Posted on: Friday, April 11, 2003

Linebacker driven to succeed this spring

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Is it any wonder University of Hawai'i football player Lincoln Manutai has a natural-born drive?

"I was born in a Lincoln Mercury car," Manutai said. "My mom was being rushed to the hospital, and I guess I came out early. She named me after the car."

Manutai, a junior middle linebacker, still hasn't slowed down. After seven impressive practices in spring football training, Manutai has been assured a spot on the Warriors' 2003 roster.

"No question about that," said associate head coach George Lumpkin, who coaches the UH linebackers.

Manutai took the scenic route to Manoa. As a senior at Kahuku High, Manutai did not earn a qualifying score on the SAT to play as an NCAA freshman.

He attended San Bernardino (Calif.) Valley College for two years, earning an associate degree last December. With a scholarship offer from a Division I-AA team in the East, Manutai asked his father for advice.

"He told me to come home," Manutai said. "I hopped on the plane the next day and I was here."

UH did not have an available scholarship. But Manutai used money from his parents and a grant to pay for his tuition, books, room and board this semester.

"He's doing great for a guy who wasn't here in the fall and is new to our defense," Lumpkin said. "He's a very talented linebacker, a well-balanced guy, and he seems to be very intelligent. I think he has a chance to play a lot of football for us."

Lumpkin said the remaining eight practices of the spring will determine Manutai's place on the depth chart. Lumpkin said Manutai is listed "third or fourth" behind Chad Kalilimoku and Watson Ho'ohuli.

"We need to see him more in action, see how he gets off the blocks," Lumpkin said.

So far, Manutai has adjusted to other aspects of college life. At each home volleyball match, Manutai and teammates Isaac Sopoaga and Orlando Wong lead the cheers from the Stan Sheriff Center's nose-bleed seats.

They practice their routines in room 1205 of the Wainani dormitory, then show up after the match's first game, equipped with signs and UH flags.

"It's all about supporting your school," Manutai said.