Former Hawaii safety Nate Jackson is tentatively scheduled to undergo surgery to replace a heart valve tomorrow. Jackson, who has also been suffering from a viral infection, has been at Queen's Hospital since Oct. 24. Jackson improves
to allow for surgeryBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comToni Politsch, a spokeswoman for "Friends of Nate Jackson," said yesterday that Jackson's condition has improved enough to allow the surgery.
"His mother said he got up and walked, with assistance, for the first time the other day," Politsch said. "She said he's lost 30 pounds, but they think he's over the hump after he had a bad fever, 103 degrees, that he couldn't break. But he's been fever-free for a couple days now."
Several events to raise money to defray Jackson's medical costs are being planned:
>> There will be a brunch party at All-Star Hawaii on Saturday during the telecast of the Hawaii at Rice game. The charge is $12, with $5 going to Jackson's fund.
>> "Tailgate for Nate" will be Nov. 21 at Murphy's Bar & Grill. It will be similar to the "Pigskin Pigout" fund-raisers, with a hosted evening for $50 and sports memorabilia up for auction.
Proprietor Don Murphy has received items from the Denver Broncos and former UH receiver and Jackson teammate Ashley Lelie, and he's hoping to get a signed helmet from the Tennessee Titans (the team Jackson tried out for last summer) in time for the event.
>> Jackson's high school coach at Waianae, Leo Taaca, is coordinating the effort in the Leeward area, and Waianae students will hand out flyers and collect donations. A fund-raiser is being planned in the community.
>> Several fund-raising efforts are being planned for UH's next home game, against Cincinnati on Nov. 23.
"Friends of Nate Jackson" will have tables set up for donations, and Star-Bulletin and Advertiser lineup edition distributors will have donation cans.
Also, former UH defensive lineman Cliff LaBoy is printing T-shirts and Murphy plans to have 7,500 rally flags commemorating Jackson's career to sell at UH games.
"Nate needs all the support and prayers he can get," Lelie said. "It's looking like he should be able to pull through, but if everybody in Hawaii can say a prayer for him, maybe there will be that one extra prayer that makes a difference."
Those willing to assist in some way can call Pat Floerke at 224-8048. Donations can be taken to any First Hawaiian Bank or mailed to "Friends of Nate Jackson" at P.O. Box 4948, Kaneohe, HI 96744.
Stepping up: The addition of Michigan State in 2004, 2005 and 2007 upgrades the Warriors' nonconference schedule, at least in name recognition. The 2005 lineup looks particularly challenging -- at least potentially -- since it now includes a road game at Michigan State and home games against USC, Wisconsin and San Diego State.
"That's one of the teams we talked about trying to get," Jones said in reaction to athletic director Herman Frazier working a deal with the Spartans. "We started stepping up with playing Alabama. If you want to be something special you've got to go in there and play those teams."
Freshmen Abu Ma'afala and Kenny Patton, contributors now at defensive tackle and cornerback, will be seniors in 2005, barring redshirt seasons.
"This gives us a chance to keep shooting up in the next couple years. Michigan State will be a great experience," Ma'afala said. "But right now we have to focus on Rice. It's good to hear that, but right now I have three years to focus on first."
Patton said one of the reasons he chose UH last year is that he knew the schedule would be upgraded.
"The football program's really on the rise and the strength of schedule is getting better," he said. "Playing big-name teams in front of our families is a special thing for us local boys."
Short yardage: Junior defensive end Travis LaBoy did not practice again yesterday because of a sore ankle and might not make the trip. ... Owls' coach Ken Hatfield is 5-2 lifetime against Hawaii; 3-0 while at Rice, 1-2 at Air Force and 1-0 at Arkansas. He is the fifth-winningest coach in the nation with a 159-114-4 mark in his 24th season.