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STAR-BULLETIN FILE PHOTO / AUGUST 2004 Hawaii's Pat Olchovy, here competing in last fall's scrimmage, is vying for a spot at slotback this spring.

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UH’s Olchovy
hanging loose

The slotback has a good perspective
on sports and life, and he's
learned to chill out a bit, too

When Hawaii slotback Pat Olchovy was a teen growing up on Long Island, he never needed reminders about priorities. He got one anyway on Sept. 11, 2001.

Olchovy was in class at Islip High School when, just a few miles away, planes piloted by terrorists knocked down the twin towers of the World Trade Center, killing thousands and changing everything.

"We were in school when it happened. It came across the loudspeaker. People were wondering if their family members were in there," he said.

Olchovy was one of those who had to worry; his father had gone into the city that day. He eventually returned home safely.

Teammate Ryan LaBarbera wasn't as lucky.

"Ryan was one of my good friends. His uncle was a fireman and he didn't make it out," Olchovy said. "We all wore a patch on our jersey for his ladder company. It gave you a sense that you were playing for more than touchdowns and girls.

"The city was dead, and the whole season was crazy. Canceled games, postponed games," he added. "If anyone didn't know there were things more important than sports, they learned."

Olchovy never had that problem. The three-sport star's grades were outstanding, good enough to get him accepted into Ivy League colleges. If he'd gone that route, he could've continued playing running back.

When it came time to choose a school though, Olchovy opted for Hawaii -- even though it meant walking on, and at a place five time zones away.

He was attracted to UH's four-receiver passing attack, which was very similar to Islip's offense, and the fact that players around his size (5-foot-8, 160 pounds) were thriving in it.

Olchovy tried out for the Warriors last spring after acclimating to Hawaii. His quickness and hustle earned him a spot on the team. Now he's looking for playing time since Chad Owens, Gerald Welch and Se'e Poumele were all seniors last year, and Nate Ilaoa has moved to running back.

"I'm catching the ball better, and the routes are like the ABCs now," he said.

Receivers coach Ron Lee said Olchovy has learned to pace himself.

"He's more relaxed, not as tight, and he's better with his hands. He was only one speed and he was a little stiff," Lee said. "He's getting a lot of reps now, and he's coming along nicely. He's learning when to throttle down, when to accelerate."

Olchovy's also learned to shift gears off the field, thanks to tutoring from Owens and Welch.

"He was kind of the way he played, everything fast. He was such a serious guy," Lee said. "I think those two taught him to be a little looser, not so tense. Now he works hard and he's anxious to contribute, but he enjoys being with the boys."

Olchovy still misses New York, especially good pizza and other Italian foods.

"The water makes the dough different. That's why New York pizza and bread is the best," he said.

Now he will miss the presence of last year's seniors.

"I learned a lot from Chad and Gerald. They helped me out a lot. I was just a guy from New York here all by myself, didn't know anybody," he said. "They helped me adapt to the culture."

Olchovy already knew a lot about priorities when he got here. Owens and Welch taught him sometimes the priority is to hang loose.

"Yeah, I'm not as nervous. Last year the hype was to make the team. Now it's stick with it and improve on the little things," said Olchovy, who finds himself atop the depth chart at one of the slots this spring.

"The competition is strong, so I'm just trying to work hard every day and keep my spot."

Injury report: Defensive tackle Michael Lafaele was out yesterday with what he said was a minor sprain of his right ankle. "It's sore, small kine," he said. ... Defensive end Karl Noa was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his strained right shoulder this week. ... Defensive back Ryan Keomaka is still recovering from left shoulder surgery. Keomaka, who came on as a special teams standout in 2004, hurt the shoulder last season. ... Defensive end Mel Purcell is still awaiting clearance to return to practice after he was diagnosed with a concussion last week.