Athletics | University of Hawaiʻi System News /news News from the University of Hawaii Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:48:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /news/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-UHNews512-1-32x32.jpg Athletics | University of Hawaiʻi System News /news 32 32 28449828 Pitcher Magdaleno 1st 鶹ýbaseball All-American since 2020 /news/2026/06/10/magdaleno-baseball-all-american/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:48:53 +0000 /news/?p=235912 UH Manoa pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno earned Perfect Game Third-Team All-America honors after a record-setting 2026 season.

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University of 鶹ý at Mānoa junior pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno has been named a Perfect Game Third-Team All-American, becoming the first Rainbow Warrior to earn All-America honors since 2020 and the first following a full season since 2011.

Magdaleno is just the second UH player to receive Perfect Game All-America recognition and the 18th Rainbow Warrior all-time to earn All-America honors from a major college baseball organization.

The Los Angeles native finished his junior season among the nation’s leaders in several categories, ranking fifth in WHIP (0.92), sixth in hits allowed per nine innings (5.38) and 13th in ERA (2.36). He recorded a 7-5 record with 116 strikeouts over 95.1 innings in 15 starts.

Magdaleno was dominant down the stretch, posting a 0.83 ERA over the final month of the season and throwing two complete-game, one-hit shutouts. He also earned First-Team All-Big West and ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association) Second-Team All-West Region honors after recording a 1.47 ERA in conference play.

His performance helped lead a UH pitching staff that finished the regular season ranked third nationally and first in the Big West with a 3.44 team ERA.

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2 鶹ýHilo student-athletes earn academic all-district honors /news/2026/06/10/uh-hilo-athletes-academic-all-district-honors/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:39:49 +0000 /news/?p=235900 UH Hilo baseball student-athletes Noah Darnell and Hunter Gatti were recognized for their achievements in both the classroom and on the field.

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Two University of 鶹ý at Hilo baseball student-athletes have been named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, recognizing their combined success in academics and athletics.

Junior communication majors Noah Darnell of Phoenix, Arizona, and Hunter Gatti of Riverton, Utah, earned the honor for the 2026 season.

The CSC Academic All-District program recognizes student-athletes who maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher while making significant contributions to their team’s success during the season.

Academic All-District honorees advance to the national CSC Academic All-America ballot, where student-athletes are considered for additional recognition based on their academic and athletic achievements.

For more information, visit the .

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Bank of 鶹ý, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Tsui and Dods make transformative $5-million commitment for student-athlete NIL, strengthen 鶹ýMānoa Athletics /news/2026/06/10/transformative-5-million-nil-commitment/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:50:36 +0000 /news/?p=235812 The commitment will provide $1 million annually over the next five years for NIL support.

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people smiling

Five prominent 鶹ý donors and organizations are making a transformative $5-million commitment to the via the to support name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes and help ensure the long-term success and national relevance of UH Mānoa Athletics.

audience watching the press conference

The commitment will provide $1 million annually over the next five years for NIL support, helping UH Mānoa retain homegrown talent, recruit high-level student-athletes and provide equitable, Title IX-compliant opportunities across sports in an increasingly competitive Division I athletics environment. It will also strengthen a program that generates statewide pride, visibility and meaningful economic impact for 鶹ý.

The five contributors, each committing $200,000 annually for five years, are Bank of 鶹ý, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, and longtime UH supporters and community leaders Jack Tsui and Walter Dods.

“This extraordinary commitment reflects something that has always made 鶹ý special: people who deeply believe in UH and understand the important role athletics plays in bringing our community together,” said UH Mānoa Director of Athletics Matt Elliott. “College athletics has changed, and our objective is to adapt in a way that reflects the values of this university and our state. Our goal is to build a stable, student-centered foundation that supports academic success, competitive excellence and responsible NIL opportunities while ensuring UH Mānoa remains ‘Our Team, 鶹ý’s Team.’”

Changing college athletics landscape

people standing and sitting in a large room

As NIL compensation has become a standard component of Division I athletics nationwide, universities across the country—including every member of the Mountain West Conference, which UH Mānoa will officially join as a full member on July 1—have committed significant resources to support student-athletes. University leaders estimate UH Mānoa needs approximately $5 million annually in NIL support to remain competitive in the Mountain West and on the national stage.

UH Athletics has united 鶹ý communities during moments of triumph in just the last year—from the men’s volleyball national championship and men’s basketball’s return to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big West title, to football’s thrilling 鶹ý Bowl victory over Cal before a sold-out crowd at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex and a national television audience that peaked at 3 million viewers.

