KAPA’A — Financial difficulties and slumping morale was threatening the status of the only semi-professional athletic institution on the island. So what happened? The Cowboys got a new sheriff. The Kaua’i Cowboys of the Hawaiian Football League, once an entity
KAPA’A — Financial difficulties and slumping morale was threatening the status of the only semi-professional athletic institution on the island.
So what happened?
The Cowboys got a new sheriff.
The Kaua’i Cowboys of the Hawaiian Football League, once an entity belonging to team members, were officially sold Wednesday, March 21, to local businessman Rudy Bosma for an undisclosed price. The entrepreneur, whose other holdings are Two Frogs Hugging, Coconuts Island Grill and Bar and Hanalei Mixed Plate, said he is committed to turning the Cowboys into a viable product. With his backing, the team will now benefit from sponsorship and the promotional know-how of a man with a proven track record of building business.
“I want you guys to be successful,” he told members of the team in a meeting Saturday at Coconuts. “You’ve got some support now, so now you need to concentrate on getting it done on the field.”
Further legitimizing the direction in which the Cowboys may be headed was the presence of Mayor Maryanne Kusaka at Saturday’s gathering.
“These guys, we hope, can be role models in the community and show our kids that there are options out there,” Kusaka said. “Supporting this team and getting involved in sports is another way to keep our children out of trouble.”
As for Bosma’s decision to purchase the team, his reasons were many.
“I’ve had good fortune and been successful on the island,” Bosma said. “I wanted to do something to give back to the community. We’re going to do concerts and promotions with these guys, get them out into the community.”
Bosma is currently in active pursuit of a major sponsor, and has his eye set on a big-name beer company to lend its hand.
“If we can do something like that, we’ll be able to get to the point quicker where we’re paying these guys to play and making this even more real,” Bosma said.
The happiest man at Coconuts on Saturday may have been coach Al Ahloo. At 32, Ahloo has been playing football in the Hawaiian Islands for 10 years, and can now see a light at the end of what has, at times, been a very dark tunnel.
“With Coconuts and Rudy involved, he can now take care of the business side and leave time for the football things to me,” Ahloo said. “We’ve got guys who can win here, and we’re excited about what’s going on. We can play and that’s what we want to show the people of Kaua’i.”
The Cowboys went to the HFL’s championship game, the Tsunami Bowl, in 1998 and ’99, but came up short in each.
“We have veterans who know how to play this game,” the coach said.
Ahloo said he currently has 32 players on his roster, and intends to build that number to 45 by the Cowboys’ May 19 season-opener on Oahu.
“We’re looking to fill 13 spots,” Ahloo said. “We practice three days a week and encourage anybody who loves football to attend. You don’t have to have played before. We will take a look at you.”
The Cowboys practice on Tuesdays at Anahola Club at 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday in Hanamaulu at 7 p.m. and Thursday at Kalapaki Park at 5:30 p.m.
The Cowboys home opener is May 26 at Vidinha Stadium when the Winward Hawks come to town. Doors open at 5 p.m. with kick-off scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Hawaiian Football League sports seven teams from Oahu and Maui in addition to Kaua’i. Players’ backgrounds vary considerably. Ahloo said many roster spots are filled by former high school players, some who played in college and even a few “who played professionally somewhere.”
