Promise Kept

Hawaii football coach Norm Chow kept a promise to help defensive end Penitito Faalologo keep a promise.

Faalologo was a senior at Fagaitua High in American Samoa when he signed a letter of intent with the Warriors in February 2011.

His mother died six days before his graduation ceremony. He decided to delay enrolling at UH until January 2012. That delay was further extended when Faalologo, who was born in Western Samoa, had difficulty receiving a student visa.

In the meantime, Greg McMackin, who had recruited Faalologo, reached an agreement to retire as UH head coach in December 2011. With the coaching change and the expiration of the original letter of intent, the Warriors were not obligated to honor Faalologo’s scholarship offer.

"It was important to me that we fulfill the obligation," said Chow, who was hired as McMackin’s successor. "Knowing his story and the struggles he had and the commitment Mack made, we felt it was the right thing to do."

Faalologo enrolled at UH in January.

"I never gave up," Faalologo said.

He said his mother had been suffering from a long-term illness when she traveled from American Samoa to Western Samoa in May 2011.

"She died over there," he said. "That was hard. My mom wanted to see me graduate and have success in my life. She wanted me to go to college and get a degree."

He said it was a frustrating process missing two football seasons while awaiting approval of his visa application.

"Sometimes I felt like giving up," said Faalologo, who received encouragement from his family. "But since my mom passed away, they were like, ‘Don’t give up on your dream.’ I said, ‘OK, I’ll still chase it.’ "

He said he kept fit running and playing basketball and rugby.

Faalologo, who is listed at 5 feet 10 and 240 pounds, trained as a linebacker during the offseason.

He was moved to defensive end at the start of spring training. With injuries, he received extensive reps during Tuesday’s practice.

"I have a lot to work on," he said. "It’s kind of hard. A lot of it is new to me. I’m still working on it. I have to get the techniques."

Chow said: "He’s going to help us. His energy and toughness go a long way."