University leaders say those moments of shared pride underscore the broader value athletics brings to 鶹ý: creating connection, visibility and economic impact beyond campus. A 2015 study by the UH Mānoa Shidler College of Business, based on a $35 million athletics budget at the time, found UH Athletics generated $66 million in direct spending, produced $128 million in statewide business sales, generated approximately $7 million in tax revenue and supported more than 860 jobs across 鶹ý. An updated economic impact study evaluating the department’s current contribution to the state economy is nearing completion and expected by the end of August.

person smiling
Jim Polk

Beyond its statewide impact, athletics creates meaningful educational opportunities, with nearly 500 student-athletes participating in UH Mānoa programs and more than 170 degrees earned by student-athletes last year.

鶹ý leaders unite behind UH Athletics

The donors said they recognize college athletics has fundamentally changed and believe 鶹ý must adapt to ensure local student-athletes can continue representing their home state at the highest levels. Several said broader support—from the private sector, community and eventually the state—will be needed to ensure UH remains competitive nationally.

Longtime UH Athletics partner Jim Polk, president and chief executive officer of Bank of 鶹ý, said the new commitment builds on the bank’s longstanding support for UH student-athletes and the broader university community.

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Bob Harrison

“Bank of 鶹ý has proudly supported UH Athletics for many years because we believe in the important role it plays in developing student leaders and bringing our communities together,” Polk said. “This commitment builds on that longstanding partnership and helps ensure UH student-athletes have the resources to succeed in a changing collegiate athletics environment. UH student-athletes represent the best of 鶹ý, and supporting them strengthens opportunities for young people while fostering pride across our state.”

Bob Harrison, chairman, president and chief executive officer of First Hawaiian Bank, said the university’s athletics program represents 鶹ý in ways that extend far beyond wins and losses.

“First Hawaiian Bank has long supported the University of 鶹ý because of the important role it plays in developing future leaders and strengthening our communities,” Harrison said. “Athletics is an important part of the university experience, creating opportunities for student-athletes while helping foster pride, engagement and visibility for the university. We are proud to support UH and invest in the success of its student-athletes, helping create opportunities for them to grow as leaders while representing our university and our state.”

person headshot
Matt Cox

Matt Cox, chairman and CEO of Matson, said creating a competitive NIL program at UH is needed to help keep local student athletes in 鶹ý.

“University of 鶹ý is a pillar of our community, and it’s critical that it remains competitive at the highest levels,” Cox said. “Today, that requires establishing a strong NIL foundation that will help UH attract and retain top local talent, and we need to start now.”

Jack Tsui, longtime UH supporter and chair of the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation and former First Hawaiian Bank president said that the private sector has an important role to play in assisting the UH athletics department to continue to be competitive.

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Jack Tsui

“My wife Frances and I are honored to participate in the fundraising project for NIL,” said Tsui. “We hope that our commitment will encourage other donors, large and small, UH supporters, business and community leaders to stand up and be counted so that UH can continue to be competitive and thrive.”

Walter Dods, former chief executive officer of First Hawaiian Bank and one of the university’s most prolific philanthropic supporters, said the changing landscape of college athletics requires 鶹ý to act.

“People can certainly have different opinions about whether college athletes should be compensated, but the reality is already here,” Dods said. “Every school we compete against is investing in NIL, and if we want 鶹ý teams to remain competitive and our student-athletes to stay home, then we—the state, the private sector and the broader community—need to step up in some way. We understand the pressures on the Legislature and that everyone is asking for support. That is part of why the five of us decided to act now and help create a foundation others can build on.”

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Walter Dods

Building a foundation for the future

Without a stable NIL foundation, UH leaders say the university risks losing local talent, widening recruiting gaps and falling behind in a rapidly evolving Division I athletics landscape.

UH President Wendy Hensel said the $5-million commitment provides an important foundation for UH Mānoa Athletics, while emphasizing that broader support will ultimately be needed to sustain long-term success.

“We are deeply grateful to Bank of 鶹ý, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Jack Tsui and Walter Dods for stepping forward with this extraordinary commitment to our student-athletes and the future of UH Mānoa Athletics,” Hensel said. “College athletics has fundamentally changed, and this investment helps ensure UH can continue to retain 鶹ý student-athletes and remain competitive while creating benefits that extend well beyond campus—from student success and statewide pride to the significant economic impact for our state.”

Elliott said the commitment represents a strong start, but emphasized continued investment will be critical to building long-term success.

