Rich Miano is a pro when it comes to taking the nine-hour flight from Honolulu into Newark, N.J.
Miano, Hawaii’s secondary coach, says he’s made the trip at least 55 times, most recently for the Giants-Jets preseason game on Aug. 16.
“Our flight out was delayed four hours in Honolulu,” said Miano, who played five seasons as a safety for the Jets from 1985-89. ”
“I remember watching the Rutgers game against Fresno State last year,” Miano said. “They had a map on ESPN and they showed how they traveled across the continental United States. Well, we have to travel across two continental United States.”
This is the longest trip (4,955 miles) to play a football game in the school’s history.
Hawaii traveled 4,945 miles to play Rutgers on Oct. 4, 1975 in Piscataway, N.J. The Warriors’ trip to play Florida was 4,669 miles in 2008.
Hawaii’s flight time shouldn’t be an excuse. The Warriors landed in Newark, N.J. Wednesday. The team has stayed at a hotel in Park Ridge, N.J. and practiced locally.
“It’s nice to travel,” Hawaii senior wide receiver Greg Salas said. “It’s nice to be out there playing different teams. I haven’t played Army before and I haven’t been too far east. I’m excited to play Army. They look like a great team.”
