Walk-on Wright getting a shot in spring practice

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Seasons change, fashions come and go, but University of Hawai'i football player Gary Wright endures.

WRIGHT

"It's been a pleasant nine years, or however long he's been here," said Rich Miano, who coaches the UH secondary. "He's been nothing but a great kid and a great student. I always tell the defensive backs, when you get children, name them after Gary Wright because he's the kind of son you want."

Wright, a Kalaheo High graduate, entered UH as a wide receiver but soon switched to cornerback. He has spent most of his time in Manoa on the scout team, helping to simulate the opposing team's defense during practices.

But this spring practice, Wright has played a featured role as an extra defensive back in passing situations.

"He's going to be a senior, and we have to find a place for him so he can have some success," Miano said. "He deserves it. He's had some adversity in his career, but he's never complained, and he keeps working hard."

Wright, who is listed as 5 feet 10 and 201 pounds, made two key plays during yesterday's full-contact scrimmage at the UH grass field. He lunged to break up a pass, then later scooped up a fumble and raced untouched for a touchdown.

"I'm getting my chance," Wright said. "As you get more reps, you get more relaxed and more confidence."

Wright still does not receive a football scholarship.

"I'm going to continue to work hard every day and continue to believe," he said. "If I'm going to get a scholarship, the Lord is going to open the door. When the coaches feel the time is right, if the time is right, then they'll give me one. Right now, I'm loving each and every day, love being on the team, and love being a walk-on because it makes me fight harder."

Wright helps pay for his tuition by working as a custodian at an elementary school.

"You have to put in your garbage time before you can get to the big time," he said. "It's humbling, but it makes me a better person to go through all of that."

• Fancy passers: Ryan Stickler, Jason Whieldon and, even, wideout Se'e Poumele played well at quarterback during yesterday's scrimmage.

Poumele, a junior, is auditioning as a run-option quarterback.

"I'm glad to be out here to help the team out," said Poumele, who played quarterback in high school before moving to wide receiver in junior college.

Stickler, who redshirted as a freshman last season, said he is adjusting to the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense. Stickler is battling for the job as starter Tim Chang's top understudy.

"I don't know the entire offense yet," Stickler said. "Timmy is so much faster than me. He reads (defenses) and he's like bam, bam, bam, (throw to the) backside. I'm still one, two, three, backside. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm coming along."

• Speed thrills: Slotback Ross Dickerson and running back Mike Bass made two of the best plays yesterday.

Dickerson made a leaping catch, corkscrewed Wright to the ground with a juke move and sprinted for a touchdown.

At 187 pounds, Dickerson weighs 13 pounds more than he did as a true freshman last fall. "But the speed training and weight training really helped," he said.

Bass, who will be a junior in the fall, also has benefitted from a strength program that increased his weight from 155 pounds to 170. On one zig-zagging run, it took three defenders to make the tackle. Bass, who used to slip while making quick cuts, appears to run with better balance.

"The training made a difference," he said. "I think it's harder to take me down. And the more time I spend in the weight room, the quicker I get."