“I genuinely believe we are only scratching the surface of what UH Athletics can become,” Elliott said. “If we build this foundation the right way—with support from philanthropy, corporate partners and ultimately the state—we can retain local student-athletes, compete at a high level and continue creating opportunities for student-athletes who want to stay home, earn their degrees and represent 鶹ý the right way.”

Elliott added that UH Mānoa Athletics plans to launch a new giving society later this year to honor the individuals and organizations helping strengthen opportunities for student-athletes and support the department’s long-term future.

“The five leadership commitments announced today serve as an inspiring foundation for the giving society and underscore the momentum building for Our Team, 鶹ý’s Team.”

aerial shot of athletics complex

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Isaiah Magdaleno earns All-West Region honors after standout season /news/2026/06/09/isaiah-magdaleno-earns-all-west-region-honors/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:15:13 +0000 /news/?p=235807 UH pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno earned ABCA Second-Team All-West Region honors following the 2026 season.

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isaiah magdaleno second team all-west region

University of 鶹ý at Mānoa junior pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno has been named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Second-Team All-West Region team following a standout 2026 season.

Magdaleno is the first Rainbow Warrior pitcher to earn all-region honors since 2018 and the first UH player recognized since 2024.

The right-hander finished the season with a 2.36 ERA, 116 strikeouts and a 0.92 WHIP across 95.1 innings, ranking among the nation’s leaders in multiple pitching categories. He was especially dominant late in the season, posting a 0.83 ERA in May and throwing two complete-game, one-hit shutouts.

A First-Team All-Big West selection, Magdaleno recorded a 1.47 ERA in conference play and became the first player since 2018 to earn three consecutive Big West Pitcher of the Week honors.

After moving from closer to Friday-night starter, Magdaleno helped lead UH Mānoa pitching staff that finished the regular season ranked third nationally with a 3.44 team ERA.

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5 鶹ýHilo student athletes earn Academic All-District honors /news/2026/06/09/uh-hilo-softball-csc-academic-team/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:55:30 +0000 /news/?p=235817 Five UH Hilo softball student-athletes earned CSC Academic All-District honors for their achievements during the 2026 season.

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鶹ýHilo softball csc all district team roster

Five University of 鶹ý at Hilo softball student-athletes have been named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, recognizing their combined academic and athletic success.

The honorees are sophomore accounting major Mariah Antoque, senior business administration-management major Madi Lee, junior accounting major Keʻalohi Markham, sophomore-redshirt communication major Janessa Santos and senior business administration-finance major Lexie Tilton.

The CSC Academic All-District program honors student-athletes who maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher while making significant contributions to their teams during the season.

For more information, visit the

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Joshua Walker named 鶹ýMānoa women’s volleyball head coach /news/2026/06/05/walker-wahine-volleyball-coach/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 21:20:05 +0000 /news/?p=235648 Walker was an All-American as a student-athlete and national championship-winning assistant coach for the Rainbow Warrior volleyball team.

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graphic of a coach

Joshua Walker was announced as the fourth head coach of the on June 5 by University of 鶹ý at Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott. Walker, an All-American as a student-athlete and national championship-winning assistant coach for the Rainbow Warrior volleyball team, returns to his alma mater to take the helm of the women’s program.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Joshua Walker back to the University of 鶹ý to lead our Rainbow Wahine volleyball program,” said Elliott. “Joshua embodies the very best of 鶹ý volleyball tradition and knows firsthand what it takes to win at the highest level here. His deep roots in our community, combined with his proven championship pedigree as an athlete and coach, and passion for his alma mater, make him the perfect person to lead this program. This is a homecoming, and we couldn’t be more excited that Joshua, Tehane, and their beautiful ʻohana are coming back to the islands.”

Walker comes back to UH following a successful tenure at Baylor, where he joined the staff as an assistant coach in spring 2022 before being promoted to associate head coach in February 2023.

“I feel extremely blessed and thankful for this opportunity,” said Walker. “I’d like to thank Matt for all his diligence in making this happen, and (UH President) Wendy Hensel for her support. I’d also like to thank my wife, the rest of my family, and friends who have helped me be ready for this opportunity. 鶹ý has been home for a while, but I love that it gets to be our workplace again. I’m excited to get going and will work to make this program truly one of a kind.”

During his time at Baylor, Walker played an integral role in steering the Bears to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, extending their streak to 10 consecutive tournaments by the 2025 season. In addition to his collegiate coaching success, Walker has gained valuable international experience serving as an assistant coach for USA Volleyball’s women’s team.

Walker is best known to 鶹ý fans for his extensive and decorated history with the Rainbow Warrior men’s volleyball program in which he was both an All-American player and national assistant coach of the year selection.

