John Estes - Alec Waterhouse MVP Award

Hawaii senior center, John Estes, captured three special awards to highlight the Alec Waterhouse Memorial Football Awards Banquet on December 6 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Estes received the Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award, the Most Consecutive Games Played Award which stands at an NCAA record 54 games, and the Offensive Captain Award. The program also recognized 24 seniors who completed their playing eligibility.

Nearly 850 coaches, players, UH athletic department staff, and supporters gathered in the same ballroom that hosted nearly 1,000 people for UH football’s Centennial Celebration Gala just four evenings before.

Emcee and Na Koa president, Rick Blangiardi, opened the banquet by declaring that “everyone in the room, all of us, are one big team!” Athletic Director, Jim Donovan, followed up by thanking the players and staff for reminding us of an important lesson: “Believe!”

Each player received a letter based on his years in the program (see complete list at the end of this article). Each senior received a special gift, and each special award recipient gave a brief speech.

During John Estes’ three award presentations, he thanked his family, coaches, and teammates for the wild ride peaking on Bourbon Street. Of his O-line family he remarked, “…since I’ve been here it seemed like I was playing around the best players.” Estes gave kudos to the defense for all its hard work, as each unit pushed the other to the limit in daily practices.

Rocky Savaiigaea - Outstanding Warrior Award

The Defensive Captain Award went to senior linebacker Richard “RJ” Kiesel-Kauhane who was not able to attend the banquet.

Rocky Savaiigaea took the Outstanding Warrior Award and averred, “…this is not my award.” The senior defensive tackle dedicated the award to all the players he played with through the years and those who helped each other through this season’s adversity.

Senior slotback Jon Medeiros snagged the Most Improved Player Award and thanked his teammates “…without whose support this would not be possible.”

The Outstanding Scout Award went to junior offensive lineman Brett Leonard. He said, “Coming in as the new guy, there are a lot of players you look up to, and the 24 seniors (who provided leadership) will be missed…. we will try to carry on their legacy.”

Sophomore linebacker, Corey Paredes ran down to receive the Special Teams Play Award and said “I’m speechless,” before he nearly succeeded in running off without further elucidation. However, Coach Greg McMackin caught, and turned, Paredes back to the microphone where he further thanked his teammates, the “Sole Soldiers,” and Coach Chris Tormey.

Junior Greg Salas thanked his family and teammates in winning the Outstanding Offensive Player Award. He also thanked the coaches for moving him to slotback.

Junior defensive back, Spencer Smith a.k.a. HHH (Hard Hitting Haole) grabbed the Outstanding Defensive Player Award. He reported, “I don’t have any family here, so you (teammates) are my family, especially Kealoha Pilares and his family. Smith added, “I can call my mom and make her cry for not being here.”

The Ben Yee Most Inspirational Player Award went to Blaze Soares. The senior linebacker thanked his family, especially his father who introduced him to football, and thanked his teammates for being there for him. Soares played injured for much of the 2007 season, then suffered a season ending ligament injury before the start of the 2008 season. His status for this year was in doubt throughout the summer, but he played the entire season.

Blaze Soares - Ben Yee's Most Inspirational Player Award

Pre-Med major, Mana Silva, was named the Scholar Athlete, The junior defensive back sports a 4.0 grade point average and counseled his teammates saying “As you grow older, try and get your degree, it will make your parents proud of you.”

As the keynote speaker, Oahu Mayor, Mufi Hannemann praised the student athletes. He admitted to being “….biased towards people who played sports in their youth because you learn things on the field that you cannot in the classroom. The experience helps you to deal with adversity.”

Hannemann said, “People too often judge a season by the won - loss record, but you (Warrior football team) are my poster team when it comes to adversity.” He explained facing adversity in his own youth as his ethnicity, religion, and education stood against him. He advised, “…don’t get mad, get even!”

Hannemann offered seven “P’s” to maximize performance in life, and explained he has seven because it is the magic number to a bowl game next year.

1. Positive: Look at life as a glass half full, the positive attitude you use on the field is transferrable to other things you do in life.
2. Prepared: Be prepared for all situations, prepare to maintain your priorities in education. “I am tired of hearing that athletes are not intellectually astute,” Hannemann said.
3. Persistence: The key to success, Never Give Up!
4. Productive: Give back to your community, don’t wait until you graduate or make your millions, give back now!
5. Proactive: You can react to things, but it is better to anticipate, to be proactive. “The problem is not as important as the solution”, he said.
6. Patient: If injured, be patient, listen to your trainer. Be honest with your trainers, don’t tell them you are fine and return too soon and hurt yourself and your team further.
7. Prayerful: Hannemann said he prays about all the decisions he needs to make (i.e. rail, sewer system, etc.) Be thankful for the opportunity to get an education, and be thankful you have people who support you.

Blangiardi added six more “P’s” to get to an even more magic thirteen. He added, “….be Passionate; Physical; Protective; and PROUD; PROUD; PROUD to be a Warrior!”

Blangiardi also introduced a video summarizing the season to which he said,” …our guys (KGMB) worked hard on this video all night, but it is all the guys on the video that really did the work.”

Following is the list of letter winners by year, asterisks are placed after the seniors.

Fourth Year

Third Year

Second Year

First Year

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