and that’s work hard every day. I’m just going to give it whatever I can give and that’s all you can ask. I’m just going to give it 100-percent on the field and see what happens.”

Sounds like he’s going to fit in well in Detroit.

Good luck to all the Warriors trying to make NFL teams. I just hope I'm able to watch some games this upcoming season!