Fifteen months after signing a letter of intent, former Dominguez High (Calif.) lineman Dejon Allen arrived in Honolulu.

"It's a good feeling," Allen said. "I'm proud to be on the island."

Allen's arrival was postponed a year while he tried to earn an NCAA-qualifying score on the ACT. UH coach Norm Chow reserved a scholarship for Allen.

"Norm Chow told me to keep fighting, don't give up," Allen said. "I listened, and now I'm here. It took me a while to get here, but I'm here, and I'm ready to fight for a position, and get ready for (season-opening opponent) SC."

Allen will compete at defensive end when training camp opens in August.

Allen arrived yesterday, then went to the Manoa campus to fill out the paper work to attend Summer Session I.

After that, he went to eat.

"My first meal was — how would you call it? — a loco moco or something like that," Allen said. "It was pretty good."

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Avis has selected DPK as the winner of the T-shirt.

It's Wednesday. This is what I think:

• If you're going to complain about the lack of coverage of the good things about your university, why then waste 30 minutes of commercial-free television time talking so much about the "least significant thing that has happened" in the past four years? It should be no surprise that the ride was bumpy considering the number of people thrown under the bus.

• Perceived success elsewhere doesn't equate to success here.

• Former UH punter Alex Dunnachie is making the right career choice in moving to the mainland to train. He has no tryouts in place. But an opportunity can open at any time, and he is a very good punter. Dunnachie departs today.

• It's back to school for former UH quarterback Cayman Shutter — this time to the University of Regina. Shutter, who recently earned a bachelor's degree from UH, will be able to work on the Canadian football game for a season. Shutter, a Canadian citizen, was not selected in the recent CFL draft. He should improve his stock playing for Regina this year.

• Brian Urlacher's recently completed NFL career is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. It also furthers the argument that the WAC had some pretty good players. There are seven former WAC players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ladainian Tomlinson should make it eight.

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Avis has selected UHBooster as the winner of the T-shirt.

Please e-mail me at stsai@staradvertiser.com

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Another day, another shirt giveaway.

For today's contest, please post one thing good about the University of Hawaii.

Avis will pick a winner.

For quarterback Jeremy Higgins, the reward for an impressive spring training is a football scholarship.

"I'm very thankful to coach Chow," Higgins said.

Chow said: "He kept thanking me. I said, 'Jeremy, I don't do favors. You earned this.'"

Indeed, Higgins proved deserving during the past spring training. Higgins, who started one game as a third-year sophomore in 2012, had been told that Taylor Graham and Ikaika Woolsey would get the majority of snaps during spring ball. Higgins took advantage of his opportunities, repeatedly leading scoring drives during scrimmage-like drills.

Graham exited spring drills atop the depth chart. But Higgins and Sean Schroeder, who did not practice this spring following back surgery, were bracketed at No. 2. Chow has said he will evaluate the position this summer.

Higgins, a Saint Louis School graduate, relinquished a scholarship when he transferred from Utah State to join the Warriors as a walk-on in 2011. He redshirted that year in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. UH was able to offer Higgins a scholarship at this time because he completed two years in the program. Walk-ons with that much time in a program can be upgraded without the scholarship counting against the 25-initial limit.

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What was your guess — 10, 20, maybe as high as 30?

It was a pleasant surprise that the majority of Warriors — 56 — had GPAs of 3.0 or better this past spring semester.

"That's why they're here," Chow said.

Chow  praised the academic support staff, as well as the coaches who do constant grade assessments and daily classroom checks. Chow also had imposed a rule in which a walk-on needed to have at least a 2.5 GPA.

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Avis has selected Bembu22 as the winner of the tank-top.

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We have another tank-top to offer. Today's entry phrase is: I am Savo

Avis will chose a winner.

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Back story: UH basketball player Predrag "Savo" Savovic missed two free throws near the end of regulation. He then dominated in overtime. Asked about the sequence, Savovic said: "I am Savo."

The next game, there were "I am Savo" signs held at each side of the arena.

Happy birthday, Savo.

During this past weekend's meetings with Under Armour officials, head coach Norm Chow worked on the "Rainbow" Warriors' travel itinerary for the Nov. 9 game against Navy in Annapolis, Md.

The "Rainbow" Warriors, who play at Utah State on Nov. 2, will stay in Salt Lake City through Wednesday, Nov. 6. They will travel by charter flight to the East Coast that day, then check into a Maryland hotel bordering Washington D.C.

Chow said tentative plans call for three excursions to D.C., with stops at the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and Capitol building. There are people trying to schedule a visit with President Obama.

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The nickname is changing to "Rainbow" Warriors, but there will be no change in appearance for the football team.

They will retain the same uniforms (no rainbow stripes), helmets (dark green, not white) and "Fight Like A Warrior" motto. They also will continue to perform the haka.

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It appears that all of the "Rainbow" Warriors on the spring football roster exited the spring semester in good academic standing.

A great measure of credit goes to the academic counselors.

One of the best — Sara Nunes-Atabaki — is retiring. She's smart, patient and supportive. Most of all, she cares deeply about each student-athlete. We wish her the best.

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Avis has selected SteveM as the winner of the T-shirt.

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Beat the heat? Today's prize is a Rainbow Warrior tanktop.

To enter, please post: Happy birthday, Devon James Tsai

Avis will pick a winner.

The (Rainbow) Warriors and Pittsburgh Steeler All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu will team this summer to work football clinics in American Samoa.

For several years, Polamalu has been trying to promote football in that area.

Defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer, linebacker coach Tony Tuioti and offensive assistant Ed Ta‘amu will represent the Warriors.

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Avis has selected Wafan as the winner of the T-shirt.

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Today's prize is another T-shirt. To enter the drawing, please post: Happy birthday, D-1shima

Avis will select a winner.

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We also extend birthday wishes to Bill Stutzmann Sr. and Peaches.