New Warriors arrive at camp

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

As the Teamster head of the Motion Pictures and Film industry, Leo Reed Sr. has sat at the same table with Hollywood's movers and shakers.

One of his sons, Dewey Reed, a former University of Hawai'i football player, is an assistant film editor at Sony Pictures Entertainment. His nephew, Tanoai Reed, another former Warrior, is The Rock's stunt double in the movie, "The Scorpion King."

But Leo Reed Sr. said signing a national letter of intent, which finalized his son Leo Reed Jr.'s decision to play football for the Warriors, was "better than negotiating a motion picture contract. This is great. I'm glad he's here."

Leo Reed Sr., who was raised in Hawai'i and now lives in Westlake Village, Calif., accompanied his son to yesterday's football orientation meetings at the athletic department complex. About 30 newcomers underwent physical examinations and were fitted for uniforms and equipment. The team's returning players report tomorrow, and the first practice of training camp is Thursday night at Cooke Field.

"It's nice to be back," said the elder Reed, who is considering moving back to the Islands.

"This was the best decision," said Reed Jr., an inside linebacker. "I have a lot of family here, so it's not like I'm really away from home."

Yesterday's activities resembled the first day of summer camp. Parents and coaches mingled, and the newcomers exchanged greetings and filled out documents.

"We try to keep it loose," UH associate head coach George Lumpkin said.

Several returning players — Joe Correia, Laanui Correa, Houston Ala and Jared Flint — helped welcome the first-year Warriors, giving campus tours and offering advice.

Two months ago, running back Pesefea Fiaseu was one of the recognizable students on the St. Louis School campus. He was the state's Offensive Player of the Year in football, as well as the recipient of the school's top academic honor.

But yesterday, Fiaseu was another newcomer with a "My name is . . ." tag.

"I feel like I'm a freshman in high school again," Fiaseu said. "But that's good. Everyone here is good, so it's nice to start with a clean slate."

Charlie Dutra also embraced his fresh start. More than a year ago, Dutra was a highly regarded offensive lineman at Gavilan Community College in California.

"I messed up," he said. "I didn't have enough units to transfer right out (to a four-year school). So I sat out for a year and got my classes together."

By the time he earned an associate degree, an NCAA eligibility requirement for a junior-college transfer, the football scholarship offers had vaporized.

But Gavilan's trainer knew Levi Stanley, a former UH standout defensive lineman, who recommended that Dutra contact the UH coaches. Several telephone calls led to Dutra accepting an invitation to join the Warriors as a non-scholarship player.

Dutra might be one of the best bargains on campus. For the cost of uniforms and equipment, the Warriors gain a 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackle who can bench press 225 pounds 24 times.

"I'm a little nervous because I haven't played in about a year, but I'm ready to strap it up and show what I've got," Dutra said.

Nate Ilaoa, who brings a decidedly different personal history to UH, was named as the Washington Post's Metro Player of the Year in 2000. Ilaoa, who will audition at slotback, said he has learned to deal with the expectations.

"I don't feel too much pressure," he said. "I'd rather have that than no expectations at all. It means you're capable of doing something good. I always expect to do better than what people expect me to do."

At 5-foot-10, Ilaoa easily walked unnoticed past reporters and school officials.

That wasn't the case with Leo Reed Jr.

"Everybody stopped to talk to me," he said, smiling. "I guess everybody knows who my dad is."

NOTES: Running back Afatia Thompson's collegiate career came to a quiet end this past Sunday. Thompson, who was not on the list of summer school graduates, needed to earn a bachelor's degree by Sunday to qualify for an extra season of football. Thompson is expected to graduate in December; he will remain on scholarship until he earns his degree. . . . Outside linebacker Joe Correia said he is fully recovered from off-season surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot.