Wanted: Missing UH football ‘punted’ into stands in 2001

Where’s the ball?

We’ve all said this countless times, right? With me, it’s usually because I can’t see a golf shot, or am hunting in the closet for a basketball I bought at McCully bike and haven’t used in five years.

This one’s last known whereabouts was the stands at Aloha Stadium, on Dec. 8, 2001.

It’s the football used in what was either the most famous or infamous "punt" in University of Hawaii history — when Craig Stutzmann kicked the ball into the seats after he had just caught one of Nick Rolovich’s eight touchdown passes in UH’s 72-45 win over BYU.

Craig’s dad, Bill, challenged me with a needle-in-a-haystack mission.

"Is there anyway you can track down the ball Craig kicked in the stands against BYU?"

"I could try. But I wouldn’t know where to begin."

"You’ll figure it out."

Actually, he eventually came up with an idea that might work, or will at least be entertaining: Reward money.

At first, he said he’d pay a thousand bucks for it. That’s when I suddenly remembered the ball sailed into the press box, and I’ve had it all these years.

After consultation with his wife, Ramona, and Friday’s events on the New York Stock Exchange (Bill works as a trader), he came down from that number, sort of. "What do you think? $500, $250?"

What I think is that regardless of the amount, how are you going to verify it’s the same ball?

"Details, details. OK, let’s just say there will be a financial reward, and I’ll trade whoever has it another ball, too. I’ve got dozens of footballs."

I told him the higher the reward, the more guys will come forward, claiming to have it.

"Well," Bill replied. "Do what you think is right."

What I think is right is to offer a million dollars. Because then I’d get even more wacky stories to choose from for a follow-up column.

"And, hey," I said, recalling a previous conversation. "I thought you were upset that he did that."

"At first I was," the father said. "My first reaction was, ‘Who do you think you are?’ But after I thought about it, it’s kind of cool that he will always be remembered for something."

I asked Craig, who is now coaching at Emory & Henry College with his younger brother and fellow former UH receiver, Billy Ray, if he’d ever heard anything about what happened to the ball.

He doesn’t. But he gave me more background to one of the most amusing moments in UH sports history.

"I knew since I played for the Kapahulu Raiders when I was 11, that if I’d ever have the opportunity to play for UH, I would kick the ball into the stands for my touchdown celebration," he said. "Prior to that drive I told my college roommate and close friend Matt Wright and a few other guys on the sideline including (trainer) Brian Wong to watch what happens if I score.

"A couple days ago some of my players found footage of that punt," he added. "They got a kick (pun intended) out of it and it sparked an animated 15-minute conversation about how fun football was for me when I played and how they need to enjoy their time playing ball."

So, we ask again. Anybody know where that ball is?

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quickreads.