Edward "Skippa" Diaz, a Hawaii high school football legend as a player and coach, died at his home in Aiea early Saturday morning.
Diaz, 70, had battled stage four gastric adenocarcinoma for four years. He was undergoing experimental treatment, said his wife, Mary Diaz.
"We were hopeful," Mary Diaz said. "But so many treatments and so much chemo took its toll. It was not until April this year that there was a sharp decline."
Diaz was an all Interscholastic League of Honoulu football player, and All-Pac 10 defensive tackle at Oregon State, and played professionally in the CFL.
He returned to Hawaii to make a big mark as a coach and educator, at Washington Intermediate, Kalani, Waialua, Mililani and most notably his alma mater, Farrington.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
Ben Jay asks for $3 million or ...
Athletic
director Ben Jay today asked University of Hawaii officials to help
lobby the state for $3 million to help keep the financially-challenged
athletic program competitive or it may have to consider a reduction in
sports, including football.
"There is
a very real possibility of football going away," Jay said under
questioning by members of the Board of Regents Committee on
Intercollegiate Athletics.
But, he
cautioned, "but even if football goes away, all the revenues that
football drives goes away and then it becomes a costlier venture for the
university."
Jay said cutting any sport was a "back pocket" possibility.
"I think,
in my mind, it has to come from the state. In part, I'm asking this
board, President (David Lassner) and the UH-Manoa leadership to support
and ask the legislature for direct for direct funding support for the
athletic program," Jay said.
Jay said
UH closed the just-completed fiscal year with a $2.1 million deficit and
projects at least a $1.5 million deficit for the current fiscal years
that ends June 30, 2015.
Jay said that was based upon "optimistic" figures and could go as high as "$2.5 million to $3 million."
Jay told
the regents, "It is our goal to try and get out of this," but said the
fiscal model UH has been operating on "is broken."
He said athletics has run at a deficit for 11 of the last 13 years.
"Not been
a matter of spending, it has really been a matter of not achieving
enough revenue to support ourselves, " Jay said. "What we have now is a
bare bones operating budget that is limping along and has hurt our
competitiveness and our ability to recruit and people want us to win. It
raises, I think the entire state, by what we do. And, I think we are
worthy of the investment."
***
Bring back Jim Donovan? [He left less than two years ago. I wonder how he's doing? Then again, I don't see football on their list of sports.]
***
Um. Let me clarify..
After
earlier in the day telling a Board of Regents committee, "there is a
very real possibility of football going away," under questioning by the
board, Jay said issued the following statement:
"My
comments at the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics' meeting were
made in order to convey a sense of urgency regarding the need to address
our current funding model. In no way was I indicating that a decision
on program reduction of any sport was under consideration. Rather, I was
suggesting that the department's financial situation required that all
possible scenarios be reviewed. Hopefully, going forward, there will be a
priority placed on discussing the future financial needs of the UH
Athletics Department. President David Lassner has expressed his support
and we'll call upon our many loyal stakeholders to help us ensure that
we remain competitive within the future landscape of intercollegiate
athletics. We owe that to our student-athletes and passionate fans."
Kainoa Ferreira
Pac-Five opened its 2014 season in record-breaking fashion on Saturday night as sophomore quarterback Kainoa Ferreira
set an Oahu high school record for passing yards in a game, finishing
with 515 and six touchdowns in a 54-37 win over King Kekaulike on Maui.
Ferreira, making his varsity debut, completed 34 of 64 passes to break the record held by former Wolfpack QB PJ Minaya by 4 yards. They are the only two Oahu players ever to top the 500-yard passing mark in a game.
Senior receiver Tsubasa Brennan fell 8 yards short of becoming the fourth player from Oahu to top 300 yards in a game, finishing with 292 yards on 19 catches and four touchdowns.
***
McKenzie Milton wasn't bad either as Mililani outscored St. Louis to spoil the return of Cal Lee and Ron Lee.
Ferreira, making his varsity debut, completed 34 of 64 passes to break the record held by former Wolfpack QB PJ Minaya by 4 yards. They are the only two Oahu players ever to top the 500-yard passing mark in a game.
Senior receiver Tsubasa Brennan fell 8 yards short of becoming the fourth player from Oahu to top 300 yards in a game, finishing with 292 yards on 19 catches and four touchdowns.
***
McKenzie Milton wasn't bad either as Mililani outscored St. Louis to spoil the return of Cal Lee and Ron Lee.
Friday, August 15, 2014
the end of World Peace?
Metta World Peace no more.
The former New York Knicks player, who is currently playing for the Chinese Basketball Association, announced that he plans to change his name to better fit his home for the season. According to English-language newspaper China Daily, World Peace has settled on a name: Panda Friend.
