FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Ho-Ching out with injury

THE only person on the current roster to play in Hawaii's last road win four years ago separated his shoulder during yesterday's spring practice.

Daniel Ho-Ching cried out briefly as the trainers put his shoulder back in place. Just how much time he'll miss remains to be seen.

"I heard it pop out on contact," UH head coach June Jones said. "I don't know what the long-range deal is on that, but I don't expect him to play anymore this spring."

Ho-Ching has battled back from a variety of ailments during his career with the Rainbows. After that victory at UNLV in 1995, Ho-Ching missed most of the next two seasons with cancer.

The safety played briefly in 1997 and was limited last year with a nasty hamstring pull. He has had some shoulder problems as well.

"We're just trying to get through these last few days without anybody else getting hurt," Jones said. "We've got a long way to go, but I think we keep getting a little better every day."

Ho-Ching has seen playing time at safety and outside linebacker in certain formations. He recently said that he was as healthy as he's been in a year.

Party time for old-timers

More than 100 former players and coaches for the Rainbows gathered at the Stan Sheriff Center last night for an alumni party.

Jones met with several former players at the end of yesterday's practice before adjourning to the planned get-together.

"I'm looking forward to seeing a bunch of old friends," Jones said. "I'm kind of anxious to see who shows up. We're expecting about a 100 or so.

"I've been really busy over the last few months, so this will give me a chance to make contact with some old friends. We want to get this thing going here again, and to do that, you need to involve the former players and coaches."

Current high school coaches have attended many of the spring practices. Cultivating those ties could help develop the local interest.

"We need to convince as many local players as we can to be a part of this program," Jones said. "We want to convince guys to walk-on and have the opportunity to maybe win a scholarship.

"(UH secondary coach) Rich Miano did just that and see where it took him. So, a get-together like this should be a lot of fun and also help our program."

Ticket renewals coming in

So far, the total number of renewals and new season-ticket sales is right at the 2,000 mark.

Fans renewing their tickets are a little slow right now because many people are paying federal and state taxes.

Those who want to purchase new season tickets can do so Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. You can also order by telephone at 944-BOWS.

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Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin