Thursday, March 26, 1998

Leading soccer scorer
leaves Wahine

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Jennifer Hamm, the leading scorer for the University of Hawaii women's soccer team last season, has left the team and will transfer to another school.

"I guess during the season I realized the program turned out not to be the Division I program I thought it would be. It didn't start out that way in the beginning," Hamm said.

She had three goals and three assists to lead the Wahine in scoring with nine points during her freshman season. A midfielder, Hamm was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference Pacific Division second team.

"I didn't feel there was respect on the team for other players and coaches," Hamm said. "There was a lot of bad-mouthing by players of players and coaches. They got away with it and I couldn't handle that. I didn't think we were a team in the end.

"There were a lot of petty conflicts among the players which I tried to overlook because they really weren't an influence on my decision to transfer. I just thought I could do better at another school."

UH head coach Pinsoom Tenzing said, "I very much understand what she's doing (transferring). I would do it if I were her.

"From what I know, and it's all hearsay, it all stems from one incident before the trip to San Diego State (UH played at SDSU Oct. 17). It's very nasty and very personal stuff. I've asked Jennifer many times to discuss it, but she declines."

Tenzing confirmed Hamm will get her release from UH. She can transfer anywhere, except to a WAC school.

Hamm is still enrolled at UH and participated in most of spring practice with the Wahine. Hamm said she hasn't decided where she will go next.

"There are pluses and minuses to this," Tenzing said. "She was our best player last year, but lacked a few quick steps for her position. I think we've worked hard to take care of that (with recruits).

"I'm a little disappointed in her style now, blaming everyone and everything for one incident."

Hamm, from Albuquerque, N.M., originally picked Hawaii over Pittsburgh, Iowa State, Navy and Weber State.

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu