Sports Update
NFL rookies learn
about life in fast laneThree former Hawaii prep stars attend
By Pat Bigold
a symposium to prepare them
for their new lifestyle
Star-BulletinA National Football League rookie's worst nightmares don't always crop up at training camp or in games.
Sometimes those nightmares materialize off the field in the form of human vultures who prey upon the league's nouveau riche.
They are the long-lost friends who beg for money, the gold-digging groupies, and big-mouth nightclub denizens who want to pick a pointless fight that could result in a lucrative lawsuit.
These were just some of the topics covered earlier this week as three Hawaii players and 237 other rookies participated in the 1998 NFL Rookie Symposium at the Inverness Hotel and Golf Club in Englewood, Colo.
Also discussed were how to deal with the media, taxes, league policies on substance abuse and violent crime as well as continuing education.
"Cris Carter called it the 'We-warned-you school,' " said third-round pick Olin Kreutz (Washington), who will play center for the Chicago Bears.
Kreutz, Viliami Maumau and Chris Fuamatu-Maafala -- all former St. Louis all-state picks who will play their first year in the league for different teams this fall -- reunited at the symposium.
Kreutz said they were inseparable throughout the four-day program, which went from morning until nightfall each day.
All three complained about being indoors for so many hours and having to wear long pants, polo shirts and shoes while the temperatures soared into the 90s outside.
But they said the briefings they got were worth it.
One key topic dealt with the problems of moving into a drastically higher income bracket.
"Suddenly, you hear from a bunch of friends you've never heard from," said seventh-rounder Maumau, who will play defensive line for the Carolina Panthers.
"I think, 'Hey, I didn't know we were tight.' But I already know who was there for me when I was coming up."
Kreutz said he's also been approached. But he said the NFL has simple advice on the matter.
"You just have to learn to say, 'No,' " he said.
Fuamatu-Maafala, a sixth-rounder out of Utah who will battle to become the backup to Jerome Bettis at Pittsburgh, said he hasn't been approached by anyone for money yet. But he said he has his priorities in order when it happens.
"I got to make sure my own family is taken care of before I can start helping other people," he said.
Itula Mili, the former Kahuku High and Brigham Young star, who was taken in the sixth round by the Seattle Seahawks last year, attended the 1997 symposium.
Mili said he's always enjoyed making new friends. But lately he's become wary of people on the mainland who get a little too friendly too quickly. He knows his money might have something to do with it.
Mili, who attended the symposium last year, said he's modified his attitude about the NFL dress code. He did not carry out his vow to wear raggedy island-style clothes and rubber slippers.
"I saw how some of the veterans carry themselves and I figured neatly casual is OK for me," he said. "You have to keep yourself looking good for the sake of the kids who look up to NFL players."
But Mili said he has decided firmly against developing the jewelry fetish many NFL players display.
"I could never go back to my little Laie wearing that stuff," he said.
"I tried on some of my teammates' jewelry in the mirror and I just didn't go for it."
He said not only is it a frivolous expense but it can also make an NFL player more of a target for gold-diggers.
Mili said he has not had a groupie problem yet. "I guess I'm just too ugly for that," he said with a laugh.
Kreutz said the rookies were warned about staying out late at nightclubs where groupies congregate.
"They told us to stay away from those women because they just want money," he said.
"We all got a laugh when someone asked Cris Carter, 'How you going to find the right woman?' And he said, 'Well, if she's hanging around a bar at 2 a.m., that's a pretty good hint she's not for you.' "
Maumau said he has no desire to be in the clubs.
"I'd rather be with my wife and kids," he said.
Fuamatu-Maafala said he doesn't drink and usually stays by himself when other players go nightclubbing.
"If there's a barbeque or the guys want to go shoot pool, I'll go. But I don't want to go to the nightclubs."
Fuamatu-Maafala said the rookies were warned that by being a sports celebrity in a club late at night, a person is vulnerable in many ways.
