HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIOR FOR A DAY
INSIDE ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII FOOTBALL
My beloved Bows are now 0-10. That's right - zero wins and ten losses with two games remaining. While this is disheartening, there has never been a time in my life where I love the Bows more. I believe that if you are a true fan you need to stand with your team through the tough times and not be a fair weather chump that jumps on the bandwagon only when we run off some wins. My devotion to the University of Hawaii Football team grew ten fold this past game as I was honored to be a Rainbow Warrior for a day. This ultimate fan experience was made possible through Na Koa which is the fundraising arm for Hawaii football. I joined the team at the Outrigger Reef Hotel on the Beach where they stay overnight before every home game. At exactly 2:15 we assembled in a conference room adjacent to the pool area at the hotel. Coach Norm Chow personally introduced me and my guest to the players and coaches and then gave a brief speech about getting a win tonight. The team meal is served buffet style with the Seniors going through the line first and the freshman going last. I joined the freshman and dined on Pasta with Marinara Sauce, Grilled Chicken, Beef, Rice and Vegetables. Food was good as was the table conversation with Defensive Coordinator, Thom Kaumeyer. Thom or "TK" as he is known to the players has coached in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons. He also coached at San Diego State who we were playing on this day. Thom also enjoyed playing in the NFL with the Rams, Giants and Seahawks. Quite a resume of experience and one heck of a great guy. TK is down to earth, honest, passionate and tells it like it is. He does not pull any punches and explains things with a raspy and fiery tone. During dinner I asked TK if he had ever experienced anything like our current season in his pro or coaching career. He said "never" and then
went on to give a speech to the defense that inspired and made me want to put on a pair of pads and hit somebody. Speaking of hitting someone, one of the best Hawaii defensive players ever sat with us at dinner. His name is Al Noga. Al played for Hawaii in the 1980's and then went onto a successful career in the NFL playing for the Vikings, Redskins and Colts. Al is a humble and gentle man with a heart of gold. Probably one of the nicest people I have ever met who is associated with U.H. sports. A true gentlemen that treated me like we were old friends talking at a backyard BBQ. When I saw Al on the sidelines later this day he was immersed in the game as if he were playing. You could tell by the look in his eyes and intensity that he really wanted to be on the field helping our team. Another person that took time out of his day to make us feel special and welcome was Brad Jones, the Director of Football Administration. Brad was always smiling, engaging and making sure we were taken care of the entire day as did Head Coach Norm Chow. Norm not only introduced us to the team but also called me by name and invited me to join the team in a large huddle after dinner. The entire team gets together in the middle of a room so that everyone is touching each other. This is to symbolize that your teammate has your back. When Norm barked "Drew, get in here" I jumped in the huddle and felt blessed for being with this team at this moment in time. Gone were all thoughts about a winless season. I felt like I was part of the team and we were going to go out and kick some ass. From here we were escorted through the hotel lobby where two buses were waiting in the front along with a half dozen Honolulu Police vehicles. I felt proud to be a Rainbow Warrior as we walked towards the bus. Fans, tourists and hotel employees were saying "good luck" and "get a win". For the bus ride to the stadium, there is one bus for the offense and one for defense. Since only 64 players attend the overnight at the hotel, there is another bus that transports the remaining players to the game. That third bus miraculously appeared from nowhere when we were on the freeway. As the two buses leave the hotel the players are quiet. Real quiet. Very few words if any are spoken on the bus. We were given the front row seats on the bus next to the coaches. Great vantage point to see how the entire ride to the stadium is orchestrated. It is worthy of the President as the police escort parts the way through traffic. Blocking off every intersection prior to us arriving so that we wait at no traffic lights or make no stops. The bus rolls through Honolulu traffic like we are the only auto on the road. The police move right to left and left to right taking any opportunity to make the motorcade roll more smoothly. The two buses stay tight and roll onto the freeway where the police have already started to block traffic to make way for the team. Many fans honk and wave as they politely move to the side to allow the Warrior wagons to roll through. In a matter of minutes and what seemed to have been slow motion we arrived at the entrance to Aloha Stadium where we were greeted by about a dozen motor cycle officers who were racing on the left and right of the buses. The officers came together in formation in front of the buses as we entered the parking lot. This was cool. Sirens roaring and fans cheering as we slowly made our way to the middle of the parking lot directly in front of the Stadium box office. This is where the buses park and the Rainbow Warriors