Three University of Hawaii football players will no longer be participants in the hunger games.
After Monday’s 90-minute practice, slotback Donnie King, running back Marcus Langkilde and defensive end Ho‘oikaika Cavaco-Amoy were announced as recipients of football scholarships.
The former walk-ons will receive tuition waivers, textbooks, housing allowances and, more importantly, meal plans that include invitations to the post-practice training table.
"The ‘funnest’ thing we do is to be able to reward these guys who worked so hard," coach Norm Chow said.
King is a 2010 Kapolei High graduate. After redshirting in 2010 and playing on the scout team in 2011 and 2012, King emerged as the No. 2 slotback in training camp.
At 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, King is the smallest member of the receivers collectively known as the "Freak Show."
"All Donnie does is make plays," Chow said.
King said: "My confidence comes from my team. You can say this or that, but at the end of the day, I’m trying to play ball for my team."
King’s father paid for tuition, school expenses and King’s portion of the rent for an off-campus house shared with three teammates.
"I feel blessed," King said.
Langkilde was raised in Oxnard, Calif., and attended Whittier College before transferring to UH last year. The Bank of Langkilde paid for his school expenses.
"My parents worked hard their whole lives to give the best for me and my sister," Langkilde said. "It’s great to be on scholarship. My family will be so happy. I know a lot of tears will be shed, but they’ll be tears of joy and happiness. I’m really thankful for this."
The scholarships were announced during an on-field team meeting following practice. After King and Langkilde were awarded scholarships, Cavaco-Amoy was not sure there were any more gifts left in Santa’s bag.
"I thought it was over after that," said Cavaco-Amoy, a Waimanalo resident who attended Saint Louis School. "I was shocked and surprised when Coach Chow gave me a scholarship. My heart was beating hard."
Cavaco-Amoy said he survived on student loans and help from his mother.
After practices, Cavaco-Amoy would join other walk-ons in ordering mixed plates from a take-out eatery, or he would go home and "cook myself something."
On Monday, he headed for the training table.
"I’m starving," he said. "(Food) is way better when it’s earned. There are blood, sweat and tears on that field. I’m so honored to get this scholarship."