As a student-athlete from 2006 to 2011, Walker was an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American and a two-time All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standout. He was a consistent leader on the court, finishing his four-year career with 1,428 kills (3.91 kills per set), which ranks fifth in program history. He graduated from UH with a bachelor’s degree in English in 2011.

Following an impressive professional playing career with Team USA and overseas in the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Denmark, and Finland—where he earned MVP and All-Star honors—Walker returned to UH Mānoa in 2016 to begin his collegiate coaching career under head coach Charlie Wade.

During his seven seasons as an assistant coach for the UH Mānoa men’s program, Walker helped transform the team into a national powerhouse. He accumulated a stellar 149-36 record on staff and helped guide the Warriors to back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2021 and 2022. His coaching prowess was recognized nationally in 2019 when he became the first UH assistant to be named the AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year.

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鶹ýHilo men’s golf caps 4th straight title run with postseason honors /news/2026/06/04/hilo-mens-golf-title-run-postseason-honors/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:32:04 +0000 /news/?p=235574 The Vulcans' championship season was recognized with six All-PacWest selections and two all-region honors.

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Collage of Hilo golfers

The University of 鶹ý at Hilo men’s golf team earned six All-Pacific West Conference selections following another championship season, with seniors Dylan Bercan and Ben Crinella also receiving Golf Coaches Association of America PING West All-Region honors.

The Vulcans captured their fourth consecutive PacWest Conference Championship in April in Las Vegas. Bercan successfully defended his individual title at 8-under par, becoming the first two-time conference champion in program history. He was also named PacWest Player of the Year.

Head coach Earl Tamiya earned PacWest Coach of the Year honors for the fourth straight season.

All-PacWest selections are based on year-end rankings. Joining Bercan on the conference teams were Crinella (First Team), Jacob Torres (Second Team), Dysen Park (Second Team), Katsuhiro Yamashita (Third Team) and Jordan Sato (Third Team).

Bercan and Crinella also earned PING West All-Region recognition after finishing among the top 20 individuals at the NCAA South Central/West Regional in Stockton, California.

For more information, visit the .

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Elliott Cribby selected as 鶹ýHilo’s next baseball head coach /news/2026/06/04/cribby-hilo-baseball-head-coach/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:48:58 +0000 /news/?p=235582 UH Hilo has named Elliott Cribby as the next leader of the Vulcan baseball program.

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Cribby smiling
UH Hilo Head Baseball Coach Elliot Cribby

The University of 鶹ý at Hilo has named Elliott Cribby as the next head coach of the Vulcan baseball program, Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen announced on June 3.

Cribby brings more than a decade of NCAA Division I coaching experience, having served in coaching and recruiting roles at Abilene Christian, Seattle, Purdue, Washington, Pacific and Central Washington. Most recently, he coached at Eastlake High School in Washington and led the DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate team.

“We are ecstatic to be adding someone of Elliott’s caliber to our program.” Guillen said. “He has played and coached at the highest levels of collegiate athletics and has a proven track record of player recruitment and development.”

Cribby said he is honored to join the UH Hilo ʻohana and looks forward to building on the program’s tradition of success.

Throughout his coaching career, Cribby has helped recruit and develop 58 Major League Baseball draft picks, including Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, Miami Marlins pitcher Janson Junk and Hawaiʻi native Aiva Arquette.

Cribby becomes the fourth head coach in program history and succeeds interim head coach Garett Yukumoto.

For more information, visit the UH .

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Hawaii News Now selected as official broadcast partner for 鶹ýMānoa Athletics /news/2026/06/04/hnn-broadcast-partner-manoa-athletics/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:27:59 +0000 /news/?p=235539 The expanded distribution of K5 will make UH Mānoa sports more accessible than ever to fans across the islands.

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graphic of a new athletics agreement

The announced that it has selected Hawaii News Now (HNN) as its official broadcast partner. The four-year agreement, which begins July 1, 2026, marks a major shift in how fans across the islands will access UH Mānoa sports, moving the primary home for local broadcasts from a subscription-based cable model to free, statewide television distribution and expanding how and where fans can watch UH Mānoa sports.

The partnership returns UH Mānoa Athletics to its original broadcast home, K5, which served as the “Home Team” for UH Mānoa sports for nearly two decades beginning in 1994, will once again serve as the primary home for live games, original programming, and year-round coverage of the ‘Bows. The expanded distribution of K5 will make UH Mānoa sports more accessible than ever to fans across the islands.

