SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

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kapakahi
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SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by kapakahi »

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/03/ ... holarship/
https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/foot ... gaya/20659 https://twitter.com/Brian_McInnis/status/1631761400577277952 https://twitter.com/StephenTsai/status/1631776490667798530 https://twitter.com/c_shimabuku/status/1631796110896549889 https://twitter.com/AHoshidaSports/status/1631799703162744832
Hawaii football’s Koali Nishigaya rewarded with scholarship
By Stephen Tsai

The Hawaii football team’s “spring” training ended with aha! moments for a redesigned offense, a more aggressive defense, and a scholarship for a 5-foot-7, 165-pound receiver.

During a team meeting on Thursday, Koali Nishigaya was beckoned to the front of the lecture hall with the pretense of having to sing. On the screen behind him flashed this announcement: “You’re on scholarship.” Teammates roared their approval.

“The kid’s well deserving,” coach Timmy Chang said. “I think everyone in that locker room will say ‘that kid’s deserving.’ He’s going to make plays for us in that slot situation. When guys make plays and add value, they deserve money and a scholarship.”

Even as a Saint Louis School receiver, Nishigaya said, “people doubted me. I’m small. I always had a chip on my shoulder. I was always the underdog. I tried to relish that role. Just believing in myself, trusting my technique, and relying on everything I’ve learned.”

Nishigaya said he received no football offers as a Saint Louis senior in 2020. The school’s senior prom and graduation ceremony were canceled because of the pandemic. Nishigaya joined the Warriors as a walk-on. He played in three games in 2020, catching two passes for 36 yards, and rushed for a touchdown. He suffered a broken foot in December 2021 and was not cleared to play until the middle of last season. He did not play in the regular-season finale against San Jose State to stay within the four-game limit for redshirt status.

“He probably wanted to play against San Jose State, but in the bigger picture, he trusted me,” Chang said.

Nishigaya said: “It’s been a long road, but I’m thankful my hard work paid off. I’m just grateful.”

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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by cabanalane »

Congrats. Numbers don't show. But I think he will be a scrapy kind of (local boy) leader for the team.

"poised to have a break out season in 2023" I think so.

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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by My3Cats »

No doubt well deserved. Congrats Koali!
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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by uhwarriors »

He looked good in spring practice and was with the 1s many times. Expect him to be at least in the rotation and possibly starting.

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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by kapakahi »

https://twitter.com/RobDeMelloKHON/status/1688414676756140037

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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by RedZone »

He has a knack for finding holes in the defense. Just need to keep healthy.
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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by anykine »

always open and has sticky hands.

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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by st808 »

knows the goals of the offense, gets separation, catches the ball, has speed, gets yards after catch. going to be fun this year watching the warriors. even more fun knowing a good showing will boost their pac4/mw membership.

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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by Duster »

Timmy had that connection with Gerald Welch at slot. A Brayden-Koali connection perhaps?

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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by anykine »

reminds me of jason-matthew sharsh.

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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by Palolo_2LA »

anykine wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 2:35 pm reminds me of jason-matthew sharsh.
Definitely more shifty , but smaller catch radius bc brahda has stubby arms.
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Re: SB Koali Nishigaya now on scholarship

Post by anykine »

Palolo_2LA wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 2:50 pm
anykine wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 2:35 pm reminds me of jason-matthew sharsh.
Definitely more shifty , but smaller catch radius bc brahda has stubby arms.
no can help.lol.

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