COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
Marc Ma, a 20-year old from Honolulu and ‘Iolani graduate, had been on a paddle board trip with several football players on June 10, when the group encountered strong winds off Lake Tahoe’s west shore.
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The parents of ‘Iolani alumnus Marc Ma — a Nevada defensive lineman who perished during a paddle-board outing on Lake Tahoe in June — have decided to turn down an invitation to serve as honorary captains for the University of Hawaii football team this weekend.
UH head coach Nick Rolovich, who was Nevada’s offensive coordinator when he recruited Ma to the Reno school, extended the invitation to Michael and Michele Ma a few weeks ago. UH plays host to Nevada at Aloha Stadium on Saturday.
The couple initially accepted, but then decided on Tuesday night to decline.
Michael Ma said he and his family “are honored and grateful for Coach Rolovich’s offer to serve as honorary captains. Coach Rolovich is a main link to Marc’s collegiate football experience. Being that this game may have been Marc’s debut college conference game, our family will be sporting Nevada attire, and do not feel it appropriate to accept the captainship for this particular game.”
He added: “Coach (Brian) Polian, the Nevada team, staff and administration had extended their unlimited support and assistance during Marc’s recovery attempt while in Nevada, and have become a large part of the Ma family. The Ma’s would like to be part of the Wolf Pack family for this game, and wish the best for both teams.”