K5 broadcasts will also be available nationally through the new Mountain West app, significantly expanding access to Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine athletics beyond 鶹ý. More information on how to subscribe to this service will be forthcoming. In addition to HNN’s 110-game broadcast schedule, dozens of additional UH Mānoa events will be available through the app via productions led by UH Mānoa Athletics. HNN and UH will also explore opportunities to showcase select campus productions across HNN stations.

By leveraging HNN’s broad statewide reach across K5, KGMB (CBS) and KHNL (NBC/Telemundo), UH Mānoa Athletics will significantly expand access to its programs across 鶹ý, nearly doubling the number of television households able to watch local broadcasts of the ‘Bows. Beyond the islands, Gray Media’s (HNN’s parent company) national footprint will create new opportunities to showcase UH Mānoa Athletics through special programming distributed to audiences across the country.

“This partnership is about maximizing exposure for our programs and ensuring every fan in 鶹ý and beyond can watch our games,” said UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott. “Over-the-air broadcast television is the ideal platform for the ‘Our Team, 鶹ý‘s Team’ theme and will make it easier than ever for our community to connect with our student-athletes. This level of reach is vital for the growth of our brand and our future success.”

As the official broadcast partner of UH Mānoa Athletics, HNN has committed to broadcasting a minimum of 110 home sporting events per year, including all available football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s volleyball and women’s volleyball games, plus broadcasts of baseball, softball and women’s soccer.

The agreement represents an estimated annual partnership value of approximately $7.5 million, reflecting a model designed to create broader long-term value for UH Mānoa Athletics rather than a traditional rights-fee model. The partnership includes expanded statewide access, significantly more televised events, year-round storytelling and promotion, student development opportunities, initiatives that support NIL community value for student-athletes, and shared revenue opportunities tied to campus productions and the Warrior FAST Channel.

For the entire story, visit the .

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2026 Sheraton 鶹ý Bowl to be played on Christmas Eve /news/2026/06/03/2026-sheraton-hawaii-bowl-december-24/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:30:52 +0000 /news/?p=235471 The 2026 Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl returns to UH Mānoa for its fifth straight year at Ching Complex.

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group of football players running onto the field
The Rainbow Warriors won the 2025 Sheraton 鶹ý Bowl.

The 2026 Sheraton 鶹ý Bowl will be played on Thursday, December 24, at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the University of 鶹ý at Mānoa campus. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. HST and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.

The bowl game returns to Ching Complex for the fifth consecutive year while construction continues on the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. Conference affiliations for the matchup will be announced at a later date, and tickets are expected to go on sale later this summer.

The announcement follows a memorable 2025 Sheraton 鶹ý Bowl in which the UH Mānoa Rainbow Warriors rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit to defeat the California Golden Bears, 35-31. The victory matched the largest comeback in program history and was sealed by a game-winning touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining.

Last year’s game drew more than 15,000 fans to a sold-out Ching Complex and attracted 2.7 million viewers across ESPN platforms, making it the most-watched 鶹ý Bowl since 2013.

The 鶹ý Bowl was established in 2002 and has featured the Rainbow Warriors a record 10 times.

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Vulcan golfer Saludares on All-Pac West Team /news/2026/06/03/vulcan-saludares-all-pac-west-team/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:20:24 +0000 /news/?p=235451 Kiersten Saludares was named to the All-PacWest Third Team after helping lead UH Hilo to a conference championship.

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Saludares swinging
(Photo credit: Nicholas Shultz/Jessup Sports)

University of 鶹ý at Hilo women’s golfer Kiersten Saludares earned All-Pacific West Conference Third Team honors following a standout senior season.

Saludares was the lone Vulcan selected to the 2026 All-PacWest Teams, which are determined by final rankings based on full-season performance metrics.

The recognition comes after the Vulcans captured the 2026 PacWest Conference Championship in Las Vegas last month.

Saludares finished the season with a 78.1 adjusted scoring average and recorded five top-20 finishes. She opened the year with an individual title at the Grisham Memorial Shootout in Washington.

For more information, visit the .

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5 Rainbow Warrior baseball players earn academic all-district honors /news/2026/06/02/warrior-baseball-academic-all-district-honors/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 01:46:50 +0000 /news/?p=235410 Five Rainbow Warrior baseball players earned CSC Academic All-District honors, setting a new UH Mānoa program record for a single season.

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Collage of baseball players

Five University of 鶹ý at Mānoa baseball players have been named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honorees, recognizing a combination of excellence on the diamond and in the classroom: Senior John Alkire II, juniors Tate Shimao and Tsubasa Tomii, and sophomores Grant Garman and Jake Redding.

