This football season, Hawaii offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool has emerged in a featured role.
Vanterpool is host and producer of the “Big Mik Show,” a vlog on YouTube that chronicles his experience with the Rainbow Warriors.
Vanterpool has released 12 videos, including the road trips to Fresno State and Wyoming, with two more in post production.
The idea emerged during a conversation between Vanterpool and his roommate, defensive tackle Doug Russell. “Let’s start vlogging our day,” Vanterpool suggested to Russell. From there, workout videos expanded to behind-the-scene views of UH road trips. An upcoming episode will show this past weekend’s game against Boise State, Vanterpool’s first collegiate start.
“One thing I learned about the island is it’s a very special place,” said Vanterpool, who grew up in Arizona. “I think back to the day I was on my official visit. I walked off the plane and the air just felt different. I never felt air like that. I was like, ‘this place is special.’ I wanted to record my time here.”
A fan told Vanterpool the videos have been helpful. “Fans don’t get to come to the games this year,” Vanterpool said. “I thought it would be a good thing for the fans to come along (virtually) and be with the team.”
Crusader connection
It was a familiar scene when quarterback Chevan Cordeiro and wideout Jonah Panoke connected on three passes against Boise State. Cordeiro and Panoke have been teammates since Pop Warner, and then at Saint Louis School. It was Cordeiro who encouraged Panoke and defensive back Kai Kaneshiro to accept UH offers. Kaneshiro is now UH’s starting safety.
Panoke has been busy as a receiver, student, and father of two. (Cordeiro is godfather to Panoke’s youngest son,) Panoke said his mother and fiance’s mother have been helpful in taking care of the children during the day. “Being a father is the best thing,” Panoke said. “I come home looking forward to playing with the kids.”
Panoke and Cordeiro are linked in Saint Louis lore. Panoke soared to seize the game-winning, 53-yard touchdown throw from Cordeiro to beat Kahuku in the Open Division state title game in 2017.
“I still see people, ‘oh, you’re the guy from Saint Louis who caught that pass,’” Panoke said.
Don’t sleep on Turner
Here’s the “rest” of Calvin Turner’s story:
“Actually, on the way to the game, every game, I take a nap on the bus,” Turner said. “You can’t sit together. So I stretch across two seats, put my headphones on, throw the hood over my head, and just fall asleep for about 15 minutes, and I’ll be good to go.”
Turner has been used as a running back, wideout, slotback and wildcat quarterback. He has scored 46 of the Warriors’ 122 points this season.
