Tuesday was moving day.
Except for three days spent in the dormitories because of the threat of Hurricane Iselle, the Rainbow Warriors lived in two dance studios for 13 days during fall camp. They slept on cots, used the locker room bathrooms, and dined in classrooms at the UH athletic complex.
The team spent Tuesday morning moving into dormitories or off-campus housing. The freshmen were assigned clean-up duty.
"I stayed here for four years," said quarterback Jeremy Higgins, who transferred from Utah State in June 2010. "I like being around everybody. It was fun to bond."
Quarterback Taylor Graham was at Ohio State for two years before transferring to UH in January 2012. His first two UH camps, the Warriors split time between the dance studios and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
"I don’t know how many teams stay in one or two rooms (for training camp)," Graham said. "To be honest, the first time I heard about it, I was a little bit surprised. But I enjoyed it. I got to know a lot of my teammates a lot of better than if I hadn’t stayed there. It was a huge benefit for us."
The players were kept busy with meetings, video sessions, study halls and entertainment such as karaoke battles, talent shows and movie excursions.
While the players have moved, training camp continues through Saturday.
"They’re not under our guidance 24 hours a day," coach Norm Chow said, "but they’re still in camp. There’s still work to do."
Depth chart to be re-set
Tuesday’s scrimmage was a final exam for players on the bubble. The coaches will re-set the depth chart and create scout teams that will simulate opposing offenses and defenses.
"Hopefully, the kids showed their best on film so those decisions will be easier," defensive coordinator Kevin Clune said.
Clune said there will be some "smaller decisions" made in the next few days. But evaluations of the first 17 practices of training camp will help determine "who’s going to travel, who’s going to stay home, who’s going to start, who’s not."
The Warriors practice Wednesday morning in Manoa, then are scheduled for a walk-through session at Aloha Stadium in the afternoon. That will be the Warriors’ only dress rehearsal before the Aug. 30 opener against Washington.
Sayles rolled dice
Wideout Terrence Sayles considers himself fortunate to be on the Rainbow Warriors’ roster.
His backup plan? "Actually, I didn’t have one," Sayles said.
Raised in Dallas, Sayles served in the Army and was discharged last year.
After participating in a walk-on tryout, Sayles was invited to spring practice.
He did well enough to earn an invitation to training camp.
"I rolled the dice," Sayles said. "I can’t say I won, because we haven’t played a game, but I’m on the team."
The G.I. Bill pays for his tuition and school expenses. He uses his savings for living expenses.
In Tuesday’s scrimmage, Sayles, aligned as the Z receiver on the strong side, caught a touchdown pass.
"I’m really enjoying myself out there," Sayles said.