The five Academic All-District selections set a new UH Mānoa baseball program record for a single season. The award recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances in athletic competition and in the classroom.

These five honorees were instrumental in helping the Rainbow Warriors finish fourth in the Big West regular season standings and qualify for the conference postseason tournament. UH is the only school in the conference to finish in the top five of the league each of the last five seasons.

Alkire II, Garman and Tomii all provided vital innings on the mound for a UH pitching staff that ranks No. 3 nationally with a 3.44 ERA, while Redding anchored the defense behind the plate and Shimao paced the offensive attack.

For more on the honorees, .

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NCAA championship trophy tour celebrates volleyball title across 鶹ýcampuses /news/2026/05/28/trophy-tour-uh-oahu-campuses/ Fri, 29 May 2026 02:22:28 +0000 /news/?p=235202 The trophy tour was organized by the UH Mānoa Athletics Department as a way to share the championship celebration with fans, students, faculty, staff and community supporters throughout 鶹ý.

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people standing next to a trophy
Honolulu CC

The University of 鶹ý at Mānoa’s “Our Team, 鶹ý’s Team” trophy tour brought the NCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship trophy to UH campuses and community locations across Oʻahu following the Rainbow Warriors’ national title victory earlier this month.

The tour began at UH Mānoa on May 20 with stops at Bachman Hall and 鶹ý Hall, and on May 22 at the UH Mānoa Bookstore, giving students, faculty and staff opportunities to take photos with the trophy and celebrate the program’s third NCAA championship.

“It was really cool,” said Colleen Licudine, a UH Mānoa employee and Rainbow Warrior volleyball fan who saw the trophy at Bachman Hall. “A lot of UH pride. My dad went to school here too, and so basically my whole life I’ve been watching games from back when even Dave Shoji was coach. Seeing the men’s team rise up and be really successful in their program too, it’s been really, really nice.”

The trophy later visited Leeward Community College and UH West Oʻahu on May 27, and Windward CC, Kapiʻolani CC and Honolulu CC on May 28, as part of a systemwide effort to thank the UH community for its support throughout the volleyball season.

“It was so cool,” said Shanelle Bartlett, Kapiʻolani CC student and UH fan. “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.”

people standing a smiling next to a trophy
Leeward CC

Hoʻomaikaʻi ʻoukou no ko kākou lanakila ʻana! (Congratulations on your win!),” said Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg. “We’re so proud of the ‘Bows and their win for the NCAA championship. Congratulations!”

One of the attendees who made a stop at Kapiʻolani CC was former UH men’s volleyball player from the 1970s Dalwyn Wong.

“This is great. It’s really good to see,” Wong said. “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.”

people standing and smiling next to a trophy
UH West Oʻahu

Other stops throughout the week included Honolulu Hale, 鶹ý State Capitol, Hawaiian Airlines, Skyline, local businesses, corporate partners and community events across Oʻahu. Additional events across the state are being planned, including other UH campuses.

“It really is gratifying to see how much joy and pride people take into, not only men’s volleyball but all the accomplishments in the athletic department,” said Charlie Wade, UH Mānoa men’s volleyball head coach. “Getting a chance to share this beautiful piece of art that symbolizes something really significant accomplishment, it’s pretty cool.”

people smiling next to a trophy
Windward CC

The Rainbow Warrior men’s volleyball team captured 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 national championship and its first since back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022.

The trophy tour was organized by the UH Mānoa Athletics Department as a way to share the championship celebration with fans, students, faculty, staff and community supporters throughout 鶹ý.

people smiling next to a trophy
Kapiʻolani CC

“Our team, 鶹ý‘s team, isn’t a slogan. It’s what we’ve really bought into and we want people to know that this championship is for them too,” said Eric Mathews, UH Mānoa athletics director of marketing and fan experience. “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 UH System that we have.”

people standing next to a trophy
UH Mānoa
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Rainbow Wahine soccer releases complete 2026 schedule /news/2026/05/28/rainbow-wahine-soccer-2026-schedule/ Thu, 28 May 2026 22:04:07 +0000 /news/?p=235166 The University of 鶹ý at Mānoa women’s soccer team unveiled its 2026 schedule

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U H wahine soccer players with schedule behind them

The has unveiled its 2026 schedule, highlighted by a robust early-season slate that will see every regular-season match prior to Mountain West Conference play contested at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Before making their historic debut in the Mountain West, the Rainbow Wahine will treat fans to seven regular-season home matches on Oʻahu. This pre-conference stretch is anchored by three consecutive tournaments hosted by UH: the OUTRIGGER Soccer Kickoff, the OUTRIGGER Invitational and the OUTRIGGER No Ka Oi.

