Kalaheo’s Two-sport Standout Heading For Annapolis

Wednesday - February 13, 2008
By Jack Danilewicz
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Army vs. Navy. It’s a game even the most marginal football fan can take an interest in. Bruce Andrews’ level of interest in the rivalry has always been a bit more than that, and last week the Kalaheo senior vowed to be a part of it when he signed a national letter of intent to play for the Naval Academy.

“The tradition, the atmosphere, the facilities are all top notch,“said Andrews, who chose Navy over Army, Hawaii, Cal-Poly and Utah. “My dad (Michael Sr.) was a Marine,so I grew up around the military. I’ve always watched Army-Navy, I know all about the tradition, but I never thought of playing there. It was an opportunity that presented itself.When I visited, I saw how well they support their cadets. I know I’ll be a part of something.”


The Navy program has thrived in recent years under Paul Johnson, going to bowl games in each of the last five seasons, while winning five straight from Army. Last November, the Midshipmen also ended a 43-year drought against Notre Dame with a triple overtime win over the Irish in South Bend, Ind. Johnson recently left for Georgia Tech, leaving the Navy program in the hands of offensive line coach and former UH player and assistant coach Ken Niumatalolo. It was Niumatalolo who recruited Andrews, beginning last summer at a Laie football camp for prospective college players.

“He was my coach there in 7-on-7 pass league, and we kept in touch after he went back ,“said Andrews, who was recruited as a wide receiver.“I feel real comfortable with him, and that was a big factor in my decision.”

Last fall,Andrews was one of the leaders of a resurgent Kalaheo team that posted a 6-4 mark - its best season in years - and an appearance in the OIA Red Division playoffs. Currently, he’s a key component on Kalaheo’s basketball team that recently completed a perfect season under Chico Furtado. With his decision made, he’s looking for a strong finish with the basketball team, which was to play Leilehua in an OIA quarterfinal encounter last Friday. The tournament continues this week with the title game set for 7 p.m. Friday at McKinley. The top five teams from the OIA earn the league’s berths for the upcoming Division I state tournament.

“I can enjoy it a little more now,” Andrews said.“I missed a lot of basketball when I made my visit and played in the All-American game, and my mind’s been on where I’d go. Now that’s all over. Hopefully, we can get an OIA championship banner. It’s been four years.”

On that note, the Mustangs’ focus has been crisp in practice of late, according to Andrews. “Everyone has a role, and everyone has accepted their role,” he said. “That’s what has made us a good team.”

Andrews’ role is that of a defensive stopper.“I bring intensity onto the court,” he explained.

Added Furtado: “His athletic ability as it pertains to defense is his strength. Bruce is a guy that can cover a good perimeter player.”

At Annapolis, disciplined is the word that neatly summarizes campus life. Andrews figures to be ideally suited.An “A"student throughout high school, he has also played for a pair of workmanlike coaches in Furtado and Chris Mellor (football).

“Chris came from De La Salle,one of the top programs in the country, and he brought those principles to us and turned us around,” Andrews said of Mellor. “Coach Chico is intense. He’s a great coach, and we all want to play hard for him.”


Some recruits spend their first year at the Academy in Prep School, but Andrews will “go right in,” he said. “Hopefully,I can make the (60-player) traveling squad.”

He will report July 2 for a “mini boot camp”- four weeks of plebe training. Football’s fall camp, which consists of the traditional two-a-days, will follow in preparation for Navy’s season opener in early September.

In the spring, Andrews will run track to help keep in shape for football. He also could be a permanent fixture in the weight room.

College signing day was extra special for the Andrews family, with Bruce’s older brother, Michael Andrews Jr.,announcing that he will attend Nevada to play for Hall of Fame coach Chris Ault. He has played the last two seasons at Arizona Western.

“He’s had the biggest impact on my life,” Bruce said of his brother Michael, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman. “He always looked after me, and I learned a lot from him.”

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