Tinoisamoa Warriors' MVP
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By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Pisa Tinoisamoa, the University of Hawai'i football team's leader in tackles and momentum-turning plays, last night was named the winner of the Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award at the team banquet at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel.
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Tinoisamoa, a senior from San Diego, announced last week he had accepted an invitation to play in the 2003 Senior Bowl for college standouts. The NFL sponsors the game, and players are paid to play, thus ending a participant's amateur status.
Pisa Tinoisamoa
Lance Samuseva
Shawn Withy-Allen
Defensive tackle Lance Samuseva, a fourth-year junior from Farrington High, won the Ben Yee Most Inspirational Award.
Quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen, a fifth-year senior from Kalaheo High, was named the top scholar-athlete.
Running back Thero Mitchell (offense), linebacker Chris Brown (defense) and outside linebacker Chad Kapanui (special teams) were recognized as team captains.
Right guard Vince Manuwai (offense), safety Hyrum Peters (defense) and nickelback Keith Bhonapha (special teams) were named to the Warrior Club. Garrett Dearing (offense), Tanuvasa Moe (defense) and Gary Wright (special teams) were named the top scouts.
• Hitting the road: Today, the UH coaches begin pulling double duty — recruiting for next season and preparing to play Tulane in the ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Day.
UH's recruiting efforts are focused on California, Texas and American Samoa. In the past two years, the Warriors have signed two players from American Samoa, including defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, who was named to the Western Athletic Conference's second team.
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"We hope this is the year we'll make some more breakthroughs there," UH coach June Jones said. "It makes a lot of sense for an athlete from Samoa to come to Hawai'i. Hawai'i is closer (than Mainland schools) and usually an athlete has a relative living here."
Hawai'i linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa celabrated a sack against San Diego State Saturday night.
Jones said the Warriors have established contacts in Japan, and he is hopeful a few players from there will join UH as walk-ons next year. Jones said he would like to begin offering scholarships to athletes from Asia within the next three years.
Jones said his recruiting wish list is the same as in previous years: offensive linemen, defensive corners and defensive linemen.
He said he probably will sign one or two quarterbacks, as well as a few receivers. Punters Mat McBriar and Greg Kleidon will complete their college football eligibility after the Hawai'i Bowl, but Jones said, "We have a couple of guys on campus who can take their place." Still, he said, "We are looking at punters."
• Health report: Running back Mike Bass and strong safety Hyrum Peters are both recovering from injuries to the posterior cruciate ligaments in their right knees, but are expected to play in the Hawai'i Bowl.
Linebacker Patrick Lavar Harley has a badly sprained right hand.
Slotback Nate Ilaoa and running back Thero Mitchell are expected to undergo shoulder surgery after the Hawai'i Bowl.
• Looking back: Jones said he was pleased with the 10-3 regular season. "What can you say?" he said. "Ten isn't too shabby."
Jones said he believes that a victory over Tulane would boost the Warriors into the top-25 poll, where they were ranked for two weeks this season.
UH is ranked No. 30 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll and No. 33 in The Associated Press media poll.