"They said you could be dancing with a girl and all of as sudden she says, 'Hey, get your hands off me,' and it becomes sexual harassment. It could be even saying the wrong thing. I think the best thing is just don't go out. You got games to play. Just go home and rest."
All three of the rookies said they were warned about fans who might try to provoke them on the street or in restaurants or clubs.
"They said you're going to get that kind of thing happening but you just have to walk away," said Kreutz.
Players with Hawaii connections who, through Thursday's games, qualify for inclusion in the weekly statistics compiled by Howe Sportsdata International: MINOR LEAGUE REPORT
Batter Team League Cl AB R H HR RBI AVG Keith Luuloa Midland Texas AA 284 57 101 11 70 .356 Darren Blakely Boise Northwest A 63 12 21 0 5 .333 Chris Truby Jackson Texas AA 117 15 35 4 20 .299 Todd Takayoshi Reno Western Ind 127 28 37 1 18 .291 Kelly Phair Stockton California A 152 29 41 2 20 .270 Ken Morimoto San Bernardino California A 47 6 12 0 2 .255 Marc McDonnell Grays Harbor Western Ind 41 2 10 0 6 .244 Jason Ross Danville Carolina A 222 22 48 4 23 .216Pitcher Team League Cl IP H BB SO W-L ERA Paul Ah Yat Carolina Southern AA 6.0 6 2 6 1-0 1.50 Kyle Kawabata Clearwater Florida State A 39.2 29 10 38 3-0 1.82 Jay Spurgeon Delmarva South Atlantic A 74.1 63 28 51 4-2 2.18 Orin Kawahara Everett Northwest A 11.2 14 5 4 0-0 3.09 Kaipo Spenser Kinston Carolina A 67.0 74 23 31 2-6 3.76 Mike Campbell Grays Harbor Western Ind 27.0 27 9 35 2-2 4.00 Andrew McNally Columbus South Atlantic A 18.0 15 10 21 1-2 4.00 Mark Johnson Portland, Me Eastern AA 71.2 67 33 67 2-6 4.52 Bobby Moore Charlotte Florida State A 47.0 56 16 29 0-2 4.79 Onan Masaoka San Antonio Texas AA 60.2 58 39 55 4-4 5.04 Mike McCutcheon Lethbridge Pioneer R 10.2 12 5 12 1-1 5.06 Tyler Yates Athletics Arizona R 4.1 4 5 2 0-0 6.23 Robby Robinson Reno Western Ind 9.1 12 4 3 0-0 9.64Keith Luuloa (Molokai HS) leads the Texas League with a .356 batting average and is third in RBIs with 70.Paul Ah Yat (Iolani/UH) has been promoted to Pittsburgh's Double A team (Carolina) in the Southern League.
Jay Spurgeon's (UH) 2.18 ERA is second best in the South Atlantic League.
The YMCA Na Opio Juniors from Hilo captured the 12-years-and-under title in the National Junior Volleyball Invitational Championships in Sacramento, Calif., yesterday. HAWAII BEAT
Hilo girls win
national crownOn the last day of play, Na Opio beat The Crush, from Camus, Calif., in straight sets and last year's champions from Laguna Beach, Calif., in three sets to reach the final. Laguna Beach then eliminated the Hawaii Volleyball Academy of Honolulu, earning another shot at the Hilo team. But Na Opio prevailed again, 15-9, 15-7, to win the title.
The Na Opio players were Ashley Hanohano, Sharnelle "Kuuipo" Hayes, Shawn Lau, Lindsey Lee, Lisha Natividad, Jazmin Paakaula, Kacey Paul, Tia Yamanaka and Marrisa You. They were coached by Rochelle Hanohano and managed by Thomas Hanohano.
KONO, AMEMIYA, NAYA AT QB CLUB: Speakers at the weekly meeting of the Honolulu Quarterback Club Monday are former Olympic weightlifter Tommy Kono, Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya and state director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Seiji Naya.
Lunch at the Pagoda Restaurant is served at 11:30 a.m. The program starts at noon. The public is invited.
