I commented earlier today on the TDB that Jay Toia in all likelihood left USC for UCLA because he thought he made a mistake signing with USC and liked the Bruins more, hence the quick switch to Westwood.
I’ve just received some very solid info IMO, that would indicate I was totally incorrect.
I’ve now been told by an incredible USC football source that Toia (93) left USC because an “uncle” of his demanded the switch to UCLA, and is apparently so powerful within the family that Toia moved over to UCLA because of this intense pressure — even though Toia really liked his experience at USC, did NOT want to leave, and also likes Clay Helton very much.
I know this may sound incredulous, and is too vague to lend any credence to for many (or may just sound like sour grapes), but I was also told that Toia literally had tears in his eyes when informing Helton of his decision to leave.
I can’t comment with any further facts about Toia’s departure situation other than to say what I have recounted above — that he was forced to leave by an “uncle” within his family, believe it or not.
__________
I see the blog has turned into a travelogue. I recall Kauai’s Coco Palms Resort and surfing its beach until my wife cried “Shark,” and I flew out of the water. Coco Palms disappeared after the flood. I stick to Waikiki– the Royal Hawaiian for the better half, and the warm waters and easy rollers for me And yes, it is amazing how the public likes to mystify certain matters– JFK’s death being at the top of the list. Why can’t Oswald have been operating alone– it’s not like he needed an accomplice. But imagining Oswald with sidekicks makes the… Read more »
The ghosts of Blue Hawaii and Elvis Presley still roam the Coco Palms. I somehow managed to stroll through much of it about 10 years ago. It was then I somehow discovered that there used to be a certain amount of severe head injuries on the large palm tree-laden property when it was open because of so many coconuts which would drop on people’s heads from way up above. This may be a giant falsehood for all I know, but I fell for it hook, line and sinker. When leaving the famous resort and former wedding ceremony capital of the… Read more »
I lived in Hawaii during 70’s/80’s Had a Jewelry store in the old International Market place Wakiki. Along with business on most of the outer Islands. Wonderful time to live there. Coconut head injury’s are by no means a myth. A few deaths a year were common then. I lived on the beach in an area known as Laniki on windward coast. When hurricane Iwa hit the Islands 1982 I remember clearly the night it came ashore. We would hear loud crashes in the night, frightening. Day break we viewed the damage to our home and neighbors. Coconuts had caused… Read more »
Thanks for the confirm!
It makes sense as some horrible, silent accident befalling a completely unsuspecting person. Boom. I’ll be on the lookout amongst crowded trees I suppose, if that’s possible. Crazy. So strange to have even thought of this coconut danger after all these years. For me, it’s all about the famous, but now crumbled Coco Palms, and all the very tall palm trees kind of squished together as I remember the inside of the property.
Coconut trimming is a big business at the resorts and restaurants. They have it down. Concerning the ‘uncle’ involved in transfer. Think about how often you hear of a poly player being a cousin of another.the uncle rises in each family group is the leader until challenged he has responsibilitie to keep culture together. I was president of a top 5 national VB CLUB in SD early 2000’s our star player had offers to every college power house, was a niece to Junior. We had her on club scholarship then about 4k. She wanted to leave to a super club… Read more »
Maybe the next “uncle” will have USC blood in his heart. As long as he’s not Reggie Bush’s step-dad, I promise not to complain. But I really am interested in watching just how USC tries to remedy its lack of depth, and even front-line talent, on the inside DL spots. The Trojans can get man-handled there IMO. Who knows if this 330-pound redshirt soph ALA transfer named Sopsher will even be healthy enough to play in 2021? He’s only been very vaguely covered from what I have read. There sure doesn’t seem to be any good buzz about the 2021… Read more »
Oswald was trying to kill Texas governor John Connally. Connally, who, when he was secretary of the Navy, rejected a petition from Oswald to reverse his dishonorable discharge from the Marine Corps. Oswald hated Connally after that. Oswald got off 3 shots as the car was moving away, one hit Connally in the back, the other 2 hit Kennedy (not the intended target). As simple as a lone nut job with a gun.
Jay Toia’s parents are from Tonga. They now live with this very influential Toia family “uncle” out here. I do not know where that is.
I am sure the elites on Tonga are drooling over the potential payday Jay Toia is going to get. His “uncle” may be able to rise in the ranks with a nice bankroll. The place looks pretty corrupt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonga
Current Trojan All-American, JR Tina Graudina (Jurmala, Latvia, 64-4 all-time record) is the first-ever collegiate beach volleyball athlete to qualify for the Olympics.
Toia is just now super-bolstering an already very beefed-up UCLA team. Talk about adding insult to injury!
As stated in WeAreSC.com (Erik McKinney) — “Toia is a young talent that joins a veteran, experienced group in Westwood. According to ESPN, the Bruins return 91% of their 2020 production this season, a mark that puts UCLA second in the country. UCLA brings back 95% of its offense and 88% of its defensive production. USC ranks 67th in returning production, at 69% for both offense and defense.”
Living in Hawaii, I 100% believe that story.
Feel free to expound on that. I’d love to hear more of what you might have to say about this @TireBiter!
A lot of times within big, tight-knit Poly families, you do what you’re told. Not saying that’s what happened here but possible.
I just wonder, like many others, why an “uncle” had so much more power here than Toia’s own parents. Lots of theories abound at this stage.
