College football can be divided into haves and have-nots.
Over the weekend, the University of Hawaii football team saw the improved conditions at Utah State.
On Monday, the Rainbow Warriors saw how the “better haves” live when they practiced at the University of Utah’s facilities. They are training in Salt Lake City through Wednesday before heading east to play Navy this Saturday.
The Warriors marveled at life on the other side. At UH, players are limited to one protein shake a day.
The offense and defense take turns using the weight room. The conditioning coach doubles as the nutritionist. They use classrooms as meeting rooms. Walk-on running back Jason Muraoka cuts teammates’ hair.
The Utes’ state-of-the-art weight room is stocked with protein shakes and sports drinks. The two-deck room is large enough to accommodate an entire football team. Each position has its own meeting room that contains stadium-seating with individual leather chairs.
Three dietitians take turns hosting the “fuel station” that offers energy bars and three choices of smoothies.
There is a cafeteria that primarily services the student-athletes.
There is a barber shop, complete with adjustable chair and shampoo sink. A barber is brought in to cut the players’ hair.
The staff includes a yoga instructor, who works in a large room designed specifically for yoga.
The players’ lounge includes wide-screen televisions, and tables for pool, ping-pong and foosball.
There also are areas for players to, well, lounge.
The equipment room looks like backstage at a Paris fashion show. The training room could be the set of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
In 1992, the Warriors actually had better facilities. Then donors started to invest in the Utes. The 2002 Winter Olympics brought in more donations and upgrades. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith donated $500,000 toward the $1.5 million in improvements in the athletic complex. It was only three years ago that the Pac-12’s Utes were members of the Mountain West Conference.
“If we’re going to get recruits and get better, we’re going to have to start mimicking some of these facilities,” UH athletic director Ben Jay said. “That’s the kind of commitment we’re going to need.”
The goal of upgrading, Jay said, “is why we keep battling the battle.”
DT MATAGIESE WON’T PLAY SATURDAY AGAINST NAVY
Defensive tackle Saui Matagiese’s injured right knee will keep him from playing against Navy on Saturday.
But Matagiese, a fifth-year senior, is not ready to tap out on his college career.
“Not until my leg is cut off,” Matagiese said. “I’m not giving up until they pull the plug. I’ll get my leg cut off before I give up.”
During Monday’s practice, Marcus Malepeai played Matagiese’s spot at defensive tackle. Malepai had split time between end and tackle, but said he feels “more at home” on the inside.
“I feel more stout on the inside,” said Malepeai, who gained 40 pounds since last year and now weighs 290.
Malepeai said Matagiese’s loss is difficult because “Saui is our boy. He’s the emotional leader of our team.”
Kennedy Tulimasealii, who did not play against Utah State because of a shoulder injury, took turns at defensive tackle on Monday.
This freshman season, Tulimasealii also had problems with his knee and fingers.
“It’s frustrating,” he said. “I have to get over it and keep working.”
WOOLSEY EMULATES NAVY’S TRIPLE-OPTION OFFENSE
Ikaika Woolsey was the scout quarterback running Navy’s triple-option offense during Monday’s practice.
“It’s kind of fun,” said Woolsey, who led a pro-set offense in high school. “I’m out there doing what I can to get my defense ready.”
