Warriors feel impact of housing shortage
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By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Even the University of Hawai'i football team can't escape the school's housing crunch.
A shortage of available dormitory rooms will force the Warriors to live out of on-campus dance studios for the first week of next month's training camp.
Jones
UH coach June Jones said he was notified recently that there would not be enough dormitory rooms to accommodate the training-camp roster of assistant coaches, staff and 105 players.
"We have to make do," Jones said.
NCAA rules allow football teams to provide room and board during the three weeks of training camp preceding the start of the fall semester. UH opens training camp Aug. 9.
In Jones' first five UH training camps, the Warriors stayed in Gateway House, a medium-rise dormitory on Dole Street, overlooking the athletic facilities. The players were housed two to a room. But Gateway is closed for renovations.
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Jones said he was told by UH officials that there is no other dormitory with available rooms to accommodate the entire team. With meetings scheduled until the late evening, Jones wanted his players under the same roof.
UH cornerbacks Abraham Elimimian, left, and Kenny Patton are off and running during voluntary workouts.
Jones then decided to accept the athletic department's offer to convert the athletic complex's second-floor dance studios into a ward-style living area.
"We're going to put mattresses in the studios and see how it goes," Jones said.
The players will use the shower and bathroom facilities in the football locker rooms and dine in the Stan Sheriff Center.
Justin Ayat, a senior placekicker, said the players prefer living in a dormitory, but "we want to look at this in a positive way. This will give us a chance to bond as a team. That's what training camp is supposed to be about: coming together as a team."
UH officials said on-campus housing will not be a problem during the academic year. Each student-athlete on scholarship is assured of a room, although many opt to use their housing allowance to rent a place off campus.
Notes: Among the walk-ons joining the Warriors this season are Billy Tafea, a 6-foot-1, 315-pound defensive tackle who played at Farrington High and Dixie State College, and wideout Rene Melson, a former McKinley High standout.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
