Pacific and the Pacific got to know each other even better this past weekend. Photo by James Perez for Pacific Athletics

Does it get more beautiful than this? Pacific athletics photo by Deborah Mundorff

Eventually, the final score will be forgotten. Certain plays will fade away. But the experience that players and coaches from Pacific and Occidental shared in Hawaii created memories that will last a lifetime.

When Keith Buckley was hired to revive the Pacific program in 2009, he knew he wanted to reconnect the football program with the university’s Hawaiian roots. There are currently more than 1,500 Pacific alumni living in Hawaii; over 100 current students, including 26 Boxers football players, hail from the islands. Years of planning went into what is believed to be the first Division III football game played in Hawaii, and the game went off without a hitch.

“This university took a chance in bringing football back,” said Buckley. “To see it all come together in a weekend in Hawaii was pretty cool. It was pretty awe-inspiring.”  

The teams practiced with Diamond Head in the background. They bonded on Waikiki Beach. They were feted at banquets. This was not your typical D-III game.

Senior linebacker Trey Kodama is one of the 26 Hawaiians on the Boxers roster. He enjoyed serving as something of a tour guide for his teammates from the mainland.

“For our teammates to embrace and be immersed in the culture was really special,” said Kodama.

Conversely, his teammates felt a sense of urgency to deliver a win in front of their teammates’ home crowd.

“For those guys from Hawaii, there was an appreciation for how special this game was,” said Buckley. “Our guys from the mainland wanted to do right by them.”

Even though the Tigers ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, they felt that the trip was well worth it. The players realized how unique this game was. This is the September non-conference game that will stick in their memories forever.

“The opportunity to go with all my brothers on my team was such an awesome experience,” said Occidental quarterback Bryan Scott. “I know I’ll tell my kids about it. It was very memorable. Even though we lost, it such a great memory and honestly one that I’ll never forget.”

While Pacific had a larger imprint in the islands, the Tigers also have several connections of their own. Offensive coordinator Darnell Arceneaux was a legendary player and coach at Saint Louis High School. He coached Marcus Mariota during the future Heisman winner’s senior season. Occidental head coach Doug Semones spent 18 seasons coaching at the high school, college, and arena league levels in Hawaii.

“The kids were amazed at how beautiful it was,” said Semones. “The most common question I got was ‘Why did you ever move away from here?’ For me to go back home and coach another game there was a lot of fun. Our players were surprised by how many people knew who I was.”

Senior defensive back Chaz Shizumura and junior offensive lineman Max Vinci are the two Occidental players who hail from Hawaii. Their teammates recognized how special this trip was for them.

“Saying we get to play a football game in Hawaii was so awesome for us seniors and for our whole team,” said Scott, who had visited the islands on family vacations several times in the past. “It was an amazing field and amazing location. It was beautiful.”

Mark Jacobson greeted Occidental quarterback Bryan Scott with a second-half sack. Pacific athletics photo by Deborah Mundorff

Although the game was on a neutral field, Pacific was the home team and the natives made them feel right at home. Governor David Ige and Honolulu mayor Kirk Caldwell proclaimed the week to be Pacific University Week. Pacific’s Board of Trustees held its annual meeting in Hawaii. There was a golf outing fundraiser, a ballroom reception, and a pregame party.

“It was awesome seeing the amount of red that was in the stands. We knew how special the trip would be if we won and how much of a bummer it would be if we lost in front of all these fans,” said Kodama. “We had to focus a little harder.”

The game took on a special meaning for Kodama. The Tigers and Boxers played at Kūnuiākea Stadium on the campus of Kamehameha Schools Kāpalama. Kodama is a graduate of Kamehameha. He looked into the crowd and saw his family and high school coaches. He played on the same field where he spent four years as a high school player, developing his tenacity as an undersized linebacker.

“They always believed in me and pushed me to be where I am today, so it was special to share this with them,” said Kodama. “For me, after the game it was very emotional to reflect on the last eight years and think about where I’m at now compared to where I was then.”

