University of Hawaii running back Joey Iosefa was suspended for three games and stripped of his co-captain’s title on Tuesday in the aftermath of his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving on Sunday.
"I apologize to my coaches and teammates, to my family, to the university, and to our fans," Iosefa said in a news release circulated to the media on Tuesday night. "Coach (Norm) Chow constantly reminds us that it’s a privilege to be a student-athlete here at the University of Hawaii. I will accept the consequences coach Chow has laid out, and hope to regain the trust of my coaches, teammates, and the fans who have supported me and our football team."
Iosefa met with Chow before Tuesday morning’s practice. Chow returned from Los Angeles on Monday night after being with his wife, who is recovering from a brain aneurysm at UCLA Medical Center.
Iosefa, Chow and athletic director Ben Jay met Tuesday night.
A first-time DUI is considered a petty misdemeanor. The UH Code of Conduct for student-athletes leaves punishment for such offenses to the discretion of the athletic director. But the three-game suspension matches the penalties placed on former UH punter Alex Dunnachie and quarterback Cayman Shutter after they pleaded guilty to DUI charges in 2012.
Chow said Iosefa was "contrite, embarrassed and remorseful for his actions."
Chow added: "We have a set of core values and obviously he did not abide by them. After meeting with other members of the staff, the (team’s) leadership council, and athletic director Ben Jay, Joey will be suspended immediately and stripped of his captaincy. Everyone makes mistakes and we assured him the process of redemption and getting back to full participation begins today. Joey is a fine young man and is willing to pay the consequences."
Iosefa missed the past four games while recovering from a fracture in his right ankle. Before the arrest, Chow said, Iosefa was projected to play in this Saturday’s road game against San Diego State.
Iosefa was arrested several hours after the Warriors defeated Wyoming at Aloha Stadium. It was the Warriors’ first Mountain West Conference victory since November 2012.
"This is not a reflection of our football team," Chow said. "This is a reflection of one guy who made a bad decision. Did they go out and have some fun? I hope they did. They deserve to. They played awfully well the other night. … But there’s … a big line between enjoying it and going overboard."
