honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, June 13, 2002

78th East-West Shrine Game invites 3 Warriors

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Three University of Hawai'i football players — offensive lineman Vince Manuwai, middle linebacker Chris Brown and outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa — have accepted invitations to compete in the 78th East-West Shrine Game.

Scores of pro scouts will attend the college all-star game at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco in January.

"This is a great honor for them," UH coach June Jones said. "We hope they will go out and have great senior years. If we continue to play well and have success, I expect more of our players to play in these all-star games."

Manuwai, a Farrington High graduate, and Tinoisamoa, who was San Diego County's Player of the Year in 1998, are members of Jones' first recruiting class at UH in 1999.

Manuwai has overcome vision and hearing impairments to become one of the top linemen in UH history. Jones is predicting Manuwai will be a high-round selection in next year's National Football League draft.

Tinoisamoa was admitted to UH as a partial qualifier in September 1999 when the NCAA Clearinghouse ruled one of his high school classes did not meet core requirements. He was not allowed to play in 1999, but earned a starting job as a sophomore in 2000 and developed into one of the Warriors' best tacklers last season.

As a partial qualifier, Tinoisamoa can earn a fourth season of eligibility if he earns a bachelor's degree within four academic years. That means if Tinoisamoa receives a degree by August 2003, he will be eligible to play as a fifth-year senior in 2003.

Brown received only one scholarship offer — from UH — as a senior at Damien Memorial High. Brown, who is a single parent, started as a defensive lineman in 2000 before moving to middle linebacker last season.

He easily made the transition, becoming the Warriors' most effective run-stopper.

Brown also is one of the team's strongest players. He can bench press 225 pounds a team-high 42 times. His goal is to increase his repetitions to 45 this year.

Brown and Manuwai can each bench press 500 pounds. Brown said he will attempt a 515-pound lift next month.

"I want to do everything I can to get better," Brown said. "I like to set goals, and every time I meet one, I set another one. I'm never satisfied."