The former New York Knicks player, who is currently playing for the Chinese Basketball Association, announced that he plans to change his name to better fit his home for the season. According to English-language newspaper China Daily, World Peace has settled on a name: Panda Friend.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Teshya Alo
It’s always fun each summer to follow up on how some of our
previously featured athletes are doing. Many athletes head off to
tournaments and championships on the Mainland or around the world.
Case in point, the amazing Teshya Alo of Liliha, whom we have showcased several times in this column (2012 and 2013) as she’s continued to grow and succeed. The 16-year-old wrestling sensation, who is already a two-time state high school champion from Kamehameha, did it again this summer. She won her third straight national title at the ASICS/Vaughn Junior & Cadet National Championships this past week in Fargo, N.D. Alo also was named the Outstanding Wrestler of an event that bills itself as the largest wrestling tournament in the world. She also earned a spot on the ASICS Girls High School All-American Wrestling First Team for the second year in a row.
If that’s not enough, earlier in the month, Alo won a world championship title halfway around the world — in Spina, Slovakia — thus becoming the first wrestler from Hawaii to win a Cadet world championship, as well as the first wrestler from the United States to win in the 56 kilogram weight bracket. The U.S national coach, Erin Tomeo, was very impressed, as Alo finished undefeated in a bracket that is noted for being the largest — and arguably the toughest — field in the tournament.
“We are all proud and very excited for our world champion, Teshya Alo. She showed a lot of heart and determination,” the coach says.
Alo will be a junior at Kamehameha in the fall and previously has stated her goal of eventually becoming an Olympic athlete. She appears well on her way. And, as mentioned in an earlier column, Alo is also the subject of a feature documentary film done by Honolulu filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford, titled A Winning Girl, that is expected to premiere this fall at Hawaii International Film Festival.
*** [4/5/16]
Clarissa Chun and Teshya Alo are 16 years apart, but the paths that bring them to the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials speak to a spirit and determination that is as remarkable as it is shared.
The 34-year-old Chun, a two-time Olympian from Roosevelt High, and Alo, an 18-year-old Kamehameha Schools senior chasing her first Olympiad, represent the disparate ends of the spectrum at the University of Iowa this weekend, where the U.S. team is to be selected for this summer’s games in Rio de Janeiro.
Case in point, the amazing Teshya Alo of Liliha, whom we have showcased several times in this column (2012 and 2013) as she’s continued to grow and succeed. The 16-year-old wrestling sensation, who is already a two-time state high school champion from Kamehameha, did it again this summer. She won her third straight national title at the ASICS/Vaughn Junior & Cadet National Championships this past week in Fargo, N.D. Alo also was named the Outstanding Wrestler of an event that bills itself as the largest wrestling tournament in the world. She also earned a spot on the ASICS Girls High School All-American Wrestling First Team for the second year in a row.
If that’s not enough, earlier in the month, Alo won a world championship title halfway around the world — in Spina, Slovakia — thus becoming the first wrestler from Hawaii to win a Cadet world championship, as well as the first wrestler from the United States to win in the 56 kilogram weight bracket. The U.S national coach, Erin Tomeo, was very impressed, as Alo finished undefeated in a bracket that is noted for being the largest — and arguably the toughest — field in the tournament.
“We are all proud and very excited for our world champion, Teshya Alo. She showed a lot of heart and determination,” the coach says.
Alo will be a junior at Kamehameha in the fall and previously has stated her goal of eventually becoming an Olympic athlete. She appears well on her way. And, as mentioned in an earlier column, Alo is also the subject of a feature documentary film done by Honolulu filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford, titled A Winning Girl, that is expected to premiere this fall at Hawaii International Film Festival.
*** [4/5/16]
Clarissa Chun and Teshya Alo are 16 years apart, but the paths that bring them to the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials speak to a spirit and determination that is as remarkable as it is shared.
The 34-year-old Chun, a two-time Olympian from Roosevelt High, and Alo, an 18-year-old Kamehameha Schools senior chasing her first Olympiad, represent the disparate ends of the spectrum at the University of Iowa this weekend, where the U.S. team is to be selected for this summer’s games in Rio de Janeiro.
Tuesday, August 05, 2014
short memories
The new Foot Locker commercial is superb, with Charles Barkley lecturing James Harden on how “all the greats have short memories.”
Chuck, for instance, says he can’t remember throwing a guy through a window and calls himself a “pacifist.”
It isn’t easy to steal his thunder, but Scottie Pippen does, proclaiming that he’s the greatest Chicago Bulls player of all time.
Chuck, for instance, says he can’t remember throwing a guy through a window and calls himself a “pacifist.”
It isn’t easy to steal his thunder, but Scottie Pippen does, proclaiming that he’s the greatest Chicago Bulls player of all time.
Cal Lee back to work at St. Louis
Cal Lee was, in his own words, a bit tired by Friday night. When afternoon practice finished around 6 p.m., the iconic football coach had been on the field nine hours.
