On May 14, 2015, the UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) will hold a press conference to announce the Brian Kajiyama Heart of a Warrior Scholarship, established by Jeff Reinebold under the June Jones Foundation. The event will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the Andrew WS In College Collaboration Center at the COE.
An instructor in the COE Department of Special Education, Kajiyama was born with cerebral palsy. Growing up, he says he dreamed of playing for the Warrior football team, but focused instead on academics. While pursuing his graduate studies and mentoring other students with severe disabilities, he was appointed graduate assistant coach by Jones. Kajiyama would be part of the Warriors staff during two of the team’s most successful seasons in history (2006–2007).
“This project has been eight years in the making, and we are grateful to the June Jones Foundation” said Reinebold, Chairman of the Brian Kajiyama Scholarship Fund. “Coach Jones looked past Brian’s disability and saw his abilities. Brian was a daily reminder of the power in belief, embodying true toughness and exhibiting what a positive attitude can accomplish. This scholarship honors his true warrior spirit and ensures his inspirational story will continue to be heard.”
In 2008, ESPN chronicled Kajiyama’s contributions to the Warrior football team and his friendship with Reinebold in a news segment titled “Heart of a Warrior.” He is the only person with cerebral palsy to ever have had an on-field role in NCAA Division IA Football.
“Our future must be built on solid foundations, which start with education,” said Kajiyama. “It is my hope that this scholarship can give children, who have gone through and triumphed over adversity, a better chance to earn a college degree, which will open many doors of opportunity. I am grateful to Jeff Reinebold and Coach June Jones for allowing this dream to become a reality.”
The scholarship is designed to help students in Hawaiʻi who have overcome great personal challenges to succeed in continuing their post-secondary education. Contributions to fund are accepted through the June Jones Foundation at P.O. Box 11330, Honolulu, HI 96828.