The challenging nonconference schedule will bring several major programs to the islands. The regular season officially opens on August 13 against Texas Tech, followed by a matchup with Kansas State on August 16 to close out the opening weekend. The homestand continues when the Rainbow Wahine host Western Michigan on August 20 and Idaho on August 22 as part of the OUTRIGGER Invitational. UH Mānoa will then face local opponent 鶹ý Pacific in a single match on August 29.

The nonconference tournament schedule wraps up in early September with the OUTRIGGER No Ka Oi, where UH Mānoa will take on New Mexico State on September 3 and Washington State on September 6. In addition to the regular-season slate, the Wahine will also play a pair of exhibition matches: an early-August tune-up against Seattle University in Pukalani, Maui, on August 9, and an alumni match on the campus grass field on September 19.

Following nonconference play, the Rainbow Wahine will hit the road to kick off their inaugural Mountain West campaign. UH Mānoa opens league play in Colorado, facing Colorado College on September 24 and Air Force on September 27. The team returns to Honolulu on October 7 to host Nevada for its first-ever Mountain West home match.

After hosting UTEP on October 11, the ‘Bows return to the road to take on San Jose State (October 15) and UC Davis (October 18) before a three-match homestand against Grand Canyon (October 24), UNLV (October 28) and New Mexico (November 1). UH then ends the regular season on the road at Wyoming on November 7.

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7 鶹ýfootball games slated for national broadcast /news/2026/05/27/uh-football-tv-games/ Wed, 27 May 2026 21:18:29 +0000 /news/?p=235082 Seven University of Hawaiʻi football games will air nationally in 2026, including broadcasts on The CW, FOX Networks and ACC Network.

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2026 football tv schedule

Seven University of 鶹ý at Mānoa football games will air nationally this season, highlighted by six network broadcasts split evenly between The CW and FOX Networks as well as a season-opening matchup on the ACC Network (ACCN).

The Rainbow Warriors will kick off their national television slate on the road against Stanford on August 29, at 1 p.m. HST on ACCN. It will be the third season-opening matchup between the teams in the last four years.

Alejado preparing to throw the football

UH will be featured on The CW three times during the 2026 season. The home national television slate kicks off against UNLV on September 5 at 4 p.m. HST. The Rainbow Warriors will also appear on The CW for their September 26 road game at Wyoming, 9 a.m. HST, and a November 14 home contest against North Dakota State, 6 p.m. HST.

Three games have been selected by FOX Networks. UH will host New Mexico on October 17 and the Rainbow Warriors will close out their national television road slate on FOX with trips to UTEP on November 7 and Nevada on November 21. Final network designations and kick times for the three FOX Networks games will be confirmed at a later date.

The Mountain West Football Championship Game on December 4 will also be nationally televised on FOX for the seventh consecutive season.

In addition to the national broadcast slate, four UH games have been selected for broadcast on MW+—the streaming platform for teams in the Mountain West Conference. Local broadcast information regarding those games as well as details for UH‘s road game at Arizona State on October 10 will be released at a future date.

2026 National broadcast schedule

  • August 29 at Stanford—1 p.m. HST (ACCN)
  • September 5 vs. UNLV—4 p.m. HST (The CW)
  • September 26 at Wyoming—9 a.m. HST (The CW)
  • October 17 vs. New Mexico—Time TBA (FOX Networks)
  • November 7 at UTEP—Time TBA (FOX Networks)
  • November 14 vs. North Dakota State—6 p.m. HST (The CW)
  • November 21 at Nevada—Time TBA (FOX Networks)

2026 MW+ broadcast schedule

  • September 12 vs. New Mexico State—TBA
  • October 3 vs. San José State—TBA
  • October 24 at NIUTBA
  • November 28 vs. Sacramento State—TBA
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5 鶹ýWahine softball players earn academic honors /news/2026/05/27/wahine-softball-honors/ Wed, 27 May 2026 20:26:21 +0000 /news/?p=235019 The academic qualification for the Academic All-District teams is a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade-point average.

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five softball players

Five members of the earned recognition for excellence both on the field and in the classroom, earning 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors.

Junior shortstop Milan Ah Yat, sophomore pitcher Taryn Irimata, junior infielder Jamie McGaughey, senior infielder Carys Murakami and senior pitcher Hannah Pitts were all recognized for combining strong academic achievement with standout athletic performances during the 2026 season. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average while also meeting competition requirements.

