Cougars Junior Varsity head coach, Chico Gonda is a man with deep faith. He believes in God, his team, assistant coaches, Kaiser, and the community, with a conviction that is hard to match. He encourages the best in people and gets the best in return.
This past week, the Cougars defeated the Pearl City High Chargers 31 - 12 to finish the season undefeated, and move on to the OIA White Division play-offs. Gonda explained that he was waiting to hear from the Athletic Director regarding when, where and against whom the Cougars would play their first play-off game. Play-offs competition is single elimination, so these factors are crucial. Then the good news came. Sitting with two of his assistant coaches, Paul Kumashiro and Andrew Pangan, he was informed that the Cougars would be playing the Chargers in the first game on Kaiser’s own field; a home advantage.
Last season, the Cougars JV team had a 6 - 1 season, and made it to play-offs for State competitions, but was eliminated in the first game. At that time, Gonda was the assistant coach. This season, Gonda believes is the first time Kaiser has gone into the Play-offs undefeated. When asked what it takes to have a perfect season record, Gonda states, “We had to work like a family. It was a challenge, because when your family consists of 60 sons, with parents, aunties and uncles, it is difficult to make everyone happy. But I did my best, and could not have survived without my assistants and especially equipment manager, Nick Hironaka, who stayed late and showed up early, making sure to check the equipment for damages and keeping it clean for a ‘Cougar Pride’ look every game.” Gonda also noted that it was encouraging to see Principal Sosa at every game. Assistant coach Kumashiro added the importance of academics and how the addition of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program will help bring more sports-related scholarships to Kaiser, thanks to Principal Sosa. Towing that line means Coach Gonda keeps in touch with players’ teachers in order to keep grades up. Sometimes that means a player has to do homework in the locker-room during practice. “It’s academics first,” says Gonda. “A college education is what every students needs to be competitive and successful. Adversity is everywhere. A strong faith, sense of family, and a good head on your shoulders can make all the difference in the world.”
According to Kumashiro, it has been rumored that continued budget cuts might include the removal of all JV sports. This is unacceptable, according to all of the coaches because it would displace hundreds of kids who would otherwise be participating in some type of positive after school activity. Sports teach young adults many, many skills that should not be delayed until they are 16 or 17 years old. The coaches’ main focus is on mentoring the players by encouraging, teamwork, communication, patience, and a strong sense of support and kinship. The coaches already work for a very small stipend that they each re-invest into much-needed equipment each season. Every coach is clearly there for the love of the game and the ability to make a difference in the life of a child. Head coach Gonda says that local community support like strong ticket sales from alumni, and leagues like “Big Boy,” which allows players who are over the weight limit for Pop Warner football have a chance to learn the game, make a noticeable difference.
The coaches thank the boys from the bottom of their hearts for their commitment to hard practices, for keeping their grades up so they can play, and for stepping up when things were tough. The next game is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th against Pearl City, on the Kaiser field at 4PM. Tickets are $9 for adults.