Farrington running back Challen Faamatau was featured in today’s print edition of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. (http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/09/20/sports/farringtons-faamatau-is-in-hot-pursuit-with-a-purpose/)
The senior talked briefly about his college recruitment. Due to NCAA rules, he has not qualified academically due to his SAT and as a result hasn’t fielded an offer yet.
He is taking the SAT in November and December and can qualify academically for the NCAA if he gets a high enough score. If so, his recruiting activity could really increase.
“I wouldn’t care who would offer me, if it’s a scholarship where my mom and dad don’t have to spend a penny on anything, I’ll take that. They bust their butts and sacrifice,” Faamatau said.
So far, he has interest from Boise State, Hawaii, Washington and Washington State.
After the season, Faamatau plans to fly out to Seattle to take an unofficial visit to Washington and then head over to Idaho to look at Boise State. He’s also been in contact with Hawaii’s Nick Rolovich and other UH coaches.
Farrington coach Randall Okimoto believes in Faamatau’s ability to play at the college level. Okimoto was a running back for the University of Hawaii. Faamatau could be following in his footsteps soon.
“If he continues to work hard, not only in the field but in the classroom because that’s the key. If he wants to go to the next level, that’s what it’s all about. If he does that, then he’ll contribute wherever he is,” Okimoto said. “He has abilities that some players don’t have at this level that is for the next level as well. But also, he has to understand that the level of competition is higher. Because of his practice ethic, I think he’s able to rise to that challenge.”
Regardless of where Faamatau ends up, he won’t forget those who helped him get there.
“My dad went to a JC … He always told me that he doesn’t want me to go to a JC. For me to have a father like mine to tell me to be better than him, that’s a blessing. My mom and my dad, they work so hard to send me out to camps,” Faamatau said. “I couldn’t have all these coaches looking at me if it wasn’t for them. They sacrificed a lot of time to make money and send me out to these camps. Also great coaches.”
“Farrington doesn’t just breed good football players, Farrington breeds good football players that give back. For me, later in life, I want to come back and give back.”
this boy can run the rock for any D1 college..hawaii better hawk him before them pac 12 schools come knocking…very classy and humble… but yet furious and intense on field…good job faamatau
A minimum SAT score for NCAA is 820. That’s not very high. Hit the books hard, braddah. It’s too bad your coach never support you in the classroom. among other reasons, this is why Randall Okimoto needs to be fired.
Say NO to NOkimoto
Actually, my braddahs, NCAA minimum for division I is a 400 on your SAT. If you cannot make one 400.. all I saying is, I support all the govs players because that’s my alma mater. But hit the books hard so you can put yourself in one position to get to the next level!
Say NO to NOkimoto!
Where is Education First…They need help!!!!
As coach Price would say on his early years on OC16… “Hopefully he has the grades”
Hope he qualifies, would love to see him play for UH.
Keep em away from the dope & gang banging in the housing.
Hopefully he can get a SAT score & play ball at the next level.
How did this guy not get recruited by the ILH? I have always suspcted that those Div 1 players that come out of Farrington moved from Samoa to Farrington in high school, and so the ILH never heard about them. Like Jeremiah Pritchard, now playing for UH. Punahou wont recruit a plyer if they feel he can;t qualify out of high school. St Louis will take anyone, even if the kid has a juvenile record.
Sounds like a good kid. But I don;t give credit to Farrington. I get credit to the Samoan people. Fine people. I have had numerous people tell me out of the blue what fine people they are, with no prompting from me pressuring them to concede Samoans are good people. Just like Al Harrington (Alvin Ta’a), as fine of a human being as you will ever meet.
Good for this young man. Come to the mainland and play so we can support you like we do ALL Island Boys, not just RR’s. Come experience life off the crowded rock.
Should have concentrated on hitting the books earlier. At least if football does not pan out, he’ll have something to fall back on with the education. Mentality for players, especially in public schools, now a days is just doing the minimum to get by. Over 15 years of the same thing from Okimoto, there’s a reason why Farrington can’t get over the hump. Push the dang players to excel on and off the field. Time for a change in Kalihi.
You got this, Challen! Best of luck to you!
Good kid from good Aiga!!!!
as a youth he attended st louis
At Farrington, the coaches do not push the kids to hit the books hard and push them for preparing for the next level – College! Be it that they end up playing football or any other sport, they should care about the student athlete and help them get there. But of course they’ll only take care of their “favorites”. Don’t get me wrong Challen is a great kid that comes from a great family. I just think the coaches need to push ALL student athletes to get there not only the ones they like. Again, change is needed! Time to hang up your jock strap Okimoto and get out!
You people are EEEEEDIOTS!
One word: Fehoko
All FOUR got full rides. Why? Parents. They were all-in on their sons’ potential and futures.
I agree coaches should be all-in too. But the majority of effort has to come from players and parents.
There is no coach that can make a kid study. None. And SAT/ACT tests reflect how well an individual has prepared academically.
I hope this young man and his parents do what THEY need to do to make that a reality. Study hard and good luck!
@TooMeke
Your right as to say that the parents need to get involved in their sonʻs future for college and even get them there. What Iʻm saying is that Iʻve heard first hand from numerous parents in the past that Okimoto receives all these college offers for his players but, holds onto them and gives them at the end of the season or even in their senior year making it harder and definitely difficult for parents to even know that their child is getting a college offer. Therefore, YES parents need to take it upon themselves to get their son into college cause sure as hell Okimoto ainʻt gonna get them there. Unless, like I said your one of his “favorites”.
TooMeke September 22, 2016 at 1:44 pm
You people are EEEEEDIOTS!
One word: Fehoko
All FOUR got full rides. Why? Parents. They were all-in on their sons’ potential and futures.
I agree coaches should be all-in too. But the majority of effort has to come from players and parents.
There is no coach that can make a kid study. None. And SAT/ACT tests reflect how well an individual has prepared academically.
I hope this young man and his parents do what THEY need to do to make that a reality. Study hard and good luck!
For every 30yrs you have a few that make it from Farrington. Like Faamatau VJ was also at St. Louis than later transferred to Farrington.
Parents nowadays do not know what to do when it comes to their kids being student athletes. SAT’s is in the control of the kids & parents hands. But coaches should be guiding/educating these parents to what their child needs to do to qualify. Most parents dont know that the SAT can be taken as early as their freshman year & some dont even know what a SAT is. No matter what its ultimately on the kids passing/ graduating from high school & quailying through the NCAA clearing house. The parents can only support. If the kids or parents don’t have any ambition than talent is flushed down the toilet.
@mochiball don’t worry. Toomeke is good at not knowing the full situation of things and then vomiting his words out like he’s always right.