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Three friends seek quarterback position By Leah Gouker Over this past summer, three young men roomed together in a Moi‘ili‘ili apartment. There is nothing unusual about that, except that the three friends are all vying for the starting position of quarterback on the University of Hawai‘i football team. In the upcoming game against the formidable USC Trojans, it is rookie Graunke who will be starting. Coach June Jones also plans to play Brennan, a sophomore player. The quarterbacks do not let their common position get in the way of their friendship, however. "Once practice is over, we're all chillin'," Graunke said. Rolovich said, "I would consider everyone on the team a friend. Some are, of course, closer than others, but everyone is pretty close. Coach Jones stresses that a lot, too." "During practice, there's competition," said Brennan. "You're working hard, trying to show everybody up. It's just the way it is, the way it should be. But after practice, it's all about having a good time." "We have to be around each other all day anyway because of football," Brennan said. Practice is six days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., with an additional practice on Friday afternoons before a game. "The easiest thing you can do is be buddies and friends and make it easy on everybody," he added. Graunke met Rolovich when he came out to visit before deciding to stay and play for UH. Rolovich was his host. "To be honest, it was my best offer, my only D1 (division 1) offer. Cool offense, good coaches, and I just had a good time," Graunke said. "I like to play football. It's all I'm really concentrated on; it's why I'm here." The Sept. 3 game will be Graunke's first on the college level. "I'm a little nervous," he said with a smile. "These guys are coming to our house trying to beat us, and we can't accept that." He says he is also feeling "pretty comfortable" with upcoming away games. Scholarships and lifestyle Both Graunke and Rolovich have full scholarships. That means that room and board, books, tuition and at least one meal a day (usually breakfast) are provided. Not everybody earns one, and there are no partial scholarships. Brennan is a walk-on, which means that he is enrolled as a "regular" student, and has yet to earn his scholarship. It may seem like a good deal, but being a college football player is a full-time job. Each athlete must maintain a 2.0 GPA to stay on the team, and a 2.8 to play in the games. Both Graunke and Brennan have mandatory study hall quotas to fulfill every week. Rolovich earned his way out by way of good grades; he currently has a 3.0. Rolovich, a history major, is taking 16 credits this semester. Brennan, who is planning to double major in history and communications, and Graunke, who is undecided, are taking 12 credits each. Practice, games, traveling; one might think that these guys could use a break. However, they say that while some teachers share that sentiment, others spare them no slack whatsoever. Rolovich says that there sometimes is an assumption that because they are athletes, they do not care about class. "Sometimes it seems almost negative," he said. "Then again, they love to see a football player work against the stereotype and actually show up. It works pretty good on your part," Rolovich said. Work and football Unless they have approval from coaches and the athletic department, Warrior football players are not allowed to have a job. These guys say that there would be no time for one anyway, and that they would rather "chill" in the little free time they have. "Sundays are great," Rolovich said. None of them seem to be concerned about their employment status. "How can that be a problem?" Brennan said, laughing. Playing football for UH seems to be the right choice. "I'd like to play football as long as I can, however it works out," said Graunke. Brennan also wants to play for as long as possible, but is keeping his options open. He says he has some ideas, including a possible internship for New Balance, but for now, he is focusing on going to school and playing football. Rolovich, on the other hand, is "not really too worried" about his life after football. "I have absolutely no idea," he said. He says he has three years of school (and football) left, and will think about it when the time comes. This seasons' goals As for this year, Graunke hopes for the best, and has set an important goal. "To look back at the end of the season and be proud of myself and not have any regrets; hopefully win enough games and get in the bowl," he said. Rolovich agrees. "It's a good way to look at things. If you look back and regret something, then it's all bad." Brennan says, "To be honest, I'm in a real surreal state here, about everything. I'm just waiting to see what happens and play." - *Tyler Graunke - *Jack Rolovich - *Colt Brennan © 2005 UHM Journalism program and students.
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