Samoan influence prevalent on Warriors' team

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Whether by design or the result of an emphasis on recruiting more prospects with island ties, players of Samoan ancestry now represent a sizeable portion of the University of Hawai'i football roster.

Of the 93 players on the spring-practice roster, 24 are of Samoan ancestry. Nine of the 20 players signed during last month's recruiting period are Samoan.

"It's good to see the Samoan community being represented," said linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who was raised in San Diego.

Offensive guard Vincent Manuwai said UH is attractive to players of Samoan ancestry.

"If I were to go to Kentucky, I would feel out of place, being the only Samoan around," Manuwai said. "Here, Samoans have that special bond. We ask each other, 'What village (in Samoa or American Samoa) is your family from?' We call each other 'uso,' which is like, 'brother.'"

"'Uso' is a term Samoans use to unite us," Tinoisamoa said. "But on this team, I feel we're all brothers. Every player is a brother."

Tinoisamoa, a heralded high school prospect, said Hawai'i's growing Samoan population was one of the reasons he chose to sign with the Warriors.

"When people come on their recruiting trip, they feel comfortable," Tinoisamoa said. "They see how the Samoan population is growing."

Under coach June Jones, the Warriors have expanded their recruiting reach to Samoa and American Samoa.

Defensive tackle Isaak Sopoaga, who played for the College of the Canyons in California the last two years, signed with UH last month because of his long ties with assistant coach Rich Miano, who recruits in Samoa and American Samoa. Also, wide receiver Jason Haskell of Samoana High is on the UH spring roster.

"We think we're starting a pipeline down there," Miano said. "We think now we have a chance to get a few guys from Samoa every year. There are a lot of prospects down there."

In American Samoa, Haskell said, the high school football leagues are unorganized and the fields not in good shape. "Our practice field had rocks," Haskell said.

But Miano said there are a lot of talented and athletic players, so much so that Fresno State and Oregon State are recruiting heavily in American Samoa. Miano said Arizona, under former UH coaches Dick Tomey and Duane Akina, first started to recruit heavily in American Samoa. But with Tomey's resignation, Miano said, "We hope to take over."

UH has several ties in American Samoa, including former players and current coaches Falaniko Noga and Moamoa Vaeao. Also, KFVE sportscaster and former UH player Larry Goeas' father-in-law, Olo Letuli, will be coronated as a high paramount chief this month. Letuli, according to Miano, has been influential in helping UH recruit in American Samoa.

"There are a lot of prospects down there," Miano said. "We look forward to making it a regular stopover."

Second scrimmage set

UH associate head coach George Lumpkin, who is overseeing spring practice while head coach June Jones recovers from injuries suffered in a Feb. 22 car accident, said tomorrow's second scrimmage will be much like the first.

"We're looking to see if we're technically sound," Lumpkin said.

Lumpkin said the coaches want to evaluate how the players react in "game" situations during the 50-plus-play controlled scrimmage at UH's grass practice field. Practice starts at 7 a.m., with the scrimmage to begin shortly before 8.

Quarterback Jared Flint, who is recovering from surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder, is not expected to compete in the scrimmage. Medical trainers measure Flint's shoulder at 40-percent health, and say it would be too risky for him to play in full-contact drills, even if the quarterback is deemed off limits.

Linebacker Keani Alapa, who is recovering from knee surgery, also won't play. But wideout Tafiti Uso and defensive back Hyrum Peters will compete. Both did not play in last week's scrimmage because of injuries.