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Name: Zach Banner
School: University of Southern California Trojans
Weight: 345 lbs.
Height: 6’9
40 yard dash: 5.0 seconds
Vertical Jump: 25 inches
Bench Press: 405 lbs.
Position: Offensive Tackle
Favorite Chamorro Dish: Kelaguen of all kinds!
When the Spanish came to Guam in the 1500’s they were in awe of the Chamorro men’s physical size. Out of the 200,000 plus Chamorros currently worldwide, one in particular stands out for his size. His name is Zach Banner and he may be our island’s best hope for making the NFL. This outstanding role model took some time to answer questions for GSPN.
Banner’s Guam roots come from his grandfather from his mother’s side of the family, who is Chamorro, while his father is African-American.
GSPN: Thanks for taking the time out to interview with GSPN. So, how is the summer conditioning program going?
ZB: Summer workouts are great. The big focus had been on flexibility and conditioning my body for camp. We go to camp August 2, so lately you can imagine I’ve been going quiet with my outside world. Social networks been off for about three weeks now, and my family is always texting me back home. They understand I’m focused in, so most of the time they let me be.
GSPN: You redshirted this past season at USC for football. What was that like?
ZB: Redshirting was totally my choice. Coach Kiffen gave me the choice and I took the redshirt. I wanted to learn the system even more and be able to dominate on the field.
GSPN: Zach, you also played basketball for the Trojans. Do you still want to continue being the rare two-sport athlete in Division I?
ZB: I announced this year I was not going to play basketball anymore for USC. I need to start focusing on the sport that will continue to be my career and support for my family back home.
GSPN: How is making the transition playing big time Division I football compare to high school.
ZB: The transition to Pac12 football, and even more to USC is huge. Not too many linemen can go from high school and play at this level. A lot fall off in the depths of a roster and choose different careers. I refuse to let that happen to me.
GSPN: What are you goals for this upcoming season?
ZB: Right now I am the backup right tackle behind senior Kevin Graf. I’m pushing for a starting role and will do whatever the coaches ask. I also plan on playing a role in the special teams this year. I want to show my versatility by playing special teams along with my positional role.
GSPN: How important is to be a student athlete that represents your family, culture, and community?
ZB: Huge! I feel that when it comes to Tacoma, Washington (especially the east side of the city) and the people of Guam, I’m doing something really extraordinary. Few people can go to a top university, receive a free education, play for a football powerhouse, and have limitless network opportunities. The youth and elders look to me to represent my heritage, home, and family. I’m inspired to be the best and work hard every day. “Family Over Everything” is not just a group, it’s a motto, and it’s a lifestyle.
GSPN: You have a tattoo on your left arm. What does it symbolize?
ZB- I have a latte stone design that my Mom and Dad helped me find my junior year of high school. My mom and her family are the ones from Guam. I wanted to represent my family in all of my tattoos. Inside the latte stone it has the crest of Guam that is identical to the one on the Flag of Guam. It says “Guam” inside the design, and there is a traditional bamboo fish hook thru the core of the design. This being my first tattoo I wanted Guam to be represented through all of my successes from high school on. Since then I have gotten “FOE: Family Over Everything” tattooed on my same arm. Along with my area code “253”. A representation of my neighborhood “ESO” which stands for “East Side Original”. The tattoo underneath my right arm is the design of a rose and on the leafs of the rose I have my mother’s name, sister’s name, brother’s name, dad’s name, and my four cousins (“JH”) on one of the leafs representing 4 of my cousins who played a big part in raising me as a substitute for not having an older brother: Josh, Jason, Jacob, and Jordan Hadley. My tattoos represent my family and my home. I will continue to represent my history through all my achievements.
GSPN: I read you ran 4.6 40 yard dash on the internet. True?
ZB: [laughs] That 4.6 forty is a typo. Someone had mistyped something along the way of my career.
GSPN: Which offensive tackle inspires you to improve your game?
ZB: Jonathan Ogden and Walter Jones
GSPN: Anyone you want to thank for your success in life?
ZB: My family back home in Tacoma and Guam are the ones I play for and strive to make proud. I never think about my personal glory, it’s all for the three letters I represent: FOE.
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GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
19th
SPRINT TRIATHLON, PACIFIC GAMES QUALIFIER
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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