Upon arrival, the teams realized that they were the center of the local media’s attention. The game was hyped in print, online, and on local television news. Both teams had family and fans make the trek – if you’re going to attend one away game, why not make it Hawaii, right? – and were blown away by the outpouring of support from the locals.

“In D-III, you don’t see that a lot. It was a very, very cool experience to have that many people travel so far to see our game,” said Scott. “It was special to play in front of people that cared that much about both programs.”

The players were awed by the hype, but the coaches had to combat it. The teams entered this game a combined 0-3, with all three losses by single digits. As fun as the experience was, it also presented an opportunity to earn a much-needed first win of 2016. The coaches had to catch themselves at moments, too. Watching the sun set over the mountains and ocean from the practice field was a moment that took away the breath of even the most focused coach.

“Our kids did an incredible job. This game was rife with the opportunity to be distracted,” said Buckley. “We needed this one. Our kids really understood what we were asking of them.”

Both coaches enjoyed returning to Hawaii and sharing it with their players. Some got to come home – Pacific’s Hawaiian players were allowed to stay on the island until Monday – and others got to experience the beauty of Hawaii for the very first time. A return trip is not out of the question.

“If Pacific does it again, I told them we’re in,” said Semones. He then joked about his players, “I’ll remind them about who took them to Hawaii for a while. As we like to say, ‘Hell of a deal!’”

Buckley wants to make this game happen again in four or five years. Administrators from both schools were very supportive. The costs prohibit this from becoming an annual event, but Pacific hopes to be able to offer the experience again to a new batch of football players in the future. The atmosphere exceeded expectations.

“I think years down the line, all the guys will look back on how special of an opportunity this was to kind of take over the island for a day,” said Buckley. “It grew into something bigger than I even anticipated.”

In typical D-III fashion, the Tigers took a red eye flight on Sunday night and arrived back in Los Angeles in time to attend classes on Monday morning. They returned to Occidental with memories that will be cherished forever.

“We are very fortunate and very blessed to be able to go to Hawaii as a team,” said Scott. “There’s just so many things that I won’t forget, even though it was a loss and that’s very tough as a quarterback. I’ll remember every part of it. It was unbelievable.”

Oh, and in case you were curious, the Boxers won, 45-22.

How it happened

Buckley’s first call about the game, about two and a half years ago, was to Semones. He knew the connection Semones and his Tigers staff have to the islands. But how did Semones wind up coaching in Hawaii for 18 years in the first place?

Semones was high school teammates with Vai Sikahema in Mesa, Ariz. While Semones ended up playing at Cal Lutheran, Sikahema became a star at BYU, then enjoyed an eight-year NFL career. When Sikahema made the Pro Bowl, he invited his former lead blocking back from high school to accompany him to Hawaii. Semones instantly fell in love with the islands.

“I was amazed at how beautiful it was” he said.

Semones asked if they needed teachers and coaches on the islands. When he found out about the opportunities there, he asked his girlfriend if she wanted to get married and move to Hawaii. Doug and Linda enjoyed 18 years on the islands, raised two children, and remain married 26 years later.

So, Vai Sikahema played a major role in making this game happen.

Photo by Joe Fusco, d3photography.com

Players’ Corner

Every Division III player has a personal story about the game and what it means to him. This week, we get to know Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Haston Adams. The defensive lineman delivered the season’s first D-III Piesman Trophy moment in the Cru’s big win over Linfield on Saturday. His first answer might surprise you, but it may also affirm why the Crusaders are consistent championship contenders.

In all honesty I fell in love with football freshman year here at Mary Hardin-Baylor. Growing up all the way through high school I was always more into basketball. I just played football because I was bigger than everyone else.

I love everything about football now. I love being able to compete and physically dominate with my teammates the most.

As part of my attempt to rekindle a love for football, I’ll be reaching out to players all season long to give them space to explain why they love the game. If you or someone you know would like to be featured in Players’ Corner this year, please reach out to me at any time.

What do you know? Do you know things? Let's find out!

There are so many worthy stories to be told and I can’t find them all on my own. Please share with me those stories that make you passionate about D-III football. If you have suggestions for next week's column, please reach out to me on Twitter at @adamturer or via email at adam.turer@d3sports.com. Thanks for reading!