![University of 鶹ý at Mānoa](/its/template/system_2019/images/uh-nameplate.png")
VNR: NCAA championship trophy tour celebrates volleyball title across 鶹ýcampuses
Video News Release
University of 鶹ý
Honolulu CC
Windward CC
Kapiʻolani CC
鶹ýWest Oʻahu
Leeward CC
Link to video and sound (details below):
***SUGGESTED VOSOT SCRIPT BELOW***
WHAT: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s “Our Team, Hawaiʻi’s Team” trophy tour brought the NCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship trophy to 鶹ýcampuses and community locations across Oʻahu following the Rainbow Warriors’ national title victory earlier this month.
WHEN: May 20–28, 2026, ending Thursday, May 28 at Windward Community College, Kapiʻolani Community College and Honolulu Community College
WHO: More than 150 people attended in total at Windward CC, Kapiʻolani CC and Honolulu CC
WHERE: 鶹ýMānoa (May 20 and 22), Leeward CC (May 27), 鶹ýWest Oʻahu (May 27), Windward CC, Kapiʻolani CC, Honolulu CC and other locations across Oʻahu.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- The Rainbow Warriors won the NCAA Men’s National Collegiate Volleyball Championship on May 11 after defeating UC Irvine in four sets.
- The title marked the program’s third NCAA championship and first since back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022.
- The trophy tour included stops at Bachman Hall, Hawaiʻi Hall, the 鶹ýMānoa Bookstore, Honolulu Hale, the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Hawaiian Airlines, Skyline, corporate partners and local businesses.
- The tour was organized by 鶹ýMānoa Athletics to thank fans and supporters throughout Hawaiʻi for supporting the team during its championship season.
- Additional events across the state, including other 鶹ýcampuses, are being planned.
Link to video and sound (details below):
VIDEO:
BROLL: (1:32)
0:00-1:32 - Shots from Windward CC and Kapiʻolani CC visits
SOUNDBITES:
Eric Mathews, 鶹ýMānoa Athletics Director of Marketing & Fan Experience and “Captain Fun”
(0:16)
“Our team, Hawaiʻi's team, isn't a slogan. It's what we've really bought into and like we want people to know that this championship is for them too. This isn't just something at Mānoa. This isn't just something for the team. This is the entire community. This is for the entire state. It's for the entire 鶹ýSystem that we have.”
Shanelle Bartlett, Kapiʻolani CC student and 鶹ýfan
(0:19)
“It was so cool. It really shows…the trophy is a symbol of how much effort these boys have put in to bring a championship back to our community and to the Hawaiian Islands and I feel like people underestimate us because of where we’re from. But this is a symbol showing how we are really powerful even from a small community like this.”
Dalwyn Wong, former 鶹ýmen’s volleyball player from the 70s
(0:19)
“This is great. It’s really good to see. The program has come a long way. I saw the last championship trophy and the games a few years ago. To see it again this year, oh man, a pretty good feeling. I’m proud of the program and proud of all the players and coaches.”
Mathews
(0:09)
“The fact that we're here and we're seeing a lot of different people and their reaction to it, it really has shown how much this national championship has meant to the community, to all of our community colleges, to everybody that's involved.”
VOSOT SCRIPT
INTRO:
The first leg of the Rainbow Warrior volleyball 2026 NCAA championship trophy tour across Oʻahu wrapped up on Thursday.
VO:
Following the national title win earlier this month, the “Our Team, Hawaiʻi’s Team” tour stopped at Windward, Kapiʻolani and Honolulu Community Colleges.
More than 150 students, faculty and fans came by to take photos with the championship trophy.
SOT:
Eric Mathews, 鶹ýMānoa Athletics Director of Marketing & Fan Experience and “Captain Fun”
“Our team, Hawaiʻi's team, isn't a slogan. It's what we've really bought into and like we want people to know that this championship is for them too. This isn't just something at Mānoa. This isn't just something for the team. This is the entire community. This is for the entire state. It's for the entire 鶹ýSystem that we have.”
Shanelle Bartlett, Kapiʻolani CC student and 鶹ýfan
“It was so cool. It really shows…the trophy is a symbol of how much effort these boys have put in to bring a championship back to our community and to the Hawaiian Islands and I feel like people underestimate us because of where we’re from. But this is a symbol showing how we are really powerful even from a small community like this.”
Dalwyn Wong, former 鶹ýmen’s volleyball player from the 70s
“This is great. It’s really good to see. The program has come a long way. I saw the last championship trophy and the games a few years ago. To see it again this year, oh man, a pretty good feeling. I’m proud of the program and proud of all the players and coaches.”
VO:
The tour also included visits to Leeward Community College, 鶹ýWest Oʻahu, 鶹ýMānoa, Honolulu Hale, the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and other corporate and retail partners.
Additional stops across the state are being planned.