Hawaii softball coach Bob Coolen hopes to become a familiar figure at local high school fields once again this winter, if the NCAA will let him. Coolen pushing for
softball exemptionBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comThe NCAA's recruiting calendar for softball restricts Coolen and other Division I coaches from attending high school games during the winter, when Hawaii's prep softball teams are playing in preseason tournaments and beginning their regular seasons.
But Western Athletic Conference officials submitted a proposal to the NCAA earlier this month calling for a Hawaii exemption to the rule, making Hawaii high schoolers accessible to coaches during the winter season.
"I don't know if it's a big deal on the mainland, but it's a real big deal for me and our program to go out into the community and let these kids know that we are interested, not just by word of mouth, but by being visible," Coolen said.
The recruiting calendar for softball designates a six-week period from November to January as a "quiet period" during which coaches are not allowed to evaluate players or make contact with recruits off campus.
The quiet period coincides with Hawaii's prep softball season, which runs from December through the state tournament in late January. The restriction does not apply to Division II coaches. Hawaii is the only state that plays high school softball in the winter.
"From Thanksgiving to Jan. 1, I can't watch any of those young ladies on the island, and what they think is we aren't interested," Coolen said. "That was the frustrating part. I wasn't around during that time frame to go out and watch as many games as I would have liked to and the idea out there was, 'Oh, he's not interested in the local players,' which is not true at all. ... We lose some marquee kids because we're not out in the community."
The WAC proposal would institute a Hawaii exemption, allowing coaches to evaluate and contact local players during the quiet period. A similar exemption is already in the NCAA Manual for Hawaii girls basketball, which plays in the spring.
WAC officials hope the measure will be approved in October and are pushing to have the amendment in effect this winter.
Countdown to kickoff: As the days of summer dwindle, high school football teams are gearing up for the new season.
OIA and ILH squads begin drills and conditioning workouts Aug. 5. Players can strap on the pads starting Aug. 12.
The hitting starts for real on Aug. 23 and 24 with preseason games. The OIA season begins Aug. 30 with a matchup between Kahuku and Waianae highlighting the opening weekend. The first ILH game is set for Sept. 7 with Punahou facing St. Louis.
Speed clinic at UH: High school and youth league coaches are invited to attend a free speed and quickness clinic hosted by UH assistant football coach Rich Miano from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the UH athletic department auditorium.
Miano and UH strength coach Mel deLaura will run the clinic that features coaches, physicians and athletes speaking on how to improve the speed and quickness of young athletes.
For more information, call Pacific SportsCare at 621-2220.
Iwase leaves HHSAA: Justin Iwase has stepped down from his post as director of information for the Hawaii High School Athletic Association. Cathy Ogawa has been hired to replace him.
Iwase worked for the HHSAA for the past year, handling media requests and maintaining the HHSAA Web site. He is pursuing his real estate license, but will continue to assist the HHSAA staff during state tournaments.
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