In Polynesian families, the term “uncle” or “aunty” does not necessarily mean a blood relative. Rather it could be used to describe a very influential or beloved person to the family.
This “uncle” must have been pretty powerful or beloved to completely unravel a kid’s life and literally force him against his will to leave an excellent local university, both on and off the field, in order to satisfy that “uncle’s” wishes. Wow!
BTW, I’m going to Kauai in Sept. I just love that place!
Me too — it so beautiful and compared to other more visited islands, Kauai is quiet too. (Does that sound like you and I are aging faster than we’d like? 😥)
I could live there. Since I first visited Hanalei Bay the summer before my SR year in HS in 1969 with two friends on the hitchhike, the island has held a special, unmatchable charm for me, especially the places I could go on foot only.
I can’t wait to step on that red soil again, and make my way to some hidden waterfalls, heavily forested canyons, and beaches. No other place like it, at least IMHO. 😊
I love Kauai too, but I would put Maui with it. I have been in the ground, on the water and flown over both and find both islands so amazing. Even though Maui has more traffic I have never had a hard time ditching the crowds on hikes or doing the downhill bike ride early in the morning. now for Toia, I agree with what has been said above as far as influences within Poly families. I got to know quite a few in high school and there can be very powerful people within a family. The real question is… Read more »
I’m still totally stunned at the ridiculously harmful timing of this all to USC football and our suddenly very lean DL, especially in the middle. This Toia family “uncle” could have gotten his wishes fully granted long before young Jay had already entrenched himself at USC, both on and off the field, and already very high on the depth chart. For me, the real question is why did this happen now? No one is talking about that because I asked plenty of questions. Maybe USC shouldn’t complain. After all, hundreds of terrific preps have gone to USC because it was… Read more »
Allen, Don’t you think the problem with the transfer is the condition of SC Football, not the transfer. Losing one kid should not matter that much unless your program is in real trouble. Jay was very much a canary in the coal mine.
USC needed him bad. Regardless of how he turns out as a Bruin, USC lost an important defensive piece they thought they had, but they really didn’t, and on short notice to boot. Pure subtraction. I think this is a major victory for UCLA here. USC needs to get to work and prove again they can fix a few more problems before the season starts IMO. This was just another hole on the USC team that quickly opened up. Helton’s job is to fix it soon, before it gets any bigger. As always, Helton is fighting for his Trojan life,… Read more »
I honeymooned there 30 years ago, so naturally it holds fond memories for me along those lines. 8 years ago, I accepted a job whose corp HQ is in Honolulu, and since then, my wife and I have flown over to the Islands around 65 times. It never gets old, flying from parched brown LA to tropically lush HI. Looking forward to emerging totally from covid and getting back over there soon. Allen, we’ve stayed in the 3 more popular areas of Kauai numerous times, but enjoy Princeville the most. We have a cliff-side condo we favor. Pretty much bliss… Read more »
I’m with you @volunteerTrojan. I think my first grounds-eye walking-in view of primitive Hanalei Bay and the forest seemingly sneaking through the special sand right up to the water, was the most physically beautiful sight I had ever seen — up until 1969 at least when I was only 17. It surely got into my blood and never left. I like all the various parts of it. Some of the better wild and older parts now are closed because of past dangerous conditions, and killer floods. But in Kauai, it’s still easier for me to turn the clock back because… Read more »
We were there 2 years ago, and they had a bad Spring flood that took some beach homes off of their foundation. We could only get down to Hanalei Bay. The road out to Ke’e Beach and the Na Pali trail-head were closed as the road was washed out. Should be open by now.
Queen’s Bath here I come! 😂 🤔
Don’t pass up Bubba’s Burgers in Kapaa and other spots. Love that joint.
I’ll still be chiming in here when I’m on Kauai in latter-Sept.
I guarantee, if I find myself at Bubba’s Burgers, even for just a look-see, I will let you know @Steveg.
Thanks for the tip!
And if the mood for pizza strikes, try Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo. You’re sure to find a CA license plate on the ceiling.
Met my long-term Georgia peach wife 35 years ago at what was the Sheraton at Princeville. Has worked out much better than marriage #1 of only 18 months. Both gals have the same first name….
Good things happen in Hawaii. I miss being able to go out there. It’s like a 12 hour flight from Atlanta.
“Good things happen in Hawaii.”
I like that. Very catchy. Sounds like a great vacation slogan. At least, I’m buyin’.
Congrats on your Princeville Peach! Great story.
I like Kauai but prefer Kaanapali in Maui. I still remember when my family took our first big vacation to the islands. We flew out of LAX via props. I think it took about 14 hours. We went to Oahu and Kauai. I remember flying into Lihue over cane fields- I thought we were going to land in the cane. I love Hanalei. We spent a week in Princeville about 20 years ago. Went to lunch daily in Hanalei. The water cascading off the mountain overlooking Hanalei was spectacular. Went back five years ago and all it did was rain!… Read more »
I enjoy the wet weather and beautiful cloudy moisture of the Hanalei side so much. Stopping off in Kapaa for a while, maybe longer, and the surrounding area is always nice. Lots of great, lesser known stuff close by.
I haven’t gone to any other Hawaiian Island outside of Kauai since I was in my latter 20’s. That’s how stuck I am on the place.
So many cool movies made there too. I might just have to check out one of the extensive movie shoot tours this time. I’m due for a refresher course!
I’ll be there in November. Save me some mai tai’s.