[ UH FOOTBALL ]
Whieldon’s last week
as a starter going by fast
There is little that Jason Whieldon would change heading into the Warrior football team's final game of the year. Except maybe to make it last a little longer.
Football is getting good for the senior quarterback just as his career is coming to a close. It hasn't been an easy two years -- between leaving the program for personal reasons last season and spending most of his time since transferring from Saddleback Community College (Calif.) in a backup role.
"I'm just trying to savor every minute," said Whieldon after Hawaii concluded Hawaii Bowl practice yesterday. "This is for real our last game. You just practice like the time you have with these guys is precious."
There were precious few opportunities to play last season. Whieldon was dropped to third-string after his return and was hardly in the mix for playing time. He played in just four games and completed eight passes in 18 attempts.
And a year ago, Whieldon knew exactly how much fun he'd have on Christmas Day with his spot on the bench pretty secure.
"Last year, I wasn't going to play," said the 6-foot-1 quarterback. "I was on the outside looking in. This year, it's a little different being in the game plan and being ready to play.
"I like it. I'm sure everyone on the team wants to be in the game, but it's tough when there are so many guys. I'm a lot farther along. Just being in the offense for another year and adapting to it. I feel real comfortable with it. I'm excited about this game."
His excitement should be infectious. It was contagious when he came off the bench to spark the Warriors to victory against Alabama three weeks ago in one of the bigger wins in program history. He passed for 237 yards and four TDs.
And though it was a moment most players see in their sleep, Whieldon hopes it isn't his last one.
"That was probably one, but we still have another game," he said. "It'd be better to make another dream moment.
"We're looking at this game as another game we're trying to win. Not one we're trying to play."
Whieldon said the Warriors are more focused this year and practices for the Hawaii Bowl have been more intense.
Whieldon has had many opportunities to reclaim his career and get it on the right track. The work he has put into it makes him just a little sad when talking about the last game of his collegiate career.
"I'm sad that it took awhile for me to get my opportunities," Whieldon said. "But I'm grateful that they're here. It's been fun.
"You can't regret anything. I don't regret doing anything fun."
Still not there: Some of the Warriors absent from practice during the early part of the week were still not there yesterday. Defensive end Travis LaBoy was taking care of finals and academic work.
Running back West Keli'ikipi did not practice either. Hawaii coach June Jones wasn't sure if it was his sore knee or finals that kept him out of the Warriors' two-hour practice.
Wide receiver Chad Owens was at practice in a t-shirt and slippers. Jones said Owens should be OK.
Defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga was seen trolling the sidelines at Hawaii's practice. Sopoaga is still battling the flu and didn't get in on the action.
"Issac is sick," Jones said. "At least he came in and took his tests and wrote some papers. Hopefully, we'll get him back by Saturday."
Short yardage: Houston arrives this afternoon and will have nearly a week on the island in preparation for the Hawaii Bowl.
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[ COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL ]
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hawaii senior Lauren Duggins tried to hit over Florida's Jane Collymore and Sherri Williams last night.
Haley is coach
of the year
DALLAS >> Southern California coach Mick Haley is already a success in his return to the Lone Star State. The former coach at Texas picked up his third national Coach of the Year award yesterday.
It was somewhat of a surprise, considering Haley was not chosen the Pac-10 coach of the year -- that went to California's Rich Feller. Nor did Haley win the regional honor -- shared by Feller and Pepperdine's Nina Matthies.
Although the selection is usually made from the eight regional coaches, any coach whose team makes the NCAA Tournament elite eight is eligible.
Haley is the second coach to win NCAA titles at two different schools, at Texas in 1988 and at USC last season. John Dunning is the other, at Pacific (1985-86) and Stanford (2001).
After last night's victory over Minnesota, Haley upped his Division I coaching record to 611-142. Haley now has a chance to become the fifth coach to win both the NCAA title and American Volleyball Coaches Association coach award in the same year.
The four who have accomplished it are Hawaii's Dave Shoji (1982), Long Beach State's Brian Gimmillaro (1998), Nebraska's John Cook (2000) and Stanford's Dunning (2001).
Line of site: Pre-determining regional sites was a new concept for the NCAA Women's Division I Volleyball Tournament this season. The format appears here to stay.
One of the decisions to be made at this week's AVCA convention is the site for next year's four regionals. This year's inaugural hosts were Hawaii, Long Beach State, Nebraska and Florida.
"I thought it was great," said Florida coach Mary Wise, whose team stayed home for the first four matches. "I think what we'll see are more upsets, especially when the sites are neutral courts. I think it's good for the sport.
"My feeling is it will allow teams to schedule tougher preseason matches because they won't have to worry about defending their host chances based on record. They can take a chance with a tougher opponent and, if they lose, it won't cost them being a host site."
According to NCAA statistics, home teams won 94 percent of the postseason playoff matches (301-31) over the past nine years. Teams went 33-3 at home this season.
Minnesota was on the road for the regional, traveling to Long Beach State. The Pyramid became a neutral site when the host 49ers were knocked out in the first round.
The 13th-seeded Golden Gophers earned their first trip to the final four with wins over No. 4 Pepperdine and No. 12 Washington.
"I like the chance that teams can play for a regional championship at a neutral site," said Minnesota coach Mike Hebert. "The downside is the attendance when the home team doesn't make it.
"But I think it's a concept whose time has come and I hope it continues."
The final-four sites for the next four years have already been set: 2004 is at the Long Beach Arena; 2005 at the Alamodome in San Antonio; 2006 at the Omaha (Neb.) Convention Center and Arena; and 2007 at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif.
The upcoming NCAA men's tournament is scheduled for the Stan Sheriff Center on May 6 and 8. The 2005 tournament will be at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.
Gender inequity: Wise became the first female coach to reach the NCAA title match after her Florida team advanced to tomorrow's championship against No. 1 Southern California.
Prior to beating Hawaii last night, Wise was 0-6 in the semifinals.
Wise and BYU's Elaine Michaelis are the only two women to reach the semifinals. She and Wise both had their teams in the 1993 semifinals, but Michaelis' Cougars were ousted by Penn State and the Gators by eventual champion Long Beach State.
"It never crosses my mind," said Wise. "I don't think about breaking ground. It has nothing to do with my gender. It has to do with the number of women coaches at well-funded programs. When that happens, this won't be a rarity."
