Coaches told to leave campus, so players run their own practice

The University of Hawaii football team practiced without supervision on Friday. The coaches were ordered to leave to comply with the mandated closing of state facilities because of approaching storms.

The players-only practice lasted 90 minutes and contained occasional drizzle from what was once Hurricane Iselle.

Coach Norm Chow expressed disappointment the Rainbow Warriors could not conduct a full practice. Friday was the fifth day of training camp ahead of the Aug. 30 opener against Washington.

"We’re not calling practice just to have practice," Chow said. "This thing has been scripted out. We have certain things we want to emphasize in each and every practice so we can be as ready as we can be for the University of Washington."

Reed Dasenbrock, UH-Manoa’s acting chancellor, told athletic director Ben Jay to enforce Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s edict to close the Manoa campus.

"With the university being closed, they felt there should be no organized team activity," Jay said.

Jay then called Chow, who was walking toward the Ching Athletic Complex. Chow then notified the assistant coaches and players. The coaches left the field, but the players, by unanimous vote, chose to conduct practice on their own. Athletic trainers Eric Okasaki and Brian Wong volunteered to monitor the practice. Two student managers said they offered to stay.

Jay said he did not know if the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the union that represents the UH staff, including coaches, initiated a complaint that led to Dasenbrock’s edict.

"I’m following the orders of the acting chancellor," Jay said. "In (his) determination, we are not to conduct any organized team activities.

Chow said: "Obviously, I have superiors and I listen to what they have to say. The team was not really happy with it, and decided to have a practice on their own."

The players went through individual and team drills. They even removed helmets to run their two-minute offense.

Still, Chow said, "You can’t make up (the practice) because they lose a day."

The Warriors are expected to practice today. Chow said the team will not practice on Sunday.

"I think the kids deserve to have Sunday to sit back and reflect and see family, and those who want can go to church," Chow said. "We owe that to these young guys."

Jay said that even though the school was closed, the players still received meals and lodging. The Warriors, who were sleeping on cots in two dance studios, have relocated to Frear Hall through at least Monday.

Jay said Sodexo, which runs the UH cafeteria for the dorms, will continue to provide meals for the Warriors and other dorm students.