Wildcats plan to mix business, pleasure

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

It figures that a college football team from Chicagoland would adhere to a whirlwind schedule.

"It's not that hard," said Wildcat coach Randy Walker, whose team left their Evanston, Ill., campus at 1:30 a.m. Hawai'i time. "We sat around all day. We should be fresh and ready to go."

As an energy boost, Walker delivered an animated pep talk "to kind of rev them up. I told them we're going to experience Hawai'i. But when it's time to come to work, we're going to work."

He said the weather for Tuesday's practice in Evanston was "about 38 degrees and blowing. This" — his face moistened by Halawa drizzle — "is great weather."

The trip is somewhat of a homecoming for wide receiver Randy Bass, whose fiancee is J.C. Kira, a St. Francis School graduate and former Northwestern softball catcher.

Because of Kira, "I definitely eat a lot of chicken katsu and teriyaki chicken," Bass said. "We definitely have a rice cooker that's going every night. ... J.C.'s mom usually comes down once a year. She cooks a big meal. It's all Hawai'i food."

Teammates sing Blackburn's praises

UH football teammates insist reserve linebacker Ikaika Blackburn always has impressive performances.

"That guy has a beautiful singing voice," safety Leonard Peters said. "He can sing anything you want."

"I'm the wedding singer," mused Blackburn, who has performed at teammates' weddings and their children's birthday parties.

He also is a dancer for Tihati Productions, and his musical group, Na Hoa, has regular bookings at Waikiki clubs and at the Willows Restaurant, often during the season. "It's hard to get up for practice the next day," he said.

Praising Blackburn's performance at his wedding reception, linebacker Chad Kapanui referred to his teammate as Hawai'i's Usher. "He's really talented," Kapanui said.

Blackburn said his musical interests — he plays traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music —are an extension of his college studies. As a double major in Hawaiian studies and Hawaiian language, "I want to perpetuate Hawaiian music and Hawaiian culture," he said. "I'm starting to write some Hawaiian songs."

Being fluent in Hawaiian, he said, is helpful in his renditions of traditional songs.

"A lot of people sing songs to whatever, but they don't know what they're singing about or what the song is about," he said. "They like the way it sounds. It's nice to know what you're singing about, and what's behind the whole song."

Blackburn, a former All-State linebacker at Baldwin High on Maui, probably could have played more if he attended a small college on the Mainland. As a non-scholarship player, he pays for his tuition, meals and housing.

"It's more of a pride thing to play for UH," said the 5-foot-11, 220-pound senior. "I have a lot of family members who appreciate that I play at home. Besides, it's nice to have that title: UH football player."

Assistant coach Cal Lee said Blackburn is grateful for even a limited role. "He comes to practice every day with a smile on his face," Lee said. "He's persevered. He's to the point where he's on special teams. He contributes to the whole effort. He's a kid you want around."

Moenoa, Curnan still hampered by injuries

UH coach June Jones was not optimistic that offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa and middle linebacker Ikaika Curnan will play against Northwestern. Moenoa, who is recovering from knee and hamstring injuries, did not practice yesterday. Asked what was wrong with his knee, Moenoa said, "It hurts."

Curnan, who has a sprained right ankle, participated in defensive drills yesterday, but Jones said, "I don't think Uriah and Ikaika will make it."

After an ailing player expresses his availability, Jones makes the final determination, factoring the player's practice performance. Although Curnan has lobbied to play, Jones has made the difficult choice of keeping him sidelined. "He's been our best defensive player," Jones said. "You don't think I'd want to play him? I want to play him."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.