In a stunning visual, Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan yesterday cleaned out his University of Hawai'i locker, loading his belongings into a large garbage bag.

"I don't need anything fancy," Brennan said, smiling.

It is that make-the-best attitude that has been a way of life — and rallying cry — for UH's most popular representative.

Brennan has used his visibility to voice concerns about the deteriorating conditions of the UH athletic facilities — a point of concern in June Jones' departure as the Warriors' head football coach.

Last year, Brennan brought attention to the situation when he listed the problems with the facilities, most famously the absence of soap in the locker-room showers.

Brennan's intended message was this: If UH can succeed with inadequate resources, imagine how much better it would be if it had improved conditions.

Instead, the athletic department issued a point-by-point criticism of his claims.

Yesterday was Brennan's last day in Hawai'i — he returned to the Mainland to train for the Senior Bowl — but he remained hopeful that UH can build on the success of a football team that unified the state en route to a berth in the Sugar Bowl.

Brennan said leaving Hawai'i at the same time Jones decided to end his tenure at UH made it "a sad day."

"But at the same time, it doesn't have to be an ending to anything," Brennan said. "It can be a step in the right direction if everything falls into place. We need the school to make the right decisions right now and focus on what's important, and giving us — the student-athletes — the best opportunities possible."

Brennan added: "I know Hawai'i will survive. But that's what Hawai'i's been doing. It's been surviving. We made it to the Sugar Bowl by surviving. Imagine if this place had better facilities. There are great people out here, people who go up and beyond the call of duty to do things for the school. That's one thing I tried to say last year."

Brennan said it was "disheartening" that speaking out did not produce immediate results.

"We tried to get things moving in the right direction, and nothing was really done by the school," Brennan said.

For his senior thesis, Brennan chose a video project in which he shot footage of the Verizon computer room, which has limited access to students, the deteriorating meeting rooms, and the condemned Cooke Field infield.

"It would shock the nation for people to see what we go through, and we made it to the Sugar Bowl," Brennan said. "Just imagine if we had the help around here and the resources to match our spirit and our competitiveness. Imagine what we could accomplish. Imagine where this school could go. We shouldn't drive by the H-1 and look at the University of Hawai'i falling apart. We should drive by and see that diamond in the rough just shooting out of Manoa. That's where Hawai'i needs to go."

Brennan said if he earns a comfortable salary in pro football, he promised to donate money to the school.

"Not just me, but all of the other players who come from Hawai'i," Brennan said. "We need to give back specifically to the sports programs.

"Right now, everybody needs help, not just sports," he added. "The Upper Campus needs help. The school needs help. There's just not enough money. I hope, as soon as possible, we can come back here and give money to the program so all of the necessary things start to happen, and the facilities and the upgrades start to happen."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.