Inspiration has many faces, and this season the Hawai'i football team has been elevated by its most devoted fan.

Steven Su, who turned 12 yesterday, is in a wheelchair because of a birth injury. He had spent most of his life as a ward of the state. But this season, he has become an important member of the Warrior family.

"He's a really nice kid," defensive end Francis Maka said. "He's one of those purely innocent people. He comes into our locker room after (home) games, and it's always so nice to see him. He's always smiling. Everybody loves it when he comes around. He's our inspiration."

Ellie Reinebold, wife of defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold, is supervisor of the pediatric intensive care unit at the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children. That's where she met Steven, who lived in the hospital for nine years.

Steven lives with a family during the week, then spends the weekends with the Reinebolds. He calls them "Mom" and "Dad."

They introduced him to the players, and bring him to every home game.

"I love it," Steven said.

While living in the hospital, Steven had few opportunities to go on excursions.

"We provided an opportunity for him to get out," Jeff Reinebold said. "It's been really wonderful. It's been great for him, and it's been great for our family, too. He now has an extended family. Our players have really embraced him."

Ellie said Steven needs special medicine and treatment. Each game, Steven spends 30 minutes in the Aloha Stadium aid station.

"The people in the aid station are awesome," Ellie said. "They open their doors so we can be there for half an hour to do his thing. Then we go back out there for the game."

After the game, Jeff Reinebold brings Steven into the locker room to exchange high-fives with the players.

At the end of yesterday's practice, the players gathered to sing "Happy Birthday."

"That was nice," Steven said.

Ellie said: "He's an awesome kid. He brightens up everybody's day. He's touched so many lives in the community. He's such a bright light in everybody's life. He doesn't have a bad day. Every day is Christmas for Stevie."

VIDEO LIFE

For the Warriors, this is the season for receiving.

In addition to the $338.50 in per diem and commemorative watch for qualifying for the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl, each Warrior also received an iTouch and a Sony Camcorder. The players will receive other gifts and another $338.50 when they arrive in New Orleans, site of the Bowl Championship Series game against Georgia.

"It's a real nice present," linebacker Rustin Saole said of the camcorder. "I'm surprised it's this small. You can fit it in your pocket."

Saole took videos of defensive tackle Michael Lafaele's son.

"He's the future," Saole said.

MEMORIAL BOWL

Defensive tackle Siave Seti rejoined the team yesterday after leaving to attend his grandmother's funeral. Sulusamoa Teofilo died last week in Long Beach.

"She was a strong lady," Seti said. "I guess it was her time. It was pretty sad."

Seti met the requirements to earn a bachelor's degree and participate in last week's graduation ceremony. After receiving a replica of his diploma, he went to the airport for the flight to Southern California.

"My family wanted to come down (for the graduation), but I told them it would be better for them to stay back, and I'd meet them up in California."

Seti has suffered significant losses in his life. His father, Siave Sr., died of a heart attack in 2000.

His best friend, New Mexico State linebacker Shana Leaupepe, was killed in a drive-by shooting in July 2006.

"I've been losing a lot of people close to me," Seti said.

The past Tuesday, Lynnette Meatoga, the mother of UH defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga, died from cancer.

"This bowl game is dedicated to all of them, including Vaughn's mom," Seti said. "A lot of people on the team have lost loved ones. This bowl game is for all of them."

NO STOP SIGN

Long after quarterback Colt Brennan signed his last autograph, long after his UH teammates were ushered away by nervous campus security guards, kicker Dan Kelly remained on the soccer field, inking his signature on pictures, magazines, T-shirts and mini-helmets.

"The way I look at it, some of them have been waiting since 2 a.m.," Kelly said. "The least I can do is give up my free time to sign some autographs. It's no big deal. They're fans, and I appreciate them when they're here, especially the last two games. An hour and a half, two hours, it doesn't matter."

Kelly said he feels sorry for Brennan, who is inundated with autograph requests. One day last week, Brennan signed autographs during several sessions totaling five hours. Brennan also missed breakfast Friday because he had to sign autographs.

"If I do good, people want to talk to me," Kelly said. "For Colt, regardless of what he does, he's going to get hammered with the questions and the requests."

As a youngster, Kelly, a former high-level soccer player, remembers getting autographs from soccer standouts Alexi Lalas and Tony Meola.

"I know what it's like to get an autograph," Kelly said.

He also understands when the demand is overwhelming, as it was when he toured with a national soccer team.

"I know how it is to sign for so long you just want to go inside and take a nap," Kelly said. "I understand all of that, and I applaud Colt for being as patient as he's been."

Yesterday, most of the fans referred to Kelly as the "Iceman," a nickname that was revived after his winning field goal against Nevada. "They can call me whatever they want," he said. "They're in control of what they say."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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