Diehard Boston Fan, HPA’s Stephen Perry

Steve Perry

It never ceases to amaze me with the quality of athletic talent we have here on Hawai’i Island.

Many of these outstanding athletes go on to share their knowledge with young people which makes for a community we can all be proud of.

It just happens that one of these individuals is also an avid Boston fan.

“I grew up in the New England area and I am a diehard Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics fan,” Stephen Perry said.

Perry is best known to all followers of Big Island Interscholastic Federation sports as the athletic director at Hawaii Preparatory Academy.

“I don’t see the job of AD at HPA as being stressful,” he said.  “I see it as one that needs organization and planning.  The key is to be surrounded by good people (coaches) who know how to get the most out of our student athletes.”

Perry knows firsthand what it takes to be a good student athlete as he played soccer, hockey and baseball for four years in high school at Governor Dummer Academy in Massachusetts.

“I always played sports growing up,” Perry said.  “There are four boys and a girl in our family and all were involved in a variety of sports when we were young.”

Perry went on to play collegiately at St. Lawrence University in New York where he played two years on the hockey team and one year with the soccer squad.

After graduating from college Perry landed a job as a math teacher at Hawaii Prep in 1983 and has been here ever since.

“I came to Hawaii right out of college, thinking I’d only come for a year,” Perry said.  “Now, 28 years later I’m still having fun.”

Perry was fortunate enough to become the baseball and soccer coach during his first year at HPA and went on to serve another five years at the baseball helm and an additional 17 years as the boy’s soccer coach.

“I became the Athletic Director in 1990 and I’m still coaching the girl’s soccer team for the past 17 years,” he said.

But unless you’ve seen him on the links you wouldn’t know that Perry is a 4 handicap golfer.

“These days on a good day I play at 4 handicap,” he said.  “There are so many good golf courses on the Big Island, but I would always enjoy the challenge of Mauna Kea Beach if given the opportunity.”

Perry got involved with junior golf about a dozen years ago when the HSJGA started up in Hawaii.

“Mary Bea Porter King, the president of the HSJGA, opened my eyes to the USGA Junior Am Committee and to Rules of Golf workshops,” Perry said.  “I have officiated many tournaments around Hawaii over the past decade and also work at the USGA Junior Am Championship on the mainland each July.”

Perry, who is married to Robyn for the past 19 years have four children Justin (14), Julia (12), Jenna (9), and Jordan (7) who all are active in sports participation.

Perry continues to take care of himself by using the treadmill each morning before heading to work.

“I get on the treadmill for 30 to 40 minutes each day,” Perry said.  “With coaching soccer I get to run around on the pitch with the players, some, but not as much as I used to years ago.”

As for diet Perry claims he has a boring one that works well for him.

“For breakfast its cereal with fruit and for lunch I’ll have a sandwich everyday of either turkey, ham or tuna, with Subway always being a good option” he said.  “I like to have dinner at home with the family whenever possible and chicken with pasta is a personal favorite.”

Perry’s health related goals are simple.

“I’d like to stay active as much as possible,” he said.  “Walking 18 holes instead of riding a cart and kicking the soccer ball around with my children whenever possible.”

Perry is a good example of someone who has a busy job that takes good care of himself while making positive contributions to young people and the community.

It is of little surprise that he was selected along with six other individuals to be recognized by the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame later this month.  

The BISHF will have a ceremony at the Wall of Fame in the Prince Kuhio Mall on Sunday, August 21 at 10:30 am to induct Perry and the six other deserving selections.

“We will introduce the seven and display their photos to the wall,” BISHF selection committee chair Derek Shigematsu said.  “We are hoping that past inductees and the general public will come out to support the newly inducted honorees.”

Following the Wall dedication the ceremony will move to a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon were a formal ceremony will take place.

For those interested in attending the luncheon the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under.  Seating is limited.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519.

The late Jack Matsui was the founder of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.

And someday should you happen to see a happy jogger attending a Hall of Fame luncheon remember to smile, say “woof” and never shy away from “Running with the Big Dog.”

