St. Louis graduate Rivers receives a scholarship

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

As a worker at the Ward 16 Theatres, Frank Rivers has seen his share of happy endings. Yesterday, it was his turn to experience one.

Rivers, a recent graduate of St. Louis School, received a football scholarship from the University of Hawai'i.

"It was unexpected," said Rivers, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound wide receiver.

Rivers was lifting weights in UH's Waterhouse Training Facility when he was told to see UH coach June Jones.

"Coach Jones told me the good news," Rivers said. "I was pretty shocked. It was great news. I wanted to stay here, and I was hoping something would pop up. I knew there was a slight chance it would work out. I'm very grateful."

UH assistant coach Ron Lee, who was St. Louis' offensive coordinator when Rivers was a sophomore, said Rivers has the potential to be as good as Warrior wide receiver Ashley Lelie.

"He has a great upside," Lee said of Rivers. "It's up to him to work on it. His best football is ahead of him."

Lee said Rivers can run 40 yards in under 4.6 seconds and "can tip-toe and stuff the basketball."

Rivers caught the attention of UH coaches and players while working out on campus. UH had waited until the NCAA Clearinghouse certified Rivers as eligible to play as a college freshman before making the scholarship offer.

Rivers said many schools could not wait until the approval was granted. He received offers from Utah State and Central Florida. But Rivers said he wanted to stay in Hawai'i — enough so, he was willing to pay his way to attend UH.

"He's just a great kid," Lee said.

Lee remembered when Rivers was a 5-foot-7 sophomore in high school. The next year, Lee said, Rivers "shot up like a weed."

Now, Lee said: "He'll get an opportunity. It's up to him."

Said Rivers: "This is like a dream. I'm very happy."