WARRIOR FOOTBALL
Kaiser grad Noa to join Warriors in ’09
Kalua Noa has waited all his life to become a University of Hawaii football player. So the wide receiver from Kaiser doesn't mind hanging on for a few more months.
Noa said he has a scholarship offer to join the Warriors program as a grayshirt in January. He will be a part of the team in time for next year's spring practices.
"I'm super excited," said Noa, who completed his senior season with the Cougars last fall. "It's always been in the family."
Noa's father, Henry, played for UH. So did Kalua's older brothers, Kilinahe and Waikoloa.
"That was the best," said Kalua, of seeing Kilinahe run 70 yards with a fake punt in a 2002 game. "That, and watching him blow up people on special teams."
Noa said he got a scholarship offer from Portland State on Wednesday, and was considering playing for former UH coaches Jerry Glanville and Mouse Davis. Then, on Thursday, Warriors coaches offered Noa the opportunity to stay here.
Noa said he is fully qualified academically for UH. He said he will likely take some classes at Kapiolani Community College in the fall and train on his own.
Noa said he is 6-feet-2, weighs 200 pounds and covers 40 yards in 4.4 or 4.5 seconds. He was second last month in the 200 meters at the state high school track and field championships.
Another local receiver, Billy Ray Stutzmann of Saint Louis, has also been offered a scholarship by UH. He is considering finishing high school a semester early following the 2008 fall semester and starting college in January.
Stutzmann also has an offer from Washington State.