Former sportscaster Les Keiter and Molokai-to-Oahu solo paddler Donna Kahakai are the Quarterback Club's Sportspersons of the Month for June.
HAWAII TEAM SPLITS SOFTBALL PAIR: Kelly Kaaihili pitched a one-hitter and struck out 13 as the Na Wahine 18-and-under softball team beat the Golden Valley Gophers, 4-0, in their opening game of the Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament at Boulder, Colo., yesterday.
The Hawaii team lost its second game to the Georgia Swat, 7-3.
Kea Yamaguchi had two hits for Na Wahine in the first game and drove in two runs in the second.
SABER LEADS PACIFIC CUP RACE: Saber, a doublehanded Wyliecat 39, held the overall lead yesterday after four days of sailing in the West Marine Pacific Cup race from San Francisco to Kaneohe Bay.
Michael Katz is the skipper and John Mellen the crew member on the Sausalito, Calif., yacht.
Among the bigger boats, Pywacket, Roy Disney's 68-foot sloop, was some 34 miles ahead of Merlin.
GOLF MARATHON AT WAILEA: Former PGA pro Larry Stubblefield had the lowest -- unreported -- score among 24 golfers who completed 100 holes on June 26 at the Wailea Blue Course to raise funds for Ka Lima O Maui, a charitable organization that helps disabled and economically disadvantaged persons.
GRAND SLAM OF GOLF TICKETS: Tickets will go on sale July 13 for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf Nov. 16-18 at the Poipu Bay Resort and Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa courses.
Masters champion Mark O'Meara and U.S. Open champ Lee Janzen will join the British Open and PGA Championship winners in the 36-hole event.
Tickets for the Monday Pro-Am and the Tuesday-Wednesday Grand Slam cost $40. Tuesday-Wednesday tickets are $20, a Monday Pro-Am ticket $10. Juniors (18 years and under) will be admitted free if accompanied by a ticket-bearing adult.
Bulletin Board is published each Saturday. Please submit items by noon the prior Friday. Mail to: Star-Bulletin Sports, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, 96802. Call: 525-8600 after 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Or fax: 525-5497. Write to sports@starbulletin.com BULLETIN BOARD
THIS WEEKEND
Basketball
3-on-3 Windward Mall Tournament: Registration deadline tomorrow for July 11-12 tournament with 10 divisions. For information and entry form, call 247-7224.
Hawaii TV Bowling: Tomorrow at Bowl-O-Drome. Qualifying 9 a.m., TV taping 12:30 p.m. Entry fee $60 (pre-pay) or $65 (walk-in). Admission free. Information: 571-0965 (pager).
Major League Camp: Registration deadline today for July 13-17 camp at Waiau District Park, 1:30-3 p.m. for 5- and 6-year-olds (fee $55) and 3:30-6:30 p.m. for 7- to 18-year-olds (fee $99). Contact: Ron or Cora Mata, 671-8285.
State Championships: Today, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hau'ula Beach Park, during Ko'olauloa Youth Athletic Club Ho'olaulea. Contact: Lori Silva, 293-1100, ext. 227, or Molly Stribling, 293-7471.
NEXT WEEK
Rainbow Summer Camp: At Rain-bow Stadium. noon-4:30 p.m., July 6-9. Ages 7-12. Limited enrollment. Fee: $130. Information: 956-6247.
Hawaii TV Bowling: July 12 at Pearl Harbor Bowling Center. Qualifying 9 a.m., TV taping 12:30 p.m. Entry fee $60 (pre-pay) or $65 (walk-in). Admission free. Information: 571-0965 (pager).
Mele 'O Ke Kai Oahu Calabash Tournament: July 10-12, various locations and harbors around island of Oahu. More than $500,000 in cash and prizes to trolling division winners and $50,000 to shoreline casting division winners. Entry fee: $500 per team of four anglers and $100 per angler for shoreline division. Contact: Joe Kimura or Mike Nelson, Ocean Sports Productions/Mele 'O Ke Kai, 839 Queen Street, Honolulu HI 96813 or call 254-3474.
