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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Saturday, January 5, 2002

Other sports
Palomar College linebacker commits to UH

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The search for defensive help has led the University of Hawai'i football team to a prospect who was named after a famed explorer.

Marcopolo Chavez, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker from Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif., told The Advertiser he made a verbal commitment to the UH coaches.

Chavez already has earned an associate degree, an NCAA eligibility requirement for junior-college transfers, and will have three years to play two seasons for the Warriors.

Chavez said he will visit the UH campus next week, sign a scholarship agreement and enroll for the spring semester.

"I'm really impressed with the program," said Chavez, who received offers from Southern California, San Diego State and New Mexico. Tom Craft, Palomar's coach last season, is now San Diego State's head coach.

Chavez, who watched the ESPN2 telecast of UH's 72-45 victory over Brigham Young last month, said he believed the Warriors were a better fit.

After meeting with the UH coaches and doing his own research on the school, Chavez said he opted to commit before taking a recruiting visit to Hawai'i.

Chavez, who can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds, has been told he will compete at strong-side linebacker.