exit and walk down a large isle that leads to the stadium entrance. It is probably a 100 yard walk or more directly in the heart of fans and tailgaters. The Warrior Walk as it is called gives the fans and players a big pump up prior to the game. Since Coach Chow was on the offensive bus and I was with the defense, we came off our bus after Coach Chow. As I walked off the bus and forward to begin the Warrior walk Coach Chow yelled "Drew - get over here with me". I was honored and began the trek into Aloha Stadium amidst the team, head coach and fans. As we passed my friends at and ESPN tailgate party, they popped open two beers for me and my guest and we took a quick guzzle and then continued our Warrior Walk. The feeling now was electric as the University of Hawaii Marching Band played the theme song from Hawaii Five-O while the Rainbow Dancers and Cheerleaders all were dancing and cheering and our sides. Heck even our award winning Baton Twirler was there throwing that rod and kicking her legs into the air. It was like living in a dream for those savored minutes walking into the stadium. We walked through the corridors of Aloha Stadium which are filled with photographs of many of the events that have been held here. From the Pro Bowl to Michael Jackson it is all displayed here on the walls for everyone who has access to this area to enjoy. During the day there was a little talk about this being a special game because the players were going to wear retro uniforms that were a throwback to the 1960's. As we entered the team locker rooms everyone was excited to see the uniforms. The locker rooms at Aloha Stadium are old but clean and organized. The lockers have the players name on them and each uniform is set perfectly in place awaiting its owner for the game. The helmets are basic white with a single green stripe down the center. The jerseys are green with the Hawaii rainbow colors and the pants are white with the rainbow. The rainbow them continues on the socks and gloves. Even the shoes have a hologram that changes colors in the light. I make a comment to Al Chee who is a program sponsor with Chevron that I like his white visor with the retro rainbow logo. Al excuses himself and within a minute is back with a visor for me. Wow…it was just that kind of a day. Mahalo Al. I love the visor! As the teamed dressed we went out onto the field to take in the moment. Made our way up into the stands and to an area that we thought was the University Chancellor's party. This was a private area with a buffet and open bar but no Chancellor. I knew the host who is Bill Smith from Vacations Hawaii. Bill did not invite us but we thought we were at the Chancellors party and basically crashed the Vacations Hawaii party. Turns out the Chancellors party where we were supposed to be was on the opposite side of the stadium. Main thing is that we got to down a few cold brews before going back down into the locker room. We walked back down to the team inside the locker room just a few minutes before kick-off. The team was quiet with many players praying and reflecting. Not much talk from coaches prior to game time. Everyone is kind of in their own zone. As the word goes out to get ready to enter the stadium, the players stand and put on their helmets. A few players let out hurts of emotion but nothing like I thought it would be. I wanted to yell "lets go kick some ass" and a few other expletives as we made our way to the tunnel where we could see daylight. The fog machines were on full blast and the team and me emerged through the thick blanket of white into a cheering stadium. My heart was pumping now and I really did want to go out onto the field and play with the Warriors. Since this was not possible, I took a walk down to where the cheerleaders were and watched some acrobatics. The team assembled at the far end of the field and did the customary "Haka". The Haka is a posture type dance from New Zealand that is performed by the team. It includes vigorous movements and stamping of the feet, some tongue waving and a lot of shouts. Gets the team and fans pumped up for battle. After the Haka it was time for football. Pretty good game but we ended up losing in overtime to San Diego State. The score was 28-21. The Rainbow Warriors played well and it was awesome to be on the sidelines where you could really see, hear and feel the hits. I wanted to hit a photographer that no matter where I moved to on the sidelines he moved next to me and then asked me to move so he could take a picture. After he did this twice I gave him a look and politely told him that if he did this again his camera was going to be in a place that would be uncomfortable. I never saw the moron again. Hawaii took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. We followed the team and sat in as they stretched, rested and hydrated during the half. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches are passed out along with lots of water and juices. There was maybe five minutes of talk with the coaches and then we were back on the field for the second half. The score was tied 21-21 at the end of the fourth quarter. San Diego scored a touchdown on their first possession in overtime. Hawaii had one chance to score and was sacked for a loss on fourth down. We lost the game and now are 0-10 for the season. Does not phase me a bit. I am still proud of my team and support the Bows more than ever. My sincere thanks to Na Koa Football Club, Coach Chow and the entire staff and team. This was a very memorable day!
