Yo! Warriors need to stop Humphery
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The friendliest greeting — "Yo" — is an unkind reminder for University of Montana football opponents.
University of Montana photo
"Yo," Montana coach Joe Glenn said of Yohance Humphery, "is the best running back in the history of our school."
Montana averaged 35.8 points last year when Yohance Humphery was in the lineup, and 20.3 when he was out.
Yo Mania has energized Missoula, Mont., where Humphery is the brightest star in the Big Sky. Maui fans will get an up-close-and-personal view when Hawai'i plays host to Montana tomorrow at War Memorial Stadium.
NCAA rules prohibit businesses from using a student-athlete's name or likeness to sell products, but at the campus bookstore, yo-yos marked with "21" — Humphery's jersey number — are as popular as CliffsNotes.
"It must be a coincidence that yo-yos with '21' on them are big sellers," Glenn said.
"That's cool," Humphery said. "Whatever brings in the money for the school. It's definitely an honor to have something with your number on it."
But the hype comes with one string attached. Humphery prefers to be known as Yohance (pronounced Yoe-Hawn-Say), chosen by his parents from a book of African names.
"A lot of people know how to pronounce it or take the time to learn how to pronounce it," Humphery said. "Sometimes, it gets to me, but what can you do?"
"Yohance" translates to "God's gift," although Humphery likes to say, "I think I'm my parents' gift from God."
Those named Yohance, a reference book said, "are quick and fluent in your expression" — an apt description for Humphery's football skills.
Humphery is a cocktail of speed, power and perseverance. "He's a non-stop guy," Glenn said.
It was a trait Humphery learned from his father while growing up in Eagle River, Alaska., a suburb of Anchorage.
"Ever since I was 10 years old and playing football, my Pops told me never to stop my legs, to keep it coming," Humphery recalled. "It's been an inspiration to me."
He appeared to be running in place when Montana, a Division I-AA school, was one of the few schools to offer him a football scholarship. The thing was, the Grizzlies wanted Humphery, a running back in high school, to play defensive back.
But in training camp in 1998, he was used as a running back on the scout team. Humphery was so effective, he never returned to defense.
Humphery was named the Grizzlies top freshman in 1998, and he ran for 1,277 yards as a sophomore. Last year, despite missing three games because of an injury, he rushed for 883 yards in eight games.
"When he was out, our production went down," Glenn said, noting Montana averaged 35.8 points when Humphery played and 20.3 points when he was injured.
"It all comes back to my Pops and the advice he gave me," Humphery said.
On Mondays, it's Humphery's turn to offer guidance. Humphery, who is majoring in social work, has volunteered to serve as a Big Brother.
"Next to football," he said, "I enjoy working with kids."
