Nephew of ex-Warrior QB Mike Stennis commits to UH
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
In an effort to boost its run-and-shoot offense, the University of Hawai'i football team secured a commitment from a speedy wide receiver from California.
Sean Stennis, a nephew of former UH quarterback Mike Stennis, has decided to enroll at UH in the fall. Stennis was used at slotback and wide receiver at Fairfax Senior High in Los Angeles last season.
In eight games, he scored 10 touchdowns and averaged 24 yards per catch. Stennis, who is 6 feet and 165 pounds, can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.
"We're very happy this worked out," said his father, Kevin Stennis, a Los Angeles district attorney.
Stennis received a scholarship offer from Colorado State, which wanted to convert him to defensive back. But Kevin Stennis said, "We felt his best position was wide receiver."
Kevin Stennis said he and his father would travel to Hawai'i to watch nearly all of Mike Stennis' home games.
"It was a great experience," Kevin Stennis said. "Mike had a great time in Hawai'i, and we had a great time when we visited him."
Kevin Stennis said his son was raised as a UH fan, with the family gathering to watch satellite telecasts of UH games.
"I really think he'll be an asset to their program," Kevin Stennis said. "He'll enjoy the experience. What better place to spend four or five years in college."
The Warriors already have allotted the 25 scholarships they are permitted to offer high school seniors and junior college transfers each year. If one of the recruits does not meet the academic requirements to play in the fall, the scholarship will be transferred to Stennis.
If a scholarship is not vacated, Stennis has agreed to pay his way to UH in the fall with the understanding he will receive a scholarship in the future. For that reason, Stennis will not sign a national letter of intent.
It is a familiar strategy for UH. Eleven starters on last year's UH team entered as walk-ons, and all eventually earned scholarships. Junior Neal Gossett, who is projected to replace departed Ashley Lelie at right wideout, has been awarded a scholarship, UH coach June Jones announced Monday.
Stennis is the latest recruit with ties to UH's past. The fathers of four Warriors, including defensive ends Houston Ala and Travis Laboy, played for UH.
Mike Stennis played for UH from 1976-1980, backing up Jeff Duva for two years and then platooning with Steve Rakhshani. Mike Stennis is a successful businessman in Los Angeles, and was a member of the Board of Trustees for the California State University system. He and former basketball great Magic Johnson are partners in a restaurant chain.