Email the Big Dog at waiakeabigdog@aol.com

 

 

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Pedal Till Ya Puke has numerous swimmers – Full Results

Pedal Till Ya Puke  August 7, 2011 Held Sunday in Kailua-Kona    NAME DIVISION TIME

Lucas Azevedo 25-29 21:08   Fernando Villanova 25-29 21:11   Leonardo Pereira 25-29 21:19

Grant Uekawa 15-19 21:47   Noe Vargas 20-24 22:11   Kylie Burgess 15-19 22:13

Madison-Gail Hauanio 15-19 22:19   Ren Kuwaye-Tamanaha 15-19 22:27   Nakana Rivera 30-34 22:39

Kaiea Cann 15-19 22:53   Jeff Maki 35-39 22:56   Mark Noetzel 45-49 23:07

Madisyn Uekawa 15-19 23:34   Merceda Rivera 25-29 23:39   James McCleery 65-69 23:43

Jessica Kirkwood 25-29 23:47   Akemi King 15-19 23:50   Kinney Gandall 15-19 23:58

Bradley Keoki Young 20-24 23:59   Jim Mellon 45-49 24:24  Teddy Uekawa 10-14 24:26

Kepa Weller 15-19 24:27   Brian Zaborski 20-24 24:36   Sarina Wyrick 10-14 24:41

Susan Groff 45-49 24:56   Jacob Williams 15-19 25:15   Akila Weber 15-19 26:10

Likeke Sawyer 25-29 26:12   Jim Budde 65-69 26:14   Uluboy Napeahi 10-14 26:17

Phillip Kissinger 25-29 26:23   Rob Van Geen 45-49 26:53   Riley Young 25-29 27:07

Jessica Hartong 25-29 27:19   Kaleo Jack 15-19 27:20   Bodhi Whitmore under 10 27:22

 Ron Whitmore 40-44 27:26   Alfred Kent 55-59 27:57   Robert Belcher 55-59 28:15

Jermaine Estabilio 30-34 28:17   Sara Hussey 35-39 28:21   Mark Grant 25-29 28:23

Lauren Solodky 25-29 28:31   Aleja Rivera 35-39 28:32   Teagan Rutkowski 10-14 28:34

Nolan Yamaki 30-34 28:36   Kaili Roach 20-24 28:41   Yoko Hayano 45-49 28:44

Susan Cordell 45-49 28:52   Kara Paulachak 15-19 29:00   Kai White 35-39 29:16

Stan Cann 55-59 29:41   Ricci Bezona 45-49 29:43   Gary Myers 55-59 29:44

Steve Dailey 55-59 29:57   Erin Gallagher 45-49 30:11   Sam Martin-Ekings 55-59 30:12

Aaron Castillo 30-34 30:13   Mark Golden 50-54 30:15   Xanthe Smith 45-49 30:16

Melissa Harmeling 30-34 30:20   Kailani Carpenter 50-54 30:22   Rebecca Mansfield 30-34 30:28

Rob Lee 35-39 30:32   Peter Mott 60-64 30:33   Griffith Yamaguchi 55-59 30:34

Bill Sakovich 65-69 30:36   Donald Jack 50-54 30:37   Jim Haefner 60-64 30:39

Lauren Kerr 15-19 30:43   Kelsey Kumiji 30-34 30:49   Ron Hagg 60-64 30:54

Jennifer Randall 40-44 31:00   G:A: Rock 60-64 31:06   Helie Rock 55-59 31:08

Gerard Callo 45-49 31:09   Jim Kraus 60-64 31:23   Richard Kerr 15-19 31:25

Tom Goltz 65-69 31:29   Lee Otani 55-59 31:32   Israel Gonzales 40-44 31:34

Don Perea 40-44 31:35   Nicole Paulachak 15-19 31:37   Brian Smith 50-54 31:47

Jarett Waipa 20-24 32:24   Norman Uchida 60-64 32:26   Andrea Hess 40-44 32:28

Paul Kekela 25-29 32:31   Syd Zoll 20-24 32:33   Mike Donahoe 60-64 32:41

Barret Schlegelmilch 20-24 33:08   Jean Sakovich 65-69 33:09   Kapua Sawyer 30-34 33:12