The group helped lead the Rainbow Wahine to a successful season that included multiple all-conference and regional honors. Irimata was named Big West Pitcher of the Year after posting one of the league’s top pitching performances, while McGaughey paced the team offensively and earned all-region recognition. Ah Yat, Murakami and Pitts also played key leadership roles throughout the season.

Beyond athletics and academics, the student-athletes were also active in community service efforts across 鶹ý and their hometowns. Their volunteer work included food distribution, environmental cleanups, youth sports coaching and support for local families and kūpuna.

McGaughey was also selected as a CSC Academic All-America finalist, advancing to the national ballot.

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Four Rainbow Wahine track and field athletes earn NCAA First Round bids /news/2026/05/26/track-and-field-ncaa-bids/ Tue, 26 May 2026 21:15:59 +0000 /news/?p=234945 It’s the fifth consecutive year that the Rainbow Wahine has sent multiple competitors to the NCAA First Round.

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graphic of four athletes

The had four student-athletes earn spots in the NCAA First Round in Fayetteville, Arkansas, set for May 27–30.

Lilian Turban earned a bid in the high jump and javelin, Tara Wyllie secured a spot in the triple jump, Samaria Vital clinched a spot in the discus and Robyn Larkan is NCAA bound in the 100m hurdles.

It’s the fifth consecutive year that the Rainbow Wahine has sent multiple competitors to the NCAA First Round and the second straight year that at least four are bound for the preliminary round of the national meet.

Turban, the Big West runner-up and 2023 high jump All-American, is into the field in her signature event for the fourth time in her career with a season mark of 1.80m. She also qualified in the javelin for the second consecutive year, with a season-best mark of 48.12m.

Wyllie has qualified for the NCAA First Round triple jump for the third time in her career, taking a mark of 12.93m into the postseason. Vital earned her first career trip to the NCAA First Round in the discus, throwing 51.95m at the Big West Championship to vault up the regional rankings. School-record holder Larkan rounds out the group of Rainbow Wahine bound for nationals, taking her time of 13.44 seconds into the postseason.

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Turban named Big West Championship Field Athlete of the Meet

graphic of an athlete

For the second consecutive season, Turban took home Big West Championship Field Athlete of the Meet honors following her all-around strong performance at the conference championship meet, May 15–16. Turban totaled 16 points across three different field events to put up more than one-third of the UH Mānoa team total for the meet. The Rainbow Wahine placed eighth as a team with 47 points.

The senior turned in a runner-up finish in the high jump to put up eight points, clearing 1.78m (5-10). She matched champion Zharia Taylor of UC Irvine in clearance height but lost out to Taylor due to having three more failed attempts.

Turban added five points to the team total in the javelin, coming in fourth with a toss of 46.03m (151-0) on her third attempt. She also placed sixth in the shot put with a mark of 14.61m (47-11.25) to cap off her scoring for the meet with three points.

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4 Rainbow Wahine water polo players earn All-America honors /news/2026/05/21/water-polo-all-americans/ Fri, 22 May 2026 02:01:19 +0000 /news/?p=234839 The Rainbow Wahine have produced at least four All-Americans in each of the last three seasons.

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graphic of four water polo players

After claiming a third straight Big West title and NCAA tournament appearance, four members of the were named to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Division I All-America teams for the 2026 season, the organization announced May 21.

Sophomore attacker Agatha Weston earned ACWPC All-America Second-Team honors, while junior goalkeeper Daisy Logtens, sophomore attacker Ema Vernoux, and freshman utility Ariadna Temprano Xambó received All-America honorable mention recognition.

With this season’s selections, UH Mānoa has featured at least one All-American in all 29 seasons since the program’s inception in 1998. The Rainbow Wahine have produced at least four All-Americans in each of the last three seasons.

UH Mānoa finished 16-6 in head coach James Robinson’s second year at the helm, sweeping the Big West regular-season and tournament crowns for a third year in a row. The ‘Bows went undefeated in conference play and extended their winning streak against Big West competition to 29 consecutive victories dating back to 2024. UH Mānoa concluded its season at the National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo Championship in La Jolla, California, securing three consecutive NCAA bids for the first time in program history.

For more on the awardees, .

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Historic finish: Golfer Bercan sets 鶹ýHilo national championship scoring mark /news/2026/05/21/bercan-golf-scoring-mark/ Thu, 21 May 2026 22:41:03 +0000 /news/?p=234789 The senior from Canada finished the three-round tournament with a five-under total.

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golfer hitting a shot
Dylan Bercan

Dylan Bercan closed with a two-under 70 to finish at five-under and place in a tie for 18th place at the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championships at Boulder Creek Golf Club near Las Vegas on May 20. In newly released rankