UH Football Opens Spring Training, New Chow Era
By Rodney S. Yap
The University of Hawaii Warrior football team opened spring practice and the Norm Chow era Tuesday with the first of 15 practice sessions at the UH-Manoa campus. The team went through a two-hour scripted practice on its grass practice field.
For the fourth consecutive year, the team will conduct a practice/scrimmage on a neighbor island. This year’s event will be at War Memorial Stadium here Saturday, April 21. The practice begins at 11 a.m. and will be followed by an autograph session. Admission is free.
Chow, who was hired in December as the program’s 22nd head coach and is making his head coaching debut with the Warriors, has installed new offensive and defensive schemes this season with Tommy Lee as offensive coordinator and Thom Kaumeyer as defensive coordinator.
“Both sides of the ball is a whole new system,” Chow said. “I thought the players picked it up real well but we obviously have a long way to go.
“Spring practice is always a fun time because you don’t have to worry about a game. You can coach and teach and see the reaction of the players. I thought they did a nice job. Its fun to be out here.”
This week, the Chow and the Warriors will hold two more practices today and Thursday before taking off next week for spring break (March 26-30). Practices resume Tuesday, April 3.
Practice was noticeably different than in years past as the intensity level was higher and the pace of practice was faster with a high energy tempo.
“The intensity level is way up there right now and I think it hit some of the guys by surprise but I’m all for it, I’m loving it,” quarterback David Graves said. “I feel like if we practice hard like this, we’ll play in the games hard like this so.”
Prior to UH, Chow spent 36 years in the collegiate ranks — 27 years at Brigham Young, one year at North Carolina State, four years at USC, three years at UCLA, and one year at his alma mater, Utah. Chow also spent three years as offensive coordinator for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.
Chow has installed a pro-style offense which features a tight end and fullback, two positions new to the Warriors after 13 years of the four-wideout run-and-shoot offense.
“Obviously we have a lot to work on but it’s just day one,” wide receiver Jeremiah Ostrowski said. “People just have to be ready when their name is called and try not to make the simple mistakes. I think it’s good for us and it’s only going to make us better.”
Spring practice concludes with the annual “Warrior Bowl,” Friday, April 27 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Field. That event is also free to the public.
The 2012 season begins Saturday, Sept. 1 at USC.
Practice Schedule
Tuesday, March 20 – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21 – 7:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 22 – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 3 – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 5 – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 7 – 10:30 a.m.
Monday, April 9 – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11 – 7:00 a.m.
Friday, April 13 – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17 – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 19 – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 21 (War Memorial Stadium) – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 24 – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 26 – 3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 27 (Warrior Bowl) – 7 p.m.
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