After a three-year absence, the University of Hawaii football team is hosting a two-day, three-session camp for high school players.
Washington and USC coaches will join the UH coaching staff as instructors for the Elite Camp on June 9 and 10 on the Manoa campus. The staffs from Oregon and some FCS and junior college programs also have been invited to instruct.
Because of an NCAA rule implemented last month, this will be the state’s only football camp featuring Division I coaches as instructors. The NCAA passed a measure in which high-school-aged camps involving Division I coaches must be sponsored by a member school and held on its campus or playing site. The rule is intended to localize satellite camps and eliminate third-party organizers. Each school is limited to 10 camp days a year.
UH ELITE CAMP
UH-Manoa campus
>> Ages: High school
>> When: 5-8 p.m. on June 9, and 8-11 a.m and 3-6 p.m. on June 10
>> Fee: $120 for pre-registration, $150 walk-up. Participants receive free T-shirt.
>> Requirements: Must bring own cleats, pads, helmets
>> Contacts: Call (808) 956-6508 or click here
UH YOUTH CAMPS
>> Ages: Kindergarten through eighth grade
>> Where: 8-10 a.m. at Kapolei High on June 5; 8-10 a.m at Laie Park, and 3-5 p.m. at Mililani High on June 7; 8-10 a.m at Kailua High on June 8
>> Fee: $20
>> Contacts: Call (808) 956-6508 or click here
UH coach Nick Rolovich said there were discussions about having a UH-only camp. But they decided to add other coaching staffs to expand exposure for Hawaii-raised players. The UH coaches also will work the USC camps on June 11 and 25 on the Trojans’ campus.
UH has coaching ties to USC and Washington. Tyson Helton, USC’s quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator, was a UH assistant coach when Rolovich and UH assistant coaches Brian Smith, Craig Stutzmann and Abraham Elimimian were Warriors players. Rolovich said he often seeks advice from USC head coach Clay Helton.
Washington running backs coach Keith Bhonapha is a former UH defensive back. Defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe is a Kamehameha Schools graduate and former UH special teams coordinator.
“This isn’t a money-maker where we’ll have 500 kids,” said Rolovich, noting the intent is providing exposure as well as teaching techniques and setting academic goals. The camp also will have sessions on NCAA rules and guidelines. “I hope they’ll come out as better players.”
The Warriors also will have youth camps at four Oahu sites in June.