• Pigskin and paradise Pigskin and paradise By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island Although football is out of season as of right now, the topic came up with good buddy Zach Marquess, a Central Washington University football defensive
• Pigskin and paradise
Pigskin and paradise
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
Although football is out of season as of right now, the topic came up with good buddy Zach Marquess, a Central Washington University football defensive lineman and former University of Idaho Vandal.
Marquess, a first-time visitor to Kaua‘i, found out early on in his football career, that Hawaiians are a great to addition to any team.
The Wenatchee High School gridiron star had the chance to play with numerous Hawaiians.
Zach had two prep teammates from Hawai‘i, who were the hearts and souls of the offensive and defensive lines.
“They were not only excellent football players that were aggressive and could hit, but they were mentally tough and would not quit,” Marquess said.
Marquess remembers the times at practice, a 5’9″ 220 pound Hawaiian demolished players much bigger and heavier than himself.
“Hawaiians just have a fearless and reckless abandonment when they play football, which sticks out like a sore thumb and inspires players around them,” Marquess said.
While at the University of Idaho, Zach had a few Hawaiian teammates and two in particular, were standouts, both on defense.
He also remembers at Idaho, the time when one of the Hawaiian defensive linemen crushed a Washington State University player and caused a fumble, which turned the tide of the game in favor of the Vandals.
The most intriguing thing Zach learned about his experiences with Hawaiians is their ability to be friendly and laid back for a moment, and then be able to flip the switch when it’s time to compete at a high level.
“I really loved playing with those guys (Hawaiians) because they bring out the best in you as a football player and as a person,” Marquess said.
Besides football, Marquess also met a young volleyball star in the training room at Idaho, by the name of Mindy Marques, who is a former Waimea Menehune girls’ volleyball standout.
“I noticed right away that Mindy had to be from Hawai‘i because of her friendly, laid back, and refreshing attitude,” Marquess said.
Mindy played volleyball for the University of Idaho and is now a teacher in Arizona.
Marquess also noted that sports around the island are a family affair and that everyone seems to be connected throughout the Kaua‘i sports arenas.
“It seems like a place (sports games) where Hawaiians meet and celebrate their past times,” Marquess said.
As a first-time visitor, Zach picked up a lot on the culture by interacting with lots of Hawaiians throughout the island.
“It’s really a special place and sports are huge here, but it’s not a big surprise to me that it is that way, considering all the Hawaiian athletes I met throughout my career in the Northwest,” Marquess said.
“One of the things I noticed is that everyone talks about sports and it remains a big part of their lives.” A huge college sports star from Hawai‘i that Zach remembers is former St. Louis School quarterback and Washington State star, Jason Gesser.
“I can remember being really impressed with him because of the size of his heart, because he wasn’t necessarily the biggest guy, but he had the heart of a champion,” Zach said.
Marquess came to Kaua‘i with a lot of respect for the culture and especially the people, through his experiences with Hawaiian athletes, because they were good friends and they also played sports with passion and desire.
