LIHUE — Tickets for the “Kauai, Meet the Coaches!” event will still available at the door today starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Kauai Community College Fine Dining Room.
Guests to the event featuring heavy pupu from Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering, and two drink tickets that come with admission, can meet University of Hawaii head football coach Nick Rolovich and his coaching staff, who will be discussing the 2019 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football season as well as provide team updates for the coming season that starts Aug. 24 when Hawaii hosts Arizona in a 4:30 p.m. kickoff at the Aloha Stadium.
Rolovich and his coaching staff arrived Wednesday, taking time to host a clinic for more than 500 keiki at the Isenberg Park, coordinated through the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation at Isenberg Park.
“This is something started by former Parks and Recreation director Lenny Rapozo,” said Melanie Okamoto of the Parks staff. “This is open to the public, but a lot of the children are from the summer fun program. Last year, the children were given an option of participating, or doing an alternate activity. This year, everyone participates because the clinic is not just football. There are skills that young people can use in other physical activities.”
Rolovich and his coaching staff were joined by Parks and Recreation summer fun leaders in corralling the energetic pack and channeling them into the different stations that ranged from general strength and conditioning exercises and drills to more specialized football skills.
“There must be more than 400 kids here,” said Mark Banker, the Hawaii assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach. “I used to coach with Bob Wagner, and the last time we came here, there was a quarterback we were looking at. I don’t remember who he played for — just that they played Iolani for the title. It’s been a while since I was here, but it’s good to be back, and these youngsters are great.”
Rolovich was joined by Kauai Police Department representatives in speaking of making the right choices and being good citizens, the Hawaii football coach leading the “Uncle Rolo’s Storytime” station for the younger participants, a far cry from his normal coaching position.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
