Ask Betsy Brennan what she and husband Terry did to help make their son, Colt Brennan, into this nationally celebrated University of Hawai'i quarterback — with a reputation as a pretty cool guy to boot — and the 54-year-old mother gives an awkward laugh. "Actually, I don't know," she says. "We've wondered that ourselves."

Yet in an interview with www.HawaiiMoms.com, Betsy Brennan's stories reveal that her No. 2 child's successes have been no accident: They've been born of his hard work and determination to overcome adversity and some grave mistakes.

His parents created an emphasis on values and commitment, and modeled their support through their willingness to enroll him in (and drive him a long distance to) countless games, practices, football camps and the famed Mater Dei high school, almost half an hour from their Irvine, Calif., home, to get the best athletic training.

The Honolulu Advertiser Web site HawaiiMoms.com interviewed Betsy Brennan via e-mail with the idea that in Hawai'i, where sports of all kinds are big with families, parents would want to know her secrets for raising a champion athlete.

She insists there is no magic bullet. She said of her three kids, "I just tried to give them as much encouragement as possible and teach them to follow through with their commitments, especially to their teams, and to respect their coaches."

Colt Brennan, 24, was voted sixth last year for the Heisman Trophy, football's most prestigious award, and is again a leading contender. He holds at least 20 NCAA records, including most touchdown passes in a season and the career record for most games gaining 400 yards or more of total offense. He led UH to an 11-3 record last season, 5-0 so far this year. ESPN Magazine featured him on its cover last week with the headline: "The best college QB in Hawaii ... and 49 other states."

But stats aren't the only thing that have endeared Colt Brennan to Hawai'i fans. In January, he turned down a promising opportunity to enter the NFL draft, opting in an emotional announcement to stick with UH for his senior year. And he keeps gaining followers with his displays of heart for Hawai'i, from doing the haka and dropping Samoan language into his media interviews, to taking a public stand for better upkeep of UH facilities, to dying the silhouette of the Hawaiian Islands into his bleached hair.

Here is an excerpt from the Q&A with Betsy Brennan, along with a few of the many photos she shared from her family archive. To read the full interview and see all the photos, go to HawaiiMoms.com.

Q. What was it like to raise Colt — what sort of sibling, friend, student and athlete was he back then? What was the typical school day or week like?

A. Colt was a very enthusiastic and outgoing child. He was consumed by his interests. He played all sports, including baseball, soccer and basketball, but football was by far his favorite. ...

Colt has always been sensitive, thinking of others, making people feel good about themselves, especially his friends and teammates. Even as a kid, Colt had a way of relating easily toward adults and elders. People we always drawn to his friendly demeanor. Colt has two sisters, one older and one younger. They are all very close and are always there for each other. The girls are very proud to have a brother like Colt!

When it was time for high school, Colt didn't want to go to our local high school down the street from our house in Irvine, Calif. Instead, he was determined to attend Mater Dei, a powerhouse for football (in Santa Ana, Calif.), which was about 20 to 25 minutes away from our home. Terry and I both worked, and with few kids in our neighborhood for a carpool, between us we would drive him back and forth to school, practices and games. Colt played three sports his freshman year. A lot of nights he would get home between 8 or 9 at night, with a game on Saturday. ...

Q. How did he develop his determination, humble attitude and athletic skill? What role did your family play in that?

A. Colt was born determined! I don't know if you can teach that. I do know that his dad's side of the family is very athletic and competitive. His uncles and cousins were very good role models. Whining was never allowed! Be tough!

The Colorado incident was a very life-altering experience for Colt and our family. He had to grow up fast! It was very humbling. We all learned very fast that you can never take life for granted! (Editor's note: While attending the University of Colorado in 2004, Brennan admitted to being drunk while walking uninvited into a female student's dorm room. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted of first-degree criminal trespass and second-degree burglary, and was acquitted of charges of sexual assault and indecent exposure. He received four days in jail, community service and four years' probation. "I made a mistake, but did not commit a crime," Brennan said in an Associated Press interview last year.)

Colt was always a good athlete as a child. He was not always the No. 1 guy, but he was very competitive, and his drive and determination made up for the rest. Colt put a lot of time into football outside of school. He attended one-on-one lessons and quarterback camps during spring breaks and summers.

Q. As his mother, what kind of advice or guidance did you give Colt when he was young? What kind of advice/guidance do you give him these days? Does he consult with you often?

A. When Colt was little, I just kept on encouraging him to keep going when things did not go his way. It's funny — Terry and I always worry about Colt, with all the press he is getting, and people are always surrounding him for pictures and autographs. We feel it could be too overwhelming for him, but he keeps reassuring us that this is a good thing and he would not have it any other way. He just hopes he can get to all his fans who want a picture or an autograph.

It's cute. I never thought I was a good cook, but Colt always calls, usually when I'm asleep with the time change, to ask me how to cook the chicken and potatoes I cooked for him when he was little. His other favorite phone call is to say, "I need money."

Reach Esme Infante Nii at enii@honoluluadvertiser.com.