Ginoza testimonial a fitting tribute
July 3rd, 2008 by WesA week ago (June 25), got to attend yet another big high school-related gathering (fifth one in 17 days), this one a fund-raiser for Wai‘anae High School in honor of former coach and athletic director Larry Ginoza.
Hard to believe it’s been 24 years since Ginoza’s final season as Wai‘anae’s coach, but his contributions to not just the school but also the entire Leeward Coast community are still relevant and fresh in many people’s minds.
I’m guessing there were about 500 people at the Ala Moana Hotel banquet room that Wednesday night, at $100 a head. The money raised will help fund a project to upgrade Wai‘anae’s athletic complex, which will be named after Ginoza.
Plans include replacing the current weight room with a full-scale fitness center that can be used by the community. Right now there is no fitness center — no 24-Hour, Gold’s, Spa — on the entire Leeward Coast. Long-term plans also include installing Field-Turf and an all-weather track.
It is fitting, then, that the complex will be named after Ginoza, who helped make athletics — especially football — such a big part of Wai‘anae. It gave the community an identity, a rallying point, something positive to take pride in.
But most importantly, it gave the youth something worthwhile and meaningful to participate in, something they could learn valuable life lessons from. And for Ginoza, it was all about lessons. Discipline. Respect. Humility. Teamwork.
And oh, yeah, the Seariders won a lot of games, too. One hundred eighty-nine of them, against only 40 losses with eight ties in 20 seasons. Ten OIA championships, four Prep Bowl titles, eight OIA West crowns.
But Wednesday night, most of the speakers didn’t talk too much about the winning. It was mostly about the big picture.
Gov. Lingle spoke. So did Mayor Hannemann. Senate president Colleen Hanabusa. State Rep. Karen Awana. Former assistant and successor Harry Mitsui. Former Prep Bowl quarterback Victor Humalon.
They all gave testimony about what Ginoza did for Wai‘anae, the community, as well as Wai‘anae, the school and football team.
Actually, Ginoza was one of several coaching giants in that glorious era of OIA football, along with Masa Yonamine (Waipahu), John Velasco (Radford), Hugh Yoshida (Leilehua), Joe Kahahawai/Alex Kane (Kailua). These guys built football programs that not just won, but became the pride of their respective communities.
We’ve got some guys trying to do that now, but it’s tougher with so many competing interests (other sports, hundred-channel TV, video games, etc.).
But the need is still there. Kids today need direction, need something worthwhile and meaningful to participate in, something they could learn valuable life lessons from. They need to learn lessons about discipline, respect, humility, teamwork.
Communities still need a sense of pride and unity.
Coach Ginoza helped build character, helped build pride, helped build a community.
We need more guys like him.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:03 am
jackie robinson put it best when he said “a life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives…” ginoza, was a positive influence to his players & the entire waianae community so this honor is well deserved…
July 7th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
uda man. I wish i had known about it. the advertisement could have been better. I was fortunate to play for coach G. He was the last of the great old school coaches who were able to mold men into boys. its too bad lawyers and society have taken away the ability to mold kids using old school techniques. to build strong men, you often need strong techniques. the sport of football allows toughness to be taught.
Waianae was very lucky to get him as a coach. He could have helped many communities out there with his simple concept of team first. Imagine if principals, Ceo’s, or leaders use this simple concept. I’ve coached at a few schools to see how sports have changed. Div I and Div II still confuses me. Oahu schools should get the most spots because we got the most teams. But, we shouldn’t be playing schools with 1/2 the enrollment. I coached in California, population is the only consistent measure. C’mon coaches, use some common sense and build your weak programs. Outer island schools do well, but only in certain sports.
I track the OIA and ILH fairly closely and see how the new coaches and AD’s are politicians. Who are these new AD’s, popping up all over the place?
Delbert tengan.. Another great old school coach…Hmmm. too bad a guy who stepped up to oversee the 2 highest profile sports after Coach Lee, gets shafted for the AD job.
this transfer rule is Amemiya’s biggest mistake. Students now have a right to transfer. talk about loopholes. I give it one year. Public schools manipulate the GE rule. ILH recruits. You can’t blame parents if they are paying. Now, if schools are giving tuition waivers for athletics, that is wrong. Friends of Punahou… elephant in the room no one wants to talk about.
speaking of the team, you are an Iolani guy. how come if Iolani claims One team, their football and basketball teams are sponsored? Are their softball, Cross country, or swimming teams sponsored? I went to the nike classic, nice posters. wonder if the bowling team has one.
ok enough… got off on a tangent.
keep up the good work.
Seariders in da house!!!