American Samoa, PPV, Stadium

Dave Reardon writes about the coaches, players, former players and medical professionals who left for the June Jones American Samoa Football Academy yesterday.

"I'm excited to go back home, but even more, to go back and spend some time with the young players. We hardly had any NFL players or camps. I went to one camp. I told myself I want to be in that position some day to come back and help out," said Purcell, whose father, Melila Sr., is the academy director. "Teaching the kids and telling them what I went through will be great. I want to give them the idea, 'You can do anything.' The road I took was tough, but very exciting."

Stephen Tsai profiles Reagan Mauia, who is making the trip back home.

Mauia said this three-day trip, which includes a clinic co-produced by coaches from Southern Methodist and Hawai'i, completes his life's circle. Until he was 10, Mauia lived in American Samoa, a territory in which there is no Pop Warner program and the high school football teams share a rugby field.

"I'm glad I can help," he said.

Ferd Lewis writes how 11 of 13 UH football games may be included in this year's pay-per-view package.

Brandon Masuoka has details of Aloha Stadium's $185 million overhaul, expected to be completed by 2013.

The initial stage is aimed at fixing "the health and safety issues of the stadium," according to Stadium Authority Chairman Kevin Chong Kee.

Later stages, aimed at enhancing "the spectator experience" and generating revenue, will explore adding luxury suites and several other amenities.

Saito said the project will start in March, with major work being done between the end of the NFL's 2009 Pro Bowl and the University of Hawai'i football season.

And on the heels of Fresno State's NCAA baseball championship (congratulations), along with Boise's and UH's BCS bowl appearances, Jimmy Watson of the Shreveport Times writes that the WAC is the right place for Louisiana Tech.