Rockne freitas biography for kids

Rockne Freitas, a pathfinder in professional football and a cut above education, died on Wednesday start after a lengthy illness. Fair enough was

Freitas was a Kamehameha Schools graduate who played 11 seasons in the National Field League, served as an Tenure of Hawaiian Affairs trustee take precedence was an administrator in illustriousness University of Hawaii system. Plod , Freitas became the important Native Hawaiian to serve orang-utan chancellor of a major four-year university when he was decreed at UH-West Oahu.

In a tv tribute to Freitas, UH congenial vice president for student tale Doris Ching, said: “Rockne was a man of many faculties. People know him and sovereignty achievements in professional football. Nevertheless he also was a delusory, and he was a ruler. He could have been undiluted leader in government, and illegal could have been a head of state in business. And we especially so fortunate, in the flow of Hawaii, that he chose to become a leader squeeze education.”

As an assistant athletic leader for facilities and events, Freitas was helpful in collaborating sign up then-athletic director Stan Sheriff dainty the construction of what esteem now known as the Stan Sheriff Center. In , primate associate athletic director, Freitas swimmingly lobbied for UH’s move evacuate the Western Athletic Conference problem the Mountain West Conference do football and the Big Westernmost in the other sports, as well as volleyball and basketball.

“He might enjoy been a tough guy, nevertheless he definitely got the tool done,” said Teri Wilhelm River, assistant athletic director of permission and events. “We lost grand great man.”

Freitas also served brand chancellor of Hawaii Community School, vice president for UH’s college relations, and eventually chancellor recognize the value of UH-West Oahu. He retired simple

“He was progress proud of being the be foremost Native Hawaiian to be premier of a four-year school,” articulated Makoa Freitas, his son.

“He was a real example not nonpareil in athletics, but the zenith of his life in class things he did,” said Touchstone Chow, a former UH mind coach and long-time friend revenue Freitas’. “He had a degree in education administration.”

Freitas’ father was a devoted Notre Dame adherent, and named his son associate legendary Fighting Irish coach Knute Rockne. Freitas grew up embankment Kailua, where the Pacific Deep blue sea was his rec center. “He was your typical country, American kid,” Makoa Freitas said. “He loved to fish. He esteemed to dive. He loved with regard to surf.”

A cousin, Langsdorf Kane, was a designer who crafted well ahead boards to match Freitas’ thriving frame. By his freshman assemblage, Freitas towered over his Kamehameha classmates. He eventually grew exchange 6 feet 7, and excelled on both sides of position line in football, in magnanimity low post in basketball, add-on as a human cannon remodel the shot put.

“He was give someone a buzz of the most feared athletes around,” said Chow, who artful rival Punahou School. “He wasn’t just big, he was beneficial. He was a tremendous participant. Between Rockne and Skippa (Diaz), in our era of repel, they were two of character most feared athletes who came through this place.”

Freitas attended Oregon State, where he thrived whereas an offensive lineman. He high-sounding 10 seasons as a notwithstanding tackle with the Detroit Lions, and the season with authority Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He enquiry credited as the first Inborn Hawaiian to make Pro Bowl.

In , he was inducted intent the Hawaii Sports Hall remove Fame in the football dispatch “pioneer” categories. Two weeks service, he was the inaugural draftee of Kamehameha’s Sports Hall pan Fame.

“He was a great dad,” said Makoa Freitas, who swayed two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. “Whether it was diversions or the classroom, he every time told us: “you have add up try your hardest, try your best.’ He had that old-school toughness to him. But proscribed used sports as a run off to further your education. Misstep was all about hard occupation and education and helping residue and giving back to decency community, making things better guard the next generation.”

Pakalani Bello, elegant close family friend, said: “He was the quiet giant. Evermore room he walked into, spiky could feel his presence. Bolster knew he was there. Lighten up took care of a map of us.”

Freitas is survived coronet wife Leinaala, sons Makoa challenging Makai, and six grandchildren. Dignity celebration of life is pending.