In need of improved production, the University of Hawaii football team went to Hollywood.
Marquis Fairchild, a defensive end/linebacker from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla., said he has accepted a scholarship offer from the Rainbow Warriors.
Fairchild said he called the UH coaches with his decision on Monday. He said they told him to discuss the matter fully with his family. On Tuesday, Fairchild reaffirmed his commitment.
"I consulted with my family," Fairchild said. "We’re very comfortable with the decision. I’m going to play for Hawaii."
Fairchild is 6 feet 4 and 225 pounds.
He played tight end, defensive end and outside linebacker for Chaminade-Madonna this season. He said he will compete on defense, probably as a rush end, for the Warriors.
Fairchild credited assistant coach Chris Demarest, the point recruiter, and cornerback Barry Higdon as influences in his college choice.
"I felt comfortable talking to Coach Demo," Fairchild said. "I know Barry Higdon. He told me a lot about the school. He said it’s great over there. He said he liked the atmosphere."
Fairchild said he has followed the Warriors through telecasts.
"I watched the game against San Diego State (this past Saturday)," Fairchild said. "It was a tough loss. I love the way they play. I love the old-school uniforms. I thought they were tight."
After Tuesday’s practice, the Rainbow Warriors, in helmets and pads, ran a 60-yard sprint.
And then another. And another.
After each of the seven sprints, coach Norm Chow yelled out: "Seven thousand!"
It was a reminder that Saturday’s game against Wyoming will be played in Laramie’s 7,200-foot elevation. The thin air and 30-degree temperatures will test the Warriors, whose travel roster is limited to 64 players.
By delivering the cold facts, Chow said: "We don’t pull any punches."
Chow said he expects the players to get winded early.
"We’ll just have to fight through that, work through that, hydrate, and do the best we can," Chow said. "The height’s not going to go away. The cold is not going to go away. We’ll just have to get ready."
Chow said the months-long conditioning should be helpful.
"We’ve always said we’re not going to worry about who we play, where we play, what color jersey we use," Chow said. "We’re just going to try to play. We owe it to (the players) to prepare them as best as we can."
And that meant more sprints.
"You run the sprints as hard as you can, as you always should do," quarterback Sean Schroeder said. "We’ve played at elevation before."
