Wednesday, October 21, 1998

Barry kick-starts
Seasiders’ ‘building plan’

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

This was supposed to be Year One in a three-year building plan for Bob Barry. But the Brigham Young-Hawaii men's soccer coach doesn't mind that he's ahead of schedule.

The Seasiders are 5-3 in their first season at the NCAA Division II level. That's two victories more than in the two previous seasons combined.

"I'm really enjoying this season," Barry said. "We've been very successful compared to what BYUH has had in the past. But what's more exciting is how excited the kids are. They and the administration are excited about developing the program out here.

"I thought it would take more than a year for these players to get my type of system down. They get lost sometimes, but they've had bursts of outstanding play."

Winning wasn't the priority; building a competitive team was. The Seasiders have managed to do both under Barry, who won five state boys' soccer titles at Iolani School during a 28-year tenure.

Of his 21 players, 12 are new to the school, including 11 freshmen. The other is a junior and the team's best athlete -- striking midfielder Jeremy Yorgason, who has scored seven of the team's 12 goals.

"I wasn't hired until January, so I got a late start on recruiting and scheduling," Barry said. "I'm working on the '99 schedule right now, hoping to make it as strong as possible.

"I think the potential of this program is unlimited."

Barry's best recruiting tool is the Mormon Church. Since BYU-Provo doesn't have a collegiate soccer team, the opportunity is available at Laie.

"It's an advantage," Barry said. "Twenty of my 21 players are LDS (belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). It's also a disadvantage in that the missionary situation is new to me and I have to work that into my recruiting.

"But I love it. The players are working hard. They were unhappy with our last road trip when they went 2-2. The expectations are that much higher now for the players."

Barry spent two years as a college coach prior to taking over at BYUH. He went to the University of Massachusetts in 1984 and to Richmond (Va.) two years ago.

"Richmond whet my appetite for the college game," Barry said. "I wanted the challenge. I was very impressed with (BYUH athletic director) Ken Wagner and his attitude toward the program. The administration wants the program to go to another level."

Barry's biggest challenge is commuting. He lives in Kaneohe, teaches French at Iolani, then makes the drive to Laie. He arrives about the time practice starts.

"I get there at 5 and the guys are already warmed up and ready to go," he said. "The tone was set in the preseason when I didn't have to get to Iolani."

Barry would like to see his schedule increase to at least 13 matches next season as men's soccer becomes more of an entity in the Pacific West Conference. The Seasiders finish their 11-match schedule with two against Hawaii Pacific (Saturday and Oct. 31) and one against Humbolt State (Nov. 7).

"I'd be happy with at least one victory in our next three games," Barry said. "If we beat HPU again at least once, we'll have the bragging rights for Hawaii. But if we win at least two, we'll stay over .500. That would be a real statement."

FIVE-STAR CANCELS: Five-Star Sports AAU, a traveling all-star men's basketball team from San Francisco, has pulled out of its four-game exhibition series in mid-November with Hawaii's four NCAA Division II teams.

It leaves Hawaii-Hilo, BYU-Hawaii, Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific scrambling to find a suitable opponent prior to the opening of the regular season.

STILL THE ONE: The BYU-Hawaii women's volleyball team was the unanimous No. 1 pick in the NCAA Division II coaches poll for the sixth consecutive week.

The Seasiders (17-0) received all 24 first-place votes. Hawaii Pacific (18-1), which has won 14 in a row since its loss to BYUH, remained at No. 6.

BYUH is at Hawaii-Hilo tonight and tomorrow. The Vulcans host the Sea Warriors on Saturday and Sunday.