Posted on: Friday, February 20, 2004

FOOTBALL
Campbell star says he's concerned, committed

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Despite turmoil surrounding the University of Colorado football program, at least one recruit from Hawai'i said he will still attend the school in the fall.

Campbell High All-State defensive lineman David Veikune is one of two Hawai'i high school players to sign binding national letters of intent to play football for the Buffaloes. The other is Waimea High running back Jordon Dizon, who could not be reached for comment yesterday.

"I'm just a little concerned," Veikune said of the CU issues, including one that led to head coach Gary Barnett being placed on administrative leave, "but it doesn't change my mind about anything."

The Boulder (Colo.) Daily Camera has speculated that assistant head coach Brian Cabral, a Saint Louis School graduate, is a candidate to be named interim head coach. Veikune said no one from the CU staff has contacted him about coaching changes.

Veikune said during his recruiting trip, players were shown the campus and athletic facilities. They also got to inquire about classes they were interested in taking. There did not attend any parties — the center of the controversy involving Colorado recruiting — but a shooting occurred when some recruits were nearby.

At the time, Veikune was at the house of his host, defensive lineman Vaka Manupuna, a Saint Louis School graduate. Veikune said the shooting happened about "a two-minute walk" from Manupuna's house. He said Colorado coaches called the host players to bring the recruits back to the hotel where they were staying. Veikune said that the incident did not discourage him from choosing Colorado.

"But that's the Mainland," Veikune said. "The atmosphere and everything is different. If you're in the right place, you shouldn't get into trouble."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.