Iolani preaches team concept

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

More than a half-century since his death, an Episcopal priest from England named Kenneth Augustine Bray still has a daily, spiritual impact on Iolani School.

Former Iolani coach Eddie Hamada, left, and current coach Wendell Look pose at a mural of Father Kenneth Bray, who left a lasting legacy. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

And when this year's Raiders take the field Friday against Campbell in the Division II state championship game, they again will carry with them a part of Bray's omnipresent legacy.

"It's always in the back of our minds," said junior defensive lineman Eddie Huang. "The whole 'One Team' thing goes into everything we do; it's synonymous with all of the sports programs and even the teachers preach it. We're taught not to celebrate too much, and don't taunt your opponent. Our saying is, 'Talk with your pads.'

"There's no self glory; we're all working for a greater cause."

Bray's letter — stressing the "difference between confidence and over-confidence," plus teamwork and effort — is inserted into every Iolani football playbook to this day. His concepts of "One Team" and humility were passed down to Eddie Hamada, a center on the 1945 team who became the Raiders' head coach for 27 seasons, and current coach Wendell Look, who played for Hamada from 1975 to '77 and has been at the Iolani helm the past 13 years.

"I keep a lot of it in the program, mostly what Mr. Hamada taught us," Look said. "We're always trying to perpetuate the tradition and legacies of Father Bray and Mr Hamada. But I do it in my own way, because to try to step into the shoes of those two guys would be impossible."

Hamada, 76, still speaks in similar reverent tones when recalling memories of Bray.

"If every coach were like Father Bray, this world would be a better place," Hamada said. "His philosophy was 'One Team,' which means everybody is important, down to the last player. In those days, there was very little substitution in the games, so it was important to make everybody still feel like they were part of the team.

"Otherwise, the guys who don't play will say, 'Ah, to hell with it.' "

Bray's grueling practices and strict adherence to rules alone presented a challenge. Hamada said school would end at 3 p.m., and by 3:15, the entire team would be dressed in full gear and waiting on the bleachers when Bray arrived.

"Sometimes we would only use a few plays the whole practice, because he wasn't satisfied with the way we ran them," said Hamada, who was a 5-foot-7, 145-pound all-star center. "Even if I snapped the ball a little too low, he would make me do it again. He demanded perfection, and everybody — from the backs to the ends to the tackles — had to be involved."

Bray's high standards helped undersized and undermanned Iolani win Interscholastic League of Honolulu championships in 1939, 1940 and 1950.

"We were small in stature and small in numbers," Hamada said, "but we were always in shape."

Bray's emphasis, however, was not so much on winning. He was set on building character, not trophy cases. Examples of his doctrine can be found in excerpts of that famous letter:

"There is a vast difference between 'confidence' and 'overconfidence.' The first is as good as the second is deadly. Overconfidence is not earned, anybody can have it for nothing. It is cheap. ... Over-confidence is like dry rot. It eats into your character, breeds alibis, leads to laying blame on others. It destroys teamwork, it crumbles under strain because it lacks a solid foundation.

"Confidence is different. You have to earn that. It demands work. It comes from knowing you have practiced faithfully, that you know the squad has improved, that the team spirit is growing stronger.

"... You are not individuals greedy for individual honor, but members of a team eager for team achievement. ..."

Cradle of coaches

As strict and stern as he was, Bray also expressed love for his players and got love in return. His letter was addressed, "My Dear Boys," and signed, "Your friend, Rev. Kenneth A. Bray."

Otherwise, nobody gets it.

"His attitude was, 'Why are you such a great star, when the guy who blocked for you is just as important?' " Hamada said. "It was evident right away that he treated everybody alike. Everybody worked hard. He felt the only way we could succeed was if everyone believed in each other, and that wouldn't happen if he catered to stars.

"What every coach talks about and aspires to do now, that's what he actually did."

Hamada was not the only one inspired to follow in Bray's coaching footsteps. Several of Bray's other players became head football coaches, including Masa Yonamine (Waipahu, 1954 to '70), Joe Kahahawai (1959 to '64, '71 to '79), Larry Ginoza (Wai'anae 1965 to '84) and Charlie Ka'aihue (McKinley 1988 to '90).

Another of Bray's players, Merv Lopes, became Chaminade University's head basketball coach and guided the Silverswords to a historic upset over Virginia in 1982.

Even after Bray's death in 1953, his influence continued in the Raiders' program and more future head coaches besides Look sprouted out of it, including Hugh Yoshida (Leilehua, 1970 to '86), Keith Morioka (1978 to '84), Cass Ishitani (Leilehua, 1995 to '01) and Dean Nakagawa (Damien, 2002 to present).

It's no wonder, then, that terms like "One Team" are now spread throughout O'ahu fields.

Rewarding praise

Of course, Bray's concepts were born out of a different era and face challenges in today's world of Terrell Owens, Ron Artest and video games promoting images of showboating and trash talk.

But Look said Bray's virtual presence helps him instill those age-old teachings even in modern times.

"Society has changed, but values and character-building are still important to today's student-athlete," Look said. "The kids nowdays still want lessons in life, and teaching them the proper way goes beyond athletics. We're trying to teach them to be good people, and if you preach it enough, the majority of them get it. I think it shows in the team we have now."

Look said even though Iolani upset Saint Louis for the first time in 11 years in October, the most rewarding praise the Raiders received this season came from Hawai'i Prep senior Michael Kopra after Saturday's 17-7 victory.

"He said he really enjoyed playing against us because we played hard and with class — we weren't cocky," Look said. "For an opponent to say that after a loss, that's the greatest compliment anyone can give our team. It made me feel good about our program and our philosophy, about what we're doing."

Somewhere, it probably made Father Bray proud, too.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.

• • •