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Show WASATCH COUNTY COURIER A13 Cougar Football _ “Hula Skirts And The ‘Heber Creeper| age aerobics instructor. “We had all conditioned to run, but not with the intensity and struc- legend, ture of (Omer),” BYU quarterback © one Brandon Doman told CNN. “The second the whistle blows, we’re like like Lavell Edwards. an army. And boy, we were throwHe wasn’t just BYU’s football | ing up all over the place. But we _ were ready to go in the spring, and coach, but a stalwart member of the we've had hardly any injuries.” community and he’s an immortilLastly, Crowton took BYU’s old ized icon everywhere he goes. He playbook, ripped all but a few pages — represents everything that is good out, and devised a new system that — about BYU football and the univer-fooled teams like Mississippi state, sity itself. Alabama, Nebraska, and Cal when And, there’s no doubting the win_ he was at tiny Lousiana Tech. ning tradition he brought to Provo. His offense ranked third in the Since starting in 1972, Edwards nation at Tech, throwing for 12,746 — compiled a 257-101-3 record with a yards, 115 touchdown receptions, winning percentage of .716. The and putting up 60 or more points in Cougars ‘were among the most a game five times in his three year dominating programs of the eighttenure. jes and early nineties. _ Crowton is very much a hands-on Then, for a reason that’s anybod- kind of guy. You didn’t see him standies guess, the Cougars slipped into ing back during the recently complet- | complacency. It’s as if when Ty ed spring drills; instead he was up to Detmer left in 1991 he took BYU’s his elbows gutting old traditions and pride with him. Sure, they’ve gone to a few bowl games and the 14-1 _ work habits and showing players how 1996 team was as good as any, but the shiny new sports car of the to improve techinique. eighties has seemed to rust away higher graduation rate and wins on _ the football field? Will Crowton’s — and become the prized possession of a mullet-wearing rocker who’s banging his head to Twisted Sister. How sad. ‘Not to say that it was Bdwards< Ss fault, but the Cougar offense had become stagnant. It was a song that opposing teams had heard a thousand times before. There was no bounce in their step; no pride in play- er’s hearts. Athletes weren’t dedicated in the classroom, and graduation rates were slipping. Players also - weren't dedicating themselves in the off-season to workout programs. _ Enter Gary Crowton. Just a young whipper-snapper at the ripe age of 43, “he carried a broom the size of Mt. Sedimpanogos and was prepared to do 3 a little spring cleaning. First, he started the new “three | strike program” for academics, -where players get only three opportunities to mess up academically | before they are put on suspension | coach pro- here's not to many similari- gram that would exhaust your aver- replac- especially workout Will all this change translate to a __ face be chiseled next to Lavell’s on the Wasatch Moa when all is said and done? That remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the BYU football program needed a little spring cleaning and a breath of — fresh air to revitalize a once proud program. 6-6, 8-4, 9-3 are no longer accept_able. Crowton not only wants to win — the Mountain West-that’s small potatoes. It’s the national championship he wants his players to shoot for. “My personal opinion is that BYU and provo were in need of some youth and some energy,” — - doman said. “Coach Edwards was so great for BYU for so many years, but it’s good to have someone like - Crowton come in with his youth and his energy. He’s replacing a legend, but I'm sure coach Crowton will make his own legend some day.” _ _ Send your fan mail to our sports guy: ee ties County have and palm between Hawaii. trees, _ Wasatch The Islands we have pine trees. They have beaches, we have pastures. However, Hawaii volleyball player Torry Tukuafa has found a way to make them both home. Tukuafu, originally from San Diego, lived with his family in Heber City for ten years _ before moving to the islands to play on the University of Hawaii volleyball team. The Warriors were in town this past week to play BYU. | Tukuafu graduated from Wasatch High in 1996 where he was involved in basketball and football, and he attrib-uted much of his success to coach Bill me McGown a small called - University, Tukuafu felt it was time for a change of environment and weather-so he transferred to the University of Hawaii. “Coach McGown is one of the most influential people I've ever met,” he said. “But I was ready for a change, and we (he and his wile) thought | it would be good for us.” Tukuafo, an outside hitter, is now in his senior season at Hawaii. The Warriors have one of the most succcesfull volleyball programs in the nation. They're currently ranked number one in the country, and are about to head into post-season play. “We always have about 4,000 fans at our games, and every game is televised,” he added. Tukuafo is excited about bdie back in Utah to see friends and family, although moving to Wasatch County from San Diego was certainly a hard Farr and the work ethic he learned while at Wasatch. “Coach Farr used to ride me real hard, but the lessons I learned have transition. really carried on,” he said. “Everybody “It was defenitely difficult for the had a work ethic—that was one of the best things about Wasatch. It was the first few months, but once people got to know me and my family it was fine,” greatest thing that I learned while Iwas there.” | he said. “I'm excited to see some of my Wasatch doesn't have a men's vol-friends who are coming to the games— . leyball team, but Tukuafu played with I have only fond memories of Heber. It the Wasps club team started by former | was a tight knit community where I always felt safe. It's a great community volleyball coach Duke Mossman. to live.” Later, he played on other club teams throughout Salt Lake and attended Besides playing volleyball, T ukuafu BYU's volleyball camp under the direc- - has many other pursuits including stution of famed volleyball coach Carl dent government. He's currently in a McGown. battle for student body president that Tukuafu then decided to transfer to _ should be decided this week and will Kuhuko High in Hawaii to pursue his graduate in May of 2002 with a degree volleyball interest, where he earned in finance.. all-state honors before coming back to | And what about after college,i Tukuafo willing to trade his palm 8. ~ Wasatch in the middle of his senior year to graduate with friends. After high school, he caught the attention of BYU and coach Mcgown by earning 2nd team all-American on a for a few acres of pasture? Don't count on it. ~- “T love Utah, but ited cold. [ want to stay in Hawaii, ” he said. SPORTS CALENDAR “Wednesday, Apel 18: Soccer vs. Uintah at 3:30 p.m. | Track @ Park City in the pre-region meet. Bete in your sports questions to — and receive a FREE sandwich item. al ~ Union at : 00 iem. Tuesday, April 24: Baseball vs. Judge @ 3:00 p.m. Softball vs. Judge at 3:00 p. m.¢/ 1245 ney Main Heber City, UT (435) 654-6444 offered said. Although he enjoyed his one-year stay in Provo at Brigham Young Thursday, April 19: - Arby’ 5 and scholarship,” Tukuafu a easy off-season ry never an : ment . “They had been watching me, then ‘strength coach Jay Omer to imple- t’s ing a USVPA club team in Salt Lake. rr ‘ I RUSS RIGGS SPORTS EDITOR. _ or scholarships are revoked. _ Next, he hired Georgia Tech Tennis vs. Judge at 3:00 p.m. / : Ty a RUSS RIGGS SPORTS COLUMNIST Te Needed Spring Cleaning MERIT a NR EEN ee ne e APRIL 18, 2001. |