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COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
Marc Ma, a 20-year old from Honolulu and ‘Iolani graduate, had been on a paddle board trip with several football players on June 10, when the group encountered strong winds off Lake Tahoe’s west shore.
The parents of ‘Iolani School alumnus Marc Ma — a Nevada defensive lineman who perished during a paddle-board outing on Lake Tahoe in June — have decided to turn down an invitation to serve as honorary captains for the University of Hawaii football team this Saturday.
UH head coach Nick Rolovich, who was Nevada’s offensive coordinator when he recruited Ma to the Reno school, extended the invitation to Michael and Michele Ma a few weeks ago. UH plays host to Nevada at Aloha Stadium on Saturday.
The couple initially accepted, but then decided to decline on Tuesday night.
Michael Ma said he and his family “are very appreciative of Coach Rolovich’s offer but (we) feel loyalty to Nevada because Marc was a Wolf Pack player.”
Nevada retired Ma’s No. 59 for the next three years. His jersey is encased in the Wolf Pack locker room. Nevada also reimbursed Marc’s summer tuition, paid for his belongings to be sent to Hawaii, sold his car, and arranged for the memorial service.
Solid move, maybe Nevada will offer them to be captains?
Was surprised they didn’t ask …
Better if there was just some sort of joint (Hawaii and Nevada)remembrance at the start of the game – so that both teams and the fans can honor Marc and his family, and his connection to both.
Sounds good.
too bad, I thought it’s where you come from first.
I believe they are thinking about where they come from first. It is our island style of life you dont forget those that help you. In their case their choice is reflective or the way we live in Hawaii.
If he were still alive he wouldn’t be a Captain on UH’s team, right? He played for Nevada, thus the parents loyalty in that aspect. Although still a nice gesture on Coach Rolo’s part.
yeah, I respect the family’s decision but it would have been
nice for the local people who could not make it to Nevada
to remember Marc.
that’s all I’m saying.
UNR paid tribute to and honored Marc Ma and his parents, so their decision is understandable, and the right one IMHO.
Makes sense. It would have been pretty awkward for they to serve as UH honorary captains. Noble gesture, but Rolo should have known better. A brief moment of silence in Aloha stadium would have sufficed.
A very difficult decision, I’m sure. The important point is that Marc Ma will be remembered by both Nevada and the UH and I’m sure the Ma family appreciates their generous thoughts and support.
Just introduce the parents, have a moment of silence, and play the game in his honor. Avoid the issue of picking sides.
That makes more sense.
that seems the best compromise for both teams, parents and for marc ma.
yup
That would have been a more suitable situation but kudos to Coach Rolo for the sentiment.
I agree. Honor his memory, introduce the family, and let Marc represent both Hawaii and Nevada.
It sounds like a good gesture by Warrior head football coach Nick Rolovich, but I feel It was wrong to offer the “Captains” to a family that is loyal to Nevada, our Warrior’s opponent this Saturday. Coach Rolo has extended his Aloha for the wrong reasons.
Don’t know if the game was played in Nevada, whether Rolo would offer the Captainship to the Ma family than…..but no on our turf.,
Yap, maybe ‘Iolani could do that, since he actually played for them. Not UH.
Understandable. Why represent one team. Just be honorary guest of Nevada and a son of Hawaii.
A first class move by the coach who recruited him to play at UNR. Even though a recruit goes away, they are always considered “Hawai’i”. I truly respect the Ma family’s request to not participate as honorary captains but you can guarantee everyone’s thoughts an prayers will be with this young man and his ‘ohana! He represented Hawai’i well and displayed what it’s like to live with Aloha by doing what he did. #IMUAOHANA and go Warriors!
Perfectly understandable.
Waste of time ! Go win the game instead of trying to make nice !
Why troll this story? Both the university and the family acted with consideration for others, there is no need for trolls to attack.
Nice job SPCSC. What a piece of…specimen you must be.
Peace, love and respect to the Ma family. Malama Pono.
I commend Rolo for offering and I understand why the Ma family turned him down. Good thoughts on everyone’s part.
RIGHT.
plus one, Micah attended Reno, and they took good care of the family in a time of crisis, kudos to Nevada Reno and Coach Rolo
Nice gestures by both Hawaii and Nevada
serving as co-captains of the hawaii team would seem to discount the efforts of nevada to assist the ma family after their loss of mark.
maybe, rolovich should try one more time together with nevada coach polian to honor the ma family with the coin toss and a joint hawaii-nevada declaration of dedicating the game in honor of marc ma.
it would be really great to offer a trophy to the winner of hawaii/nevada football games to honor mark ma’s devotion to the game, his family home and his fellow student athletes. maybe a calabash bowl to symbolize the calabash connections. the ma family would be given comp tickets for the games at either site.
Heck, why not have both coaches agree to not play the game and have it decided as a “tie”. Then the players of both teams can hold hands, hug, sing songs, light candles then go home.
Rolo did what he felt was appropriate. The family accepted, then rescinded. They did what they felt was right. Let both teams honor the man as they feel appropriate.
Maybe the team on the first play can line up in the missing man formation as a tribute.