Rebecca Ostertag 40-44 33:17   Sarah Marshall 35-39 33:18   Diana Machado 40-44 33:19

Dennis Osier 70-and-over 33:20   Charles Keane 55-59 33:24   Tamar Elias 50-54 33:26

Joanne Berryman 55-59 33:32   Daniel Berg 55-59 33:37   Daniel Hartong 25-29 33:41

Richard Oehlman 55-59 33:42   Sandy Schuffler 55-59 33:44   Mike Fairchild 50-54 33:45

Chad Marote 50-54 33:49   Trent Hanzawa 25-29 33:51   Lisa Soares 45-49 33:53

Michelle Ross 45-49 33:55   Fuzzy Faridi 50-54 33:58   Weston Willard 30-34 34:06

Emma Laliberte under 10 34:15   Lisa Akane 55-59 34:16   Jeffery Case 50-54 34:17

Tia Anthony-Case 25-29 34:19   Kimia Hangafarin 15-19 34:20   Jan Wilson 55-59 34:30

Christina Dhillon 45-49 34:32   Jo Duerksen 50-54 34:37   Helen Wong Smith 50-54 34:47

Jeff Girdner 50-54 34:54   Keoni Fujitani 55-59 35:03   Eva Naniole 55-59 35:16

Helena Brandfors 35-39 35:25   Dariush Hangafarin 15-19 35:27   Gary Bartolome 65-69 35:28

Samson Castillo 25-29 35:33   Roland Laliberte 40-44 35:34   Christine McMahan 25-29 35:39

Sage Barcia 15-19 35:44   Calvin Serain 35-39 35:53   Kekoa Harmon 30-34 35:56

Adolf Camblor 55-59 35:57   Chloe Hughes under 10 36:15   Flint Hughes 45-49 36:19

Sheareen Gedayloo 50-54 36:3   Alexander Cyran 50-54 36:32   Michael Blankenbecler 60-64 36:34

Mary Bowman-DeMent 55-59 36:38   Naolionalani Weller 20-24 36:48   Laura Schuster 55-59 36:54

Elizabeth Oberhausen 25-29 36:56   James McKeague 60-64 37:01   Andrew Layus 40-44 38:04

Kevin Lubbess 40-44 38:05   Elise Kerr 45-49 38:06   Claudine Fujii 55-59 38:16

Shadi Faridi 25-29 38:25   Heanu Weller 55-59 38:53   Steve Zoll 55-59 38:59 Mo Mathews 70-and-over 39:01

Jesse Fourmy 35-39 39:36   Kathy Williamson 50-54 39:38   Annette Schlegelmilch 50-54 39:39

Jennifer Orr 30-34 39:45   Chian Hsu 40-44 39:46   Bath Mariah 50-54 39:48

Christine Jimenez 50-54 39:57   Jessie Veriato 55-59 39:58   Susan Poai 60-64 40:22

Brian Yannutz 20-24 40:33   Jolani Shrinski 55-59 40:42   Barry Webster 60-64 40:43

Nick Balingit 70-and-over 40:45   Pohaikealoha Kyota 25-29 41:53   Jamie Brinkman 45-49 42:02

Christian Junge 25-29 42:27   Margaret Serain 60-64 42:42   Mike Ben 60-64 42:45

Cathy Ogino-Williams 50-54 43:06   Eve Teeter-Balin 25-29 43:17   Paula Anthony 60-64 43:25

Jaelyn Estabilio 10-14 43:37   Kelaukila “Ua” Estabilio 30-34 44:15  Pomai Wela 55-59 44:17

Misae Wela 55-59 44:33   Paul Patnode 70-and-over 45:41   Shauna Tuohy 50-54 45:46

Bob Williams 70-and-over 45:52   Jeff Sutton 50-54 46:07   Renata Gallagher 45-49 46:42

Bob Wilkins 70-and-over 46:54   Stan Roehrig 70-and-over 48:06   Pele Harmon 30-34 48:18

Virginia Stein 55-59 50:4   Patricia Richardson 70-and-over 51:30   Stephanie Solla 20-24 52:42

Mary Hudak 60-64 54:38