DB Wright earns scholarship
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
He is nicknamed "G. Wright the Performer" because of his singing voice, gregarious personality and King of Pop dance moves.
But defensive back Gary Wright, who is fittingly a speech major, recently was stunned into silence when he received a football scholarship from University of Hawai'i coach June Jones.
WRIGHT
"It's a blessing," said Wright, who supported himself working at McDonald's, the East-West Center and as a custodian at an elementary school. "I'd like to thank coach Jones and everybody else for believing in me."
Wright, a 1999 Kalaheo High graduate, has practiced with the first team this week in place of right cornerback Abraham Elimimian, who is suffering from a strained right calf.
Elimimian said his calf is at "80 to 85 percent" health, although "it's sore, I'm not going to lie."
If Elimimian is not available for Saturday's season opener against Appalachian State, "we have confidence in Gary Wright," said Rich Miano, who coordinates the pass defense.
Wright is one of seven fifth-year seniors. "He gets better every year," Miano said. "He works so hard. He has a 3.0 (grade-point average). He's a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I always tell my players, 'My next son is going to be named Gary Wright, and you should name your sons after him.' You couldn't ask for a better person."
The 5-foot-9 Wright has lost six pounds since last season and now weighs 199. He can run 40 yards in an electronically timed 4.48 seconds, an improvement of 0.12 from a year ago. He also has become an aggressive one-on-one defender.
"I gave it all to God and asked Him to play for me," Wright said. "Once I did that, I was able to go out there and have fun. When I play, I'm loose, not as uptight. That's the key, to go out there and have fun."
• Health report: Starting right guard Uriah Moenoa, who is recovering from a bruised right Achilles tendon, did not practice for the second consecutive day yesterday. His availability is listed as "probable," meaning there is at least a 75 percent chance he will play Saturday.
Defensive tackle Lui Fuga, who has missed 25 of 26 games the past two season because of shoulder and ankle injuries, will not play in the opener. Although Fuga has resumed practicing, the coaches believe he needs more preparation time. Fuga said he expects to be ready for the Sept. 13 road game against Southern California.
Offensive lineman Tala Esera, who did not participate in training camp after a heart murmur was detected during a physical examination, has been medically cleared to rejoin the Warriors. Esera said he will not practice until next week.
• Action Jackson: Kevin Jackson, who was filling in for injured Travis LaBoy at right defensive end, continues to play on the first team even though LaBoy is now healthy. Jackson, a fifth-year senior, is listed as the starting right end in UH's basic and pass-defense packages.
The 6-4, 245-pound Jackson increased his strength through daily weight training. He can bench press a maximum 415 pounds and lift 225 pounds 27 times. His time of 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash was one of the fastest among UH's defensive linemen.
• Matchmaking plans: Naval Academy head coach Paul Johnson, a former UH offensive coordinator, has inquired about scheduling a game against the Warriors.
"I talked to June about it, and I think he would like to play," Johnson said.
Johnson said the teams do not have compatible open dates for the next three years. "This is something we want to do in the future," Johnson said.
