Pacific Island Swarm Tour helps expand the Michigan, Hawaii brand


KALAEPOHAKU — With the coordination and help of the Gridiron Performance Academy, the University of Michigan and University of Hawaii football programs cohosted and conducted the Pacific Island Swarm Tour football camp on the fields of Saint Louis School on Sunday morning.

Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan staff, Nick Rolovich and his staff, as well as some Saint Louis coaches were on hand to instruct and guide high school athletes through drills.

"We're in Hawaii doing football. These guys can play. They're athletic so it's fun to be out there coaching there," said Harbaugh.

Harbaugh, who has adorned several jerseys at his camps across the country, opted to wear a Marcus Mariota Tennessee Titans jersey. 

"It's his high school and I have a tremendous amount of respect," said Harbaugh. 

"He's an incredible showman. He's good for college football and football in general. I enjoyed it," said Rolovich, on Harbaugh.

Players ranging from freshman to seniors went through sprinting, agility and position drills to showcase their skills and talents. There were no 7-on-7 or 1-on-1 drills in order to limit any injuries.

The camp was also an opportunity for Michigan to expand their brand to the Pacific region while it gave an opportunity for Hawaii's new coaching staff to familiarize themselves with the local players.

"Another opportunity for us to get around the local players is priceless to us. We appreciate everyone who put this on," said Rolovich.

"It's a plan to go out and coach and teach people, share what you know about football. I get inspired by these guys who have the heart for football. It's awesome to be out here to getting inspired by guys working so hard and wanting to show what they can do," said Harbaugh.

"He does a great job about getting people to talk about Michigan football. I just try to soak up his persona and how he gets that done, probably not at the same level, but that's we need to do to get the brand out there," added Rolovich.

This was also a homecoming for Tony Tuioti who is Michigan's director of player personnel. Tuioti spent six years at the University of Hawaii as a coach.

Hawaii will travel to Ann Arbor to play in the Big House on Sept. 3.

"We play UH on opening day in Ann Arbor. I'm not looking forward to it, I can tell you that. They have a heck of a program and a great coaching staff—I can see it as I'm out here working with these guys, they have tremendous coaches, they are knowledgeable and well-organized," said Harbaugh.