Aloha Stadium lights, turf get the once over

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Last night, for the first — and only — time this summer, the University of Hawai'i football team practiced in Aloha Stadium in preparation for next week's season opener against Eastern Illinois.

UH coach June Jones said the Warriors were permitted one practice session, which they used to become acclimated to the lights and artificial turf. Cooke Field, which is closed for renovation, is UH's only on-campus field with artificial turf. The team works out twice each day at the school's grass practice field.

The Aloha Stadium visit also enabled the Warriors to work on their pregame routines.

UH ends two weeks of training camp with a three-hour practice this morning. Monday, the first day of UH's fall semester, the Warriors will practice once a day.

• Football pool: Jones cut short yesterday's afternoon practice, rewarding the players with a swimming party at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

"Once a year we usually hit the swimming pool," Jones said. "It was a good day. We were dragging a little bit. The most important thing we wanted to work on was punting, and we got that done, so we cut it short."

Well, not exactly. Jones said the Warriors would have to practice unless Justin Ayat kicked a field goal from 40 yards. Ayat's attempt was wide left, inducing a collective groan from his teammates.

The team practiced for another five minutes before Jones again summoned Ayat. Once again, his kick was wide left.

Jones then asked Nolan Miranda, a freshman walk-on from Castle High School, to give it a shot. Miranda's kick was true, triggering a wild celebration.

• Off the air: This will be the first season in more than 25 years in which a UH head coach will not have a weekly television show.

The new three-year agreement between UH and K5 does not include a show for Jones, or any other UH coach.

"It wasn't my decision," Jones said. "I liked (the show). Jim (Leahey) and I had a good time. It was a good break during the week. I thought it was positive."

In fact, Jones worked with K5 host Jim Leahey through the 2000 season. Last year, Jones' show aired on public television, with Don Robbs as the host.

The coaches show was created as a way to supplement a head coach's income. Before July 1997, the television station paid the coach. During the previous five-year deal with K5, UH was responsible for paying the coach.

Now, the money a coach would receive for a television show is included in the base pay of all new contracts for UH coaches. By tying that money into the base salary, a coach will receive higher credits for retirement income or severance pay.