His brother, offensive coordinator Ron Lee, had done the same. The tanline on his face, with his sunglasses removed, told the story. He was on campus by 7 a.m. to study film of the Saint Louis-Kapolei scrimmage, which was played on Wednesday.
Exhausted? Maybe. But they both love it. Winning right away would be nice, but the Lees are steadfast about developing character, and that starts with discipline on and off the field.
"Everything they do, it makes sense. The players buy into it. They're learning. For some of them, it's going to help them to the next level. They're learning things they'll be learning at college," Cal Lee said.
Cal Lee hasn't lost a bit of his passion for teaching defensive football. Since guiding Saint Louis to 14 Prep Bowl championships and one state crown (1999), Hawaii's iconic head coach has been part of UH's glory years and even the arena football Hawaiian Islanders. Now he and brother Ron are back with the Crusaders.
"It feels good to be back," said Cal Lee, whose penchant for defensive excellence has never ceased.
For now, Saint Louis isn't deep on that side of the ball and probably won't be until the new crop of players and transfers are eligible for ILH varsity play next year. (Freshman are not permitted to play varsity football in the ILH.)
That puts the onus on the offense, which is just fine by quarterback Ryder Kuhns and wide receiver Drew Kobayashi. They're full of smiles this preseason with Ron Lee's wide-open four-wide attack in full gear.
"We're coming out flinging. What quarterback wouldn't be happy? Handing the ball off? What quarterback, and receivers, they'd rather block and stick their nose in someone's forearm? No way. They want to catch the ball and go," Ron Lee said.
His brother, offensive coordinator Ron Lee, had done the same. The tanline on his face, with his sunglasses removed, told the story. He was on campus by 7 a.m. to study film of the Saint Louis-Kapolei scrimmage, which was played on Wednesday.
Exhausted? Maybe. But they both love it. Winning right away would be nice, but the Lees are steadfast about developing character, and that starts with discipline on and off the field.
"Everything they do, it makes sense. The players buy into it. They're learning. For some of them, it's going to help them to the next level. They're learning things they'll be learning at college," Cal Lee said.
Cal Lee hasn't lost a bit of his passion for teaching defensive football. Since guiding Saint Louis to 14 Prep Bowl championships and one state crown (1999), Hawaii's iconic head coach has been part of UH's glory years and even the arena football Hawaiian Islanders. Now he and brother Ron are back with the Crusaders.
"It feels good to be back," said Cal Lee, whose penchant for defensive excellence has never ceased.
For now, Saint Louis isn't deep on that side of the ball and probably won't be until the new crop of players and transfers are eligible for ILH varsity play next year. (Freshman are not permitted to play varsity football in the ILH.)
That puts the onus on the offense, which is just fine by quarterback Ryder Kuhns and wide receiver Drew Kobayashi. They're full of smiles this preseason with Ron Lee's wide-open four-wide attack in full gear.
"We're coming out flinging. What quarterback wouldn't be happy? Handing the ball off? What quarterback, and receivers, they'd rather block and stick their nose in someone's forearm? No way. They want to catch the ball and go," Ron Lee said.
Spurs hire Becky Hammon
The San Antonio Spurs hired WNBA star Becky Hammon on Tuesday, making her the first full-time, paid female assistant on an NBA coaching staff.
Hammon, who plans to retire from the San Antonio Stars after this season, spent time working with coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs last season and made a strong impression on an organization with a history of forward-thinking moves.
During the 2001-02 season, Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Lucas brought Lisa Boyer into the team's practices and some games. Boyer, now an assistant at South Carolina, was not paid by the Cavaliers and did not travel with the team, but did work with the players and coaches that season.
Last season, Hammon attended Spurs practices, film sessions and sat behind the bench for the NBA champions at home game this season. She's been friends with Spurs teammates Tony Parker and Tim Duncan since competing in an NBA All-Star shooting competition in 2008.
"I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff," Popovich said. "Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs."
It's the latest trailblazing move for the Spurs, who hired European coaching legend Ettore Messina to join Popovich's staff earlier this summer and have been the leaders in bringing international players to the NBA for almost two decades.
Hammon, who plans to retire from the San Antonio Stars after this season, spent time working with coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs last season and made a strong impression on an organization with a history of forward-thinking moves.
During the 2001-02 season, Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Lucas brought Lisa Boyer into the team's practices and some games. Boyer, now an assistant at South Carolina, was not paid by the Cavaliers and did not travel with the team, but did work with the players and coaches that season.
Last season, Hammon attended Spurs practices, film sessions and sat behind the bench for the NBA champions at home game this season. She's been friends with Spurs teammates Tony Parker and Tim Duncan since competing in an NBA All-Star shooting competition in 2008.
"I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff," Popovich said. "Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs."
It's the latest trailblazing move for the Spurs, who hired European coaching legend Ettore Messina to join Popovich's staff earlier this summer and have been the leaders in bringing international players to the NBA for almost two decades.
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