Overachieving nothing new for Sape

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Eight years ago, when he moved from American Samoa to Wahiawa to start the ninth grade, Lauvale Sape could not speak a word of English.

He learned.

Five years ago, University of Utah football coach Ron McBride told Sape he would have to get straight A's in his senior year at Leilehua High in order to bring his grades up enough to get a football scholarship.

Sape got straight A's.

Four years ago, the NCAA ruled Sape a "partial qualifier" because his SAT scores were too low, meaning he would lose a year of eligibility unless he graduated from Utah in four years.

He almost did it in 3 1/2.

Sape needs only one class in the spring term to earn his bachelor's degree from Utah and regain his fourth season of college football eligibility.

Being chosen on the Advertiser all-state team in 1996 was good, being chosen second-team All-Mountain West Conference defensive lineman this past season even though he never started a game was better, earning a fourth year was satisfying. But Sape answers quickly when asked what was best:

"My biggest goal was to graduate. My family was poor, and nobody had ever gone to college. I motivated myself to do all this."

The only negative thing, Sape says, was that his father died last December. "My dream was to fly him up here to see me graduate."

His father's death, however, "motivated me even more to get my degree" in sociology and family consumer studies, Sape said.

Even though he didn't start a game, Sape was so powerful as a backup at both nose tackle and end that conference coaches made him an all-star. He was sixth in the conference in tackles for loss with 11, including 4 1/2 sacks.

"I think I was blessed," he said. "I was big (6-2, 290) but not strong at all. The program here helped me get stronger and faster.

"I love it here, the coaches and the program," Sape said.

"I'm trying to represent my home town, family and friends as much as I can."