Anyone who watched him play was in awe of what Al Noga produced on the football field while competing for the University of Hawaii in the 1980s. He dominated thoroughly, and there is no doubt Noga was one of the five greatest players in UH history. He was voted No. 3 by a panel of coaches and reporters who had covered him, for a Star-Bulletin series in 2009.
Noga, who remains UH’s only first-team Associated Press All-American, has finally been voted into the UH Sports Circle of Honor, and was the Rainbow Warriors’ honorary captain for their homecoming game against Colorado State last season. … Norm Chow remembered game-planning to deal with Noga, with not-so-fond memories of him wreaking havoc in the BYU backfield when Chow coached there.
I covered UH’s home games for AP in 1986 — and recall leading at least two game stories with his name, he was so unstoppable. I’ve seen no college defensive tackle as dominant, before or since.
If it’s just about on-field performance, Noga’s a slam-dunk "yes" for just about any all-time UH sports accolade anyone wants to bestow upon him.
But why did Noga get into the Circle of Honor only now, after being eligible more than 20 years?
He was nominated year after year, but nine guilty verdicts that led to incarceration for misdemeanor charges, including abuse of a family member, assault, harassment and criminal contempt, had a lot to do with his exclusion.
This is all part of the public record, which Star-Advertiser cityside reporter Gordon Pang helped me find. It’s as much a part of Noga’s legacy — if not more — as his stellar achievements as a Rainbow Warrior and in the NFL. UH athletic director Ben Jay says all aspects were taken into account by the nine-member committee he and media relations director Derek Inouchi co-chair.
"The committee weighed everything in its totality," Jay said. "It took into consideration his past record. Things happened a long time ago."
But how long ago is a long time ago when we’re talking about domestic violence? Noga was charged, and on April 7, 2008, found guilty of misdemeanor abuse of a family/household member. He was sentenced to 181 days confinement.
This, and the rest of the criminal record, goes against one of the UH Sports Circle of Honor bylaws, No. 5 under its general rules: "The nominee must exhibit strong moral character and discipline."
You can say he did his time and should not be penalized further, and that his returning to school and completing his bachelor’s degree is indicative of positive character and discipline. Noga can be charming and friendly; he was when I last spoke with him, in 2013.
But none of that erases his criminal record, which started in 1987.
If this is what the standard is, rule No. 5 should be stricken from the bylaws and the school should change the name to "UH Circle of Sports Honorees." Same words, but the order puts emphasis on the sports honors. Or call it the University of Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame instead.
I don’t feel bad because Al Noga had to wait to get in. I feel bad for the victims of his crimes, and for the members of the UH Sports Circle of Honor who do not have criminal records.
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.