Pearl City Athletic Club: Registration for boys and girls ages 6-8, Monday, July 7 and July 14, 21 and 28, 4-6 p.m., Pacheco Park. Fee $25. Birth certificate required. Coaches needed. Contact: Joe Ah Yuen, 455-9998.
Pua Melia Women's Invitational Golf Tournament: Deadline July 6 for July 23-24 tournament at Olomana Golf Course. Open to women 18 years or older with handicap index. Cost: $120 (includes two days of shared cart, practice round, tournament play and awards luncheon). Information: Carol Adarna at 395-6813.
Organization of Chinese Americans Tournament: July 8, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, Ala Wai Course. Check-in 11 a.m. Format: Three-person modified scramble. Awards banquet follows at Hee Hing Restaurant. Fee: $375 per team, $125 per person. Information: Carol Miyamura, 949-2958.
Partners for a Cure: July 9, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, Hickam Mamala Bay Course. American Diabetes Association benefit. Format: Three-person scramble. Fee: $150, includes lunch and dinner. Contact: Lisa Barnett, 521-1142.
USJF Junior National Championships: Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, July 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Blaisdell Arena. Tickets, $15 for both days or $10 per day, available at Blaisdell box office. Children under 6 free.
Junior Lifeguard Program '98: Five-day courses, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Mondays through Fridays at Kalama Beach Park, Ala Moana Beach Park, Pokai Bay Beach Park and Ehukai Beach Park. Sessions are July 6-10, July 13-17, July 20-24 and July 27-31. Class size limited to 16. For reservations and/or more information, call 732-0014 (Kalama), 638-8297 (Ehukai), 371-7120 (Pokai Bay) or 926-2704 (Ala Moana).
Molokai-to-Oahu Race: Entry deadline July 12 for Aug. 2 event, 32 miles from Kaluakoi Hotel to Maunalua Bay Beach Park. Divisions: men's open and stock; masters open and stock; women's open and stock; and 2-man team age 80-and-over and 2-man team age 79-and-under. Entry fees: $80 per individual, $160 per team. Contact: Dawson Jones, 638-8809; Mike Takahashi, 638-8208.
Men's B&C State Slowpitch Tournament: Meeting and tournament draw July 7 at Lanakila Park meeting room for July 10-12 event at Hickam Air Force Base. Entry fee of $175 must be paid at meeting. Contact: Donald Meinel, 545-5043.
Lokahi Kane's Alumni Na Wahine Tournament: July 10-12 at Lanakila Park. Contacts: Harriet Carlos, 696-6213; Gail Kaapana, 833-6737.
Leeward Suns 14-inch 40-and-over Tournament: July 11-12. Entry fee $180. Call Miah Stanley, 696-2999 (h) 551-7375 (c) 288-0724 (p), Brian Gesulga, 696-1044 (h) or 272-0733 (p) or Rolf Kaui, 676-2488.
Kapalua Junior Summer Program: Three-week session July 6-24. Ages 9 and under, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon; ages 10 and older, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-noon. Rates: $15 per day or $70 per session for 9 and under; $15 per day or $105 per session for 10 and older.sContact: Kapalua Tennis Club, 808-669-5677; fax 808-669-1069; e-mail tennis@kapaluamaui.com.
Veterans and Seniors Tournament: Entry deadline July 10 for July 18-19 event at Diamond Head Tennis Center. Men and women, ages 30 to 80. Contact: Don Andrews, 971-7150.
Wimbledon Round Robin: July 11 at Hale Koa Hotel courts. Limited to first 32 entries. Entry forms at hotel. Fee $10. Contact: 955-0555.
UH Men's Volleyball Camps: For adults: July 6-10 and July 13-17. For youth: July 7-11, July 15-18 and July 27-30. Information: 956-4505.
See expanded coverage in Saturday's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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