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| HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIOR FOR A DAY |
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| UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII FOOTBALL TEAM DINNER AT THE OUTRIGGER REEF HOTEL IN WAIKIKI |
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| DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR THOM KAUMEYER GIVES THE DEFENSE ONE LAST PEP TALK |
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| DEFENSIVE TEAM HUDDLES UP FOR A BRIEF PRAYER AFTER THE TEAM MEAL |
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| TEAM LEAVES DINNER AND WALKS THROUGH OUTRIGGER REEF HOTEL |
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| HEADING TO THE BUSES WEARING RETRO HAWAII T-SHIRTS |
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| BOARDING BUSES TO ALOHA STADIUM |
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| DEFENSE ON ONE BUS AND OFFENSE ON THE OTHER |
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| BUS #1 WITH OFFENSE FOLLOWS POLICE ESCORT WITH BUS #2 FOLLOWING |
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| STREETS AND FREEWAY ARE CLEARED FOR THE HAWAII TEAM BUSES |
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| HAWAII FANS CHEERING THE TEAMS ARRIVAL TO ALOHA STADIUM |
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| POLICE MOTORCADE LEADS US INTO THE STADIUM |
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| PARKING LOT IS PACKED WITH LOYAL HAWAII FANS |
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| THE TEAM WARRIOR WALK INTO ALOHA STADIUM |
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| WARRIOR WALK GOT THE CROWD AND ME PUMPED UP |
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| RAINBOW DANCERS, CHEERLEADERS, BAND AND BATON TWIRLER ALL GREET THE TEAM |
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| THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BAND JAMMING OUT THE THEME FROM HAWAII FIVE - 0 |
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| TEAM ENTERS THE LOCKER ROOM AND GETS GEARED UP |
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| RETRO UNIFORMS READY FOR EACH PLAYER |
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| LOCKER ROOM AT ALOHA STADIUM IS CLEAN AND ORGANIZED |
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| LOVE THOSE RETRO UNIFORMS |
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| UNIFORMS AND GEAR READY TO GO |
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| LAST MINUTE TAPING AND PAD ADJUSTMENT |
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| SUITED UP AND READY FOR BATTLE |
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| PLAY HARD IS WHAT THE BOWS DO EACH AND EVERY PLAY. THESE GUYS DO NOT GIVE UP |
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| LOCKER ROOM IS VERY QUIET PRIOR TO GAME |
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| COACHES ASSEMBLE AND DISCUSS LAST MINUTE DETAILS |
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| COACH NORM CHOW IN GAME MODE AND READY |
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| RETRO WHITE HELMETS WITH SINGLE GREEN STRIPE |
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| STARTING QUARTERBACK SEAN SCHROEDER IN DEEP THOUGHT PRIOR TO GAME |
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| LAST MINUTE BEFORE ENTERING STADIUM |
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| HOLOGRAM SHOES CHANGE COLOR IN THE LIGHT |
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| THIS IS WHAT QUARTERBACKS DO RIGHT BEFORE THE BIG GAME |
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| EVERYONE UP AND HELMETS ON |
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| GAME DAY AND THE RAINBOW WARRIORS ARE READY |
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| A LITTLE EXCITEMENT AND A FEW YELLS FROM THE PLAYERS |
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| THIS IS IT - GAME TIME AT ALOHA STADIUM |
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| HEADING FOR THE TUNNEL |
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| FOG MACHINES BLANKET THE AIR AS THE TEAM EMERGES |
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| EMERGING FROM THE TUNNEL INTO ALOHA STADIUM |
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| READY TO DO THE FAMOUS "HAKA" |
