Shannon Smith
locker stays

The two-year anniversary of the drowning of Shannon Smith came and went yesterday with no ceremonies, no speeches, no moment of silence.

When told before his first spring practice as head coach of Hawaii what the date signified, June Jones quietly said, "No, I didn't know." When asked if there would be any changes to the Shannon Smith Locker Room, Jones said, "No. We're going to keep everything as it is right now."

Former Hawaii head coach Fred vonAppen was pleased to hear that Smith's locker would remain as it was the Friday before he drowned at Slippery Slide on Kauai while saving the life of vonAppen's 9-year-old son Cody.

"It's a day you try not to think about, but of course, you do," vonAppen said last night. "I'm glad they're keeping the locker room as it is. Shannon should be remembered for what he did."

The Easter weekend expedition to Kauai included Smith, four members of the vonAppen family, and former UH players Tim Carey and Chris Shinnick. Smith went down Slippery Slide with Cody on his lap.

After being submerged for approximately 20 seconds, Smith and Cody briefly escaped an unseen whirlpool. When it became apparent that both were in trouble, Thea and Fred vonAppen jumped into the water.

So did Carey as he helped rescue the three vonAppens from the whirlpool. Seconds later, Smith was dragged under one last time. It's believed he hit his head on a rock and drowned.

LOVE THAT OFFENSE

Quarterback Dan Robinson, running back Avion Weaver and wide receiver Dwight Carter gave three thumbs up to the new run-and-shoot offense.

"The schemes are great for wideouts," said Carter, who is the leading returning receiver with 40 catches for 567 yards and three touchdowns. "There are so many different ways to make big plays. Short passes, medium routes and long bombs, this offense has it all."

You won't get any argument from Robinson. The senior quarterback is enthusiastic with the schemes and the coaches drawing them up.

"We're lucky to have a good coaching staff like this one," said Robinson, who completed 163 of 354 passes for 2,155 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. "Coach Jones knows what each player is supposed to do on every play.

"It's the kind of offense you love as a quarterback and a receiver because you're just a catch or step away from a big play. I'm glad I had shinsplints two years ago, or I wouldn't be around to enjoy this."

With Charles Tharp out of spring practice for violating a team rule for the second time, Weaver is top dog of the running backs. He's in excellent shape and a perfect fit for the big back needed in the run-and-shoot.

"I love it," Weaver said. "People think you pass all the time and never run. But it's not true. You also have a chance to bust a long one because the defense is thinking pass first."

Tharp was conspicuous by his absence. The Rainbows' top rusher the past two years has told UH officials he will return in the fall, but several former and current players believe he will seek a transfer.

INJURY REPORT

Several players will miss spring practice because of injuries last fall that required off-season surgery. Chief among them are top defensive lineman Tony Tuioti (back) and talented linebacker Jeff Ulbrich (knee).

Ulbrich was expected to take part in some spring drills, but suffered a recent setback while doing squats in the weight room. Fellow linebacker Yaphet Warren is still recovering from a bad ankle he suffered in a moped accident and also won't return until fall camp.

It was better news for Steve Dietschy. The inside linebacker is fully recovered from knee surgery. Defensive lineman Miles Garner and safety Daniel Ho-Ching recently had their knees scoped but should see some playing time this spring.

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By Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin