WARRIORS NOTEBOOK
Wind, chill greet UH team in Reno
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
RENO, Nev. — To understand how cold it has gotten here, all you need to know is that for the first time in his 11 years of broadcasting University of Hawai'i football games, KKEA radio sportscaster Robert Kekaula said he won't wear his trademark short pants to do a game.
Rain or shine, Kekaula has made it a point of pride over the years to wear shorts at UH games, even when snow threatened.
But when temperatures dipped into the low 40s at yesterday's practice and the wind chill factor plummeted into the 20s, Kekaula said, "That's it. I'm definitely wearing jeans for the game. ... and maybe a sweater, too."
A spokesman at the National Weather Service office in Reno said the temperature at today's 10:05 a.m. (Hawai'i Time) kickoff should be about 41 degrees with a high of 48 expected before game's end.
Rain is predicted for the morning with a slight chance of a "dusting of snow," according to the NWS.
At yesterday's practice at Reno High, head coach June Jones donned headgear and a leather jacket. Several assistant coaches and players wore knit caps. "It was sunny and then it changed all of a sudden and got real cold," said defensive backs coach Rich Miano, who wore sunglasses and a parka with a hood.
"That's about as cold as I've been for a while," said defensive line coach Vantz Singletary,
Warming up: The Warriors traveled with four extra trunks on this trip to accommodate the cold and weather gear, according to an equipment department staffer.
Heavy parkas, long-sleeve shirts, gloves and lycra clothing were among the items added for this trip. The school also will rent heaters, staffers said.
Nevada players indicted: Two Nevada regulars, Chris DeWayne Handy, a starting cornerback, and running back Anthony "B.J." Mitchell, the team's second-leading rusher, were indicted on felony battery charges and have been suspended by the athletic department, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported yesterday.
Nevada coach Chris Tormey told The Advertiser they will not play today.
They are accused in the beating of a Reno man at a gathering near the university, the Gazette-Journal said.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.
