
By Patrick Lujan
Houston Texans football player J.J. Watt may be getting all the publicity for so far raising over $32 million in relief for Hurricane Harvey, but others are doing their part as well.
Guam’s Kevin Cruz, a multiple champion jiu-jitsu practitioner who moved to Houston earlier this year, is doing his part in helping his new community in Texas.
Cruz came away virtually unscathed in the aftermath of the Texas hurricane in late August, but it was his roots here on Guam that moved him to make a difference in the lives of those affected as he started a GoFundMe relief campaign called ‘Hope For Houston’ and will be in the featured card in a jiu-jitsu event at The Woodlands this Friday night in Texas with all proceeds going toward the relief efforts.
“My drive for Houston in the midst of Hurricane Harvey comes from the ways in which I was brought up and how many of us were brought up on our island,” Cruz said. “Our culture was birthed off of family, values, respect and reciprocity (helping and giving back) and although I don’t reside on our beautiful island paradise anymore, I will still continue to live by those morals and values.
“While I was waiting for the hurricane to pass, it brought a flash back of growing up on Guam experiencing typhoons on a regular basis. I remember everyone all over Guam coming together as a community to help one another get back on their feet. I thought to myself I have to do something. This is the reason why I created my GoFundMe relief campaign called ‘HOPEFORHOUSTON’ which grabbed a lot of friends and families attention worldwide. What I wish for everyone at home on Guam or any other part of the world, if you were brought up with the same values and morals coming from the island, let’s spread the håfa adai spirit.”
On top of that, the Carlson Gracie, Jr. (Guam) protege’ will be featured in a BJJ superfight to help the hurricane relief efforts as well.
“This specific event is special because the event coordinator/match maker Seth Daniels will be donating all proceeds from his upcoming events to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The format for the superfights comply with the IBJJF time format for belt color. The catch is the only way to claim victory is by, of course, submission or being the more aggressive/offensive fighter. No points or advantages are allowed which makes the event push for a more spectator-friendly match.”
Good luck to Kevin. Win or lose the match, his giving heart has already made him a greater champion from home.


GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs
- True Grit Rugby Tournament
- IIAAG Boys Soccer Playoffs