Faith carries QB Withy-Allen
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen, a fifth-year senior who threw his first collegiate pass last weekend, has turned patience into a practiced skill.
Associated Press
To focus more on his Christian faith, Withy-Allen has chosen not to date or become romantically involved during the past three years.
"I'm a 22-year-old man trying to live for God," University of Hawai'i backup quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen says. The Kalaheo High graduate will be the No. 2 quarterback tomorrow against SMU.
"I don't really believe in dating without a purpose," said Withy-Allen, a 1998 graduate of Kalaheo High. "I believe intimacy should be reserved for one person. Obviously, I'm going to date before I get married. But right now, I'm not interested in getting married or getting serious, and I don't want to lead anybody on."
Withy-Allen said he has platonic friendships with a few women at his church. "I'm satisfied with my relationships like that," he said.
He said it is not easy "trying to live as a young Christian man. There are temptations for physical, you know, lust. But I'm trying to live holy. ... I try to avoid certain situations. I try not to lead a woman on. I try to make sure she knows I'm only interested in her as a friend. There's no underlying sexual tension. ... I'm a 22-year-old man trying to live for God. It can be pretty tough if you put yourself into a situation."
He insists that his Christian faith, which he embraced in February 1999, sustained him while he waited for an opportunity to earn playing time for the Warriors. Until last week's 31-6 victory over Texas-El Paso, during which he threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, he was best known as the long-haired, long-legged player who served as a human screen while UH coach June Jones signaled in plays from the sideline. He is listed as the No. 2 quarterback for tomorrow night's game against Southern Methodist.
• KICKOFF: Tomorrow at 6:05 p.m. • TV/RADIO: Live on Oceanic Digital 255 and 256 (pay per view) 6:05 p.m. Delayed on K5 at 10 p.m./Live on 1420 AM
"It's human nature to doubt yourself, especially when you come of time of trouble and time of trial," he said. "I had to battle that constantly for four years of not playing. In my mind, I was like, 'Are you good enough? Is it just a useless dream?' A lot of people, obviously, didn't think I could do it. I had to battle that almost daily. People have told my parents for years I'll never play here. People told me that straight up. That's why I say so much about my faith. The only reason I kept going was because of my faith, just reading the Bible every day."
• WHAT: WAC football, SMU (0-4, 0-0) at Hawai'i (2-1, 1-0)
To be sure, he spent a great amount of time studying Jones' run-and-shoot offense. His father also constructed a target at the family's home near Kailua Beach, giving Withy-Allen a chance to practice throwing during the offseason.
"The only thing I had control over was not quitting," he said. "There were doubts. When you're fifth-string, fourth-string every year, you never get a taste of anything. As the years kept going, I was wondering, 'Will I be known here at UH as the guy who blocks signals?' But then I was finally at peace with myself because I tried my best."
Since returning from El Paso, "I've gotten a lot less anonymous," he said. "I never realized how many people actually watched the games (on television). A lot of people said they've been following me for a while and they're glad I got my shot."
Even if he had not, Withy-Allen said, "I would feel complete. If I get an 89 percent in a class, for instance, if I knew I put my all into it and I don't get that extra 1 percent, I'm satisfied with that 'B' because I know it was all I can do. I definitely put my all into this program."
