Warriors say Elimimian should have been All-WAC

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Members of the University of Hawai'i football team reacted with surprise and disappointment after learning junior cornerback Abraham Elimimian was omitted from the Western Athletic Conference all-star teams announced yesterday.

"He should have been on it," said UH cornerback Kelvin Millhouse, who was named to the first team, along with UH strong safety Hyrum Peters.

UH coach June Jones said: "In the last seven or eight games, Abraham played the best cornerback I've seen since I've been here. It's unfortunate, but that's what happens sometimes to underclassmen."

Rich Miano, who coaches the Warrior defensive backs, called the snub "a travesty." Elimimian, who has four interceptions, is one of the Warriors' best run defenders. Against run-option teams, he defended both the perimeter runs and the flanker.

Elimimian said: "I feel disappointed. It's one of those things. That's the way life is sometimes."

Of UH defensive backs, Miano said, Elimimian "was the most consistent all year. Hyrum is deserving and Kelvin played well, but Abraham played the most consistent all year."

The 10 WAC coaches selected the all-star teams. A coach was not allowed to vote for his players.

"Sometimes coaches overlook things or don't take the voting as seriously as they should," Miano said. "Anyone who can evaluate football will tell you Abraham was the best corner in the league this year. And he played well last year. It's not like all of a sudden he came out of nowhere."

Peters, the Warriors' only repeat All-WAC selection, said the omission "is wrong, big time. Abe deserves the award. He deserves mine."

Elimimian appeared to be overshadowed by seniors Millhouse and Peters. Miano said Elimimian was hurt because he did not have impressive statistics in the beginning of the season.

"But that's because nobody was throwing to his side," Miano said.

He added: "It's too bad he didn't get the publicity he deserves and the respect he deserves. I tell these guys, 'Respect comes from your teammates and from the coaching staff. They know who the players are.' Every guy on the team will tell you Abraham was almost — if not for Travis LaBoy — our best defensive player on the team and the best cornerback in the league. His teammates understand that."