 Jones critical but stable; cause of crash unknown
A man with a state full of admirers
Friends and family keep vigil
Concern for Jones spread quickly
Chang 'knew something was wrong'
KHON-TV video report in small (1.3 Mb), large (9.1 Mb) and streaming formats.
Send your best wishes and aloha to the coach.
Join a discussion on the accident's impact on the UH football program.
By Stacy Kaneshiro
and Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writers
After getting over the shock of Hawai‘i football coach June Jones’ car accident, fans said they just prayed.
"It’s tragic," Ray Phillips of East O‘ahu said at last night’s Rainbow basketball game. "He had a high status level here in Hawai‘i, so it affects a lot of people. There’s not much we can do, except pray."
Maui state Board of Education member Michael Victorino heard the report on his car radio. He met Jones when the coach was recruiting his son, Shane, to play football for the Rainbows. Shane had already signed a letter of intent to play baseball for UH. But Shane was drafted and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"We had the opportunity to meet him when he was recruiting Shane," the elder Victorino said. "He flew over with (baseball coach) Les Murakami. (Our family) became fans of Mr. Jones. We’re praying for him and his family."
Victorino said he was umpiring a high school baseball game yesterday afternoon, but all the conversations revolved around Jones. He said the fans of Maui are looking forward to September’s game against Montana in Wailuku.
"He won the hearts of the people," Victorino said. "Here on Maui, we’re excited about him because of the football game coming here. It’s the biggest thing to hit town since I don’t know what."
Honolulu dentist Russell Imanaka was extracting a patient’s tooth when he heard the news on the Perry and Price radio show.
"It’s a total shock," he said. "I’m just hoping everything goes well. Our prayers are with him.
"He’s like the savior of the UH athletic program. He set the foundation for the biggest revenue sport."
Football season ticket-holder Mike Martines was devastated by the news he also heard on his car radio.
"As soon as I heard it, I said a prayer," Martines said. "Oh, my God."
Mimi and Larry Ching, of Manoa, also football season ticket-holders, admired Jones. They also were at the UH basketball game.
"He’s such an important man, not just for UH, but for the whole state," Mimi Ching said.
Added Larry Ching: "We understand the next 48 hours are very critical, so I think the whole state is hoping he pulls through."
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