Oahu Interscholastic Association | Archive | June, 2008

Even on the local scene, many interviews with high school coaches contain what we in the media call “coach speak”.   Those cliche comments that are politically correct, follow the middle path, and often display very little emotion.

On this night, the Chargers had just won their 2nd OIA title under Seki, with a squad of talented but young players.  Many thought this team was a year away.  For the head coach, it was known that this would be his final season after 14 years.

The exact wording of my first question escapes me.  But I think I inquired on his pride for his players and their accomplishments.

At first he paused.  Then he looked up.  Considering that this is live radio, these few seconds seemed like an eternity.

Then his initial response was,  “I didn’t even expect us to be here.”

He went on to praise his players for playing above their expectations, coming from behind in certain games, and so forth.  But he was genuinely on a positive high, elated if you will.  This was very refreshing, particularly from such a veteran of his craft

The Pearl City team would finish at #2 in the State, losing to Punahou in the HHSAA Title Game.

A former teacher and school administrator, Coach Seki taught the game of baseball to all his players.  He taught them well, to the tune of a record of 151-70-3.  But as the saying goes, victory is often sweeter when you least expect it.

See HHSAA Board Votes

The HHSAA Executive Board voted in favor of eliminating the parade of teams during halftime of the State Boys and Girls Basketball Tournaments.  By the way, there was no need for discussion on this one – the vote was a unanimous 95-0.

The justifications could be many.  It may have taken too much time.  Teams did not want to have to attend the championship game just for this purpose.  Outer island teams wanted to do something else on their last night in Honolulu.

This was an unfortunate decision.  Having broadcasted the championship games over the years for radio, I always looked forward to the halftime tradition of seeing all the players and coaches one last time together on the floor.  For all teams, it is the common goal to make it to the State Tournament.  At this halftime moment, it is the last time each team will be together as a unit, standing on the floor of the greatest venue for basketball, hearing the cheers and relishing in what their hard work and dedication has given each of them.  

Few high school student-athletes get the opportunity to play in a state tournament.  Even fewer will excel and create highlights on the court.  On a 12-person roster, roughly 5 of them will never see the court.  Multiply that by 12 teams in a tournament and that is 60 players.  Multiply that by 4 tournaments and…

Coaches and athletes will tell you that it is very difficult to make it to the state tournament.  It is even more difficult to return in ensuing years.  Like anything in life, there are only a few that are part of the elite. 

Too much time?  I’m sure the halftime was extended a bit.  But the ceremony was not elaborate and it did not take much effort to have 16-17 year olds simply walk out on the court in a line with their coaches. 

In August the Summer Olympics will begin in China and for about 12 years there have been discussions to eliminate the traditional Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony.  Some of the reasons sound familiar – too much time, some athletes/teams not wanting to participate (mainly because competition started the next day).
But as NBC’s Bob Costas and Tom Brokaw noted during one of the television broadcasts of the Opening Ceremony, this is the only time for a significant majority of the athletes to be recognized as a member of their country’s team in such grand fashion.  And the memories for these athletes will last a lifetime.

In late October 2007, I witnessed the final official event at Roosevelt Stadium – an OIA football game between Mckinley and Farrington, in the rain and mud that was typical of the conditions for a sporting event there.  I could not see the yardage markers.  The numbers on the jerseys were barely visible.  One could only envision what this field looked like 30 years ago when there was some grass on the field.

On May 31, 2008, I was also present to witness the very first official function of the new Roosevelt Stadium, or officially called the Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium.  It was only fitting that the 355 members of the Graduating Seniors Class of 2008 would the inaugural group to cross the new artificial field of the $4.2 million renovation project for their Graduation Ceremony.  No other members of the student body, or general public for that matter, had been allowed to put a toenail on the new track and field.

“We were the first ones on it,” said senior Shane Doi.  “Everyone has wanted to get out there.”

The Stadium is being hailed as the model for private and public collaboration for funding in the public school sector.  Volunteers re-painted the cement seats a bright Red and Gold that had long since faded or covered over by grit and grime of decades under the elements.  A bold “RHS” in red with black trim is shown prominently at the 50-yard line.

This is the home of the Roughriders.

The red track surrounding the field seemed fitting for one of the oldest schools in the State.  Colors make all the difference when it comes to team, pride, and power.  And there was green on the field, a color long since forgotten for the Roosevelt family of students and alumni.

Let us not forget when taxpayers look at the price tag of this project.  The Stadium is also the home for Mckinley, Farrington, and Kaimuki.  Add in that soccer games will also be hosted at this facility. The most heavily used facility for outdoor high school athletics will benefit more than just the Roughrider programs.

On this night, after the Graduation Ceremonies were officially over, the public got their chance to take off their slippers and walk on the field.  Children ran, rolled, sat, and simply touched the green turf.