The University of Hawai'i football team's ticket-selling slogan — "There's nothing like being there!" — was a pitch lineman Reagan Mauia of San Joaquin (Calif.) Delta College could not refuse.

As a result, Mauia, who is 6 feet and 330 pounds, accepted an invitation to compete in the Warriors' training camp next month. He said he turned down scholarship offers from Louisiana Tech and Sacramento State.

"I've always wanted to play for the Warriors," said Mauia, who moved from American Samoa to California when he was 11. "I record all of their games (on cable), and I watch (the videotapes) every day, over and over."

He even watches the blowout losses to Boise State, Fresno State and Southern California.

"You can learn from watching any of their games," Mauia said. "I watch them to keep up that football mentality. I don't want to lose that feeling. I can't wait to play for them."

Mauia said he will earn an associate degree this month, fulfilling an NCAA eligibility requirement for an incoming transfer, and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. He reports to UH on Aug. 1.

At Delta, Mauia played defensive tackle as a freshman and offensive right guard last season. He was named to the 2004 All-Valley Conference first team. Mauia said he was told he can compete on either side, but his preference is to play defensive tackle. Mauia can bench press 225 pounds 35 times.

He said he chose UH because of head coach June Jones.

"I loved what coach Jones has done for all of the players from American Samoa," he said. "He's doing great things for us. His history speaks for itself."

Mauia and his wife, Rebekah, are parents to 13-month-old Reagan Jr.

In his spare time, Mauia plays chess, often challenging friends to interactive games using cell phones.

"I downloaded the chess game," he said. "My wife regrets it."

He was named after the 40th president of the United States.

"My mother was a big fan," he said. "I'm thankful she didn't name me Ronald Reagan Mauia."

BROTHERLY LOVE

Former All-Pro running back Jamal Anderson vowed to attend several UH football games this season. Last week, his younger brother, Jazen Anderson, told The Advertiser he is joining the Warriors as a running back.

Jamal Anderson, who works as a college football analyst for ABC-TV, said, "Whenever I get a break, I'm going over there to watch the Warriors."

He said he urged his younger brother to turn down offers from Utah and Arizona State. As the Atlanta Falcons' head coach, Jones selected Jamal Anderson in the fifth round of the 1994 NFL draft.

"I owe a lot to June," Anderson said. "He gave me an opportunity to play (in the NFL)."

He said former Falcon teammate Rich Miano, who now coaches the UH secondary, "is one of my best friends. I know my brother will like it there. Besides, it's Hawai'i. Who wouldn't want to go to paradise?"