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| THE HAKA IN FULL SWING |
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| THE BAND CRANKS UP THE THEME TO HAWAII FIVE-0 AND THE FANS ARE SCREAMING |
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| BOWS GET OFF TO A GOOD START VS SAN DIEGO STATE |
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| CHEERLEADERS WENT WITH RETRO UNIFORMS TOO |
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| BLOG AUTHOR GOES WITH RETRO ALOHA SHIRT AND VISOR |
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| PROUD TO LIVE IN HAWAII AND BE PART OF WARRIOR NATION |
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| SAN DIEGO STATE POUNDS US WITH SOLID RUNNING GAME |
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| THE SKY OVER ALOHA STADIUM AT KICK OFF |
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| GREAT WEATHER ON AN 80 DEGREE PLUS NOVEMBER EVENING IN HONOLULU |
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| THOUGHT THE BEAUTIFUL SKY WAS A BLESSING FOR A BIG WIN |
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| HAWAII CHEERLEADERS REALLY CAN FLIP |
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| GETTING THE STUDENT SECTION FIRED UP |
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| WALKED ALL AROUND THE FIELD BUT STAYED MOSTLY ON SIDELINE WITH TEAM |
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| GREAT SEATS - COULD SEE, HEAR AND FEEL ALL THE BIG HITS |
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| COACH CHOW FOCUSED ON GETTING A WIN |
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| A FEW EXTRA FOOTBALLS WITH THE U.H. LOGO |
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| TEAM WAS FEELING A WIN AFTER TWO QUARTERS |
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| HAWAII LEAVES FIELD WITH 14-7 LEAD AT HALFTIME |
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| BACK INTO THE LOCKER ROOM FOR HALFTIME |
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| MANY PLAYERS STRETCH FOR THE ENTIRE HALF |
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| COACH CHOW CHECKS IN WITH THE DEFENSE AT HALFTIME |
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| LOTS OF WATER AND PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHES AT HALFTIME |
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| DEFENSE GETS READY FOR SECOND HALF |
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| DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR GOES OVER SOME PLAYS |
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| COACH KAUMEYER PUTS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE WITH GREAT VERBAGE |
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| ON THE U.H. SURFBOARD AND READY FOR THE SECOND HALF |
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| SOME GREAT FLIPS ALL IN UNISON - THE U.H. CHEERLEADERS ARE GOOD…REALLY GOOD. |
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| LOVE THE "FLYERS" WHO DO FLIPS IN THE AIR |
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| LETS GO BOWS! |
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| THE BATON TWIRLER |
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| SECOND HALF THE BOWS LET SAN DIEGO STATE BACK IN THE GAME |
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| GAME TIED AT END OF FOURTH QUARTER |
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| HAWAII FANS ARE PUMPED UP FOR OVERTIME |
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SAN DIEGO STATES SCORES IN OVERTIME AND WINS GAME
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII STAR AND NFL GREAT AL NOGA |
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| LOTS OF MEMORABILIA AND HISTORY INSIDE ALOHA STADIUM |
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| LOTS OF PRO BOWL BANNERS AND PHOTOS |
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| PRO BOWL SECTION |
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| NFL PRO BOWL HAS RICH TRADITION IN HAWAII |
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| TRIBUTES TO NFL GREATS ALL OVER THE WALLS |
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| PAINTINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND POSTERS OF ENTERTAINERS WHO HAVE PLAYED ALOHA STADIUM |
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| MICHAEL JACKSON PAINTING |
