’Bows might go
back to Barbers Point

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

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Fred vonAppen confirmed yesterday that the University of Hawaii football team is close to making a return engagement to Barbers Point for fall camp.

"We are in the final negotiations, but we aren't there yet," the Rainbows' head coach said. "You know how things are around here. Everything takes time."

Last year, holding practice at Barbers Point saved the football program a substantial amount of money. If the Rainbows hold fall camp at Cooke Field, it forces UH to open the dorms two weeks before the fall semester begins.

VonAppen also likes practicing at the secluded military site because it keeps the players thinking only about football.

"I like that wall-to-wall football atmosphere," vonAppen said. "We want to keep the players focused and prepare the best way we can for the opener with Minnesota."

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE: Renewals for UH football tickets are in the mail for last year's season-ticket holders.

Fans will have until May 23rd to send in their renewal forms. An early sale of tickets for students, faculty and staff will last from April 26 to May 2.

"We're also going to do a direct mail thing for people who were season-ticket holders, but aren't at this time," UH marketing director Scott Harada said. "We want to try to win back some fans and sell them on Coach vonAppen's brand of football."

The general public can order their packages from June 18 to July 2.

INJURY UPDATE: Several players were injured during yesterday's spirited practice at Cooke Field.

Tight end Jimmy McClain went down with a knee injury. He remained on the field for 10 minutes while trainers sent for a golf cart to take him in for X-rays.

He heard something pop, which could mean an anterior cruciate ligament problem.

Strong safety Ron Wood and cornerback Ricky Lumford were slowed with left ankle sprains. Linebacker Brian Chapman also was sidelined with epiglotitis (a throat problem).

HAVING SOME FUN: If you have some time off over the next few days, try spending it at Cooke Field during UH's remaining spring workouts.

The friendly rivalry developing between the offense and the defense seems to be bringing out the best in everyone on the field.

"Most of the situations between the offense and the defense are competitive and that makes it fun for our players," defensive coordinator Don Lindsey said.

"I love our offense because it makes us have to be sharp, be on our toes, a lot of shifting, a lot of motion, a lot of formations. I love that. That's challenging for our players and I think it's awesome.

"The only way you're going to get better is our best players going against their best players in different situations. Hopefully, our defensive staff and schemes encourage them to get better. That's good stuff."

Now before you think Lindsey and offensive coordinator Wally English are duking it out after practice, listen to what the new kid on the block has to say.

"It's in a good spirit, not in a nasty temperament," English said. "I think everybody is doing their very best and trying hard to beat the guy across from them.

"Coach vonAppen asks for their best effort, so we're trying to give it to him every day. One day the offense wins. One day the defense wins. It's a fun thing for us, kind of like a chess match.

"We're trying to expand our package, kind of like coaching in scope and depth. And we're trying to get a lot of scope in now, looking at a lot of plays and different players."

English also is allowing quarterbacks Tim Carey and Dan Robinson to change the plays at the line of scrimmage if they see a certain defense in place.

"This is all part of the competition," English said. "I let the quarterbacks call a lot of plays today. We're with that check-with-me thing now.

"They look at the secondary coverage Coach Lindsey throws at them, then they try to call the appropriate play against that coverage they're in.

"Calling the play in the huddle is purely a guess. I want them to get up to the line of scrimmage, see the coverage, then think of a play that will beat that coverage. They are getting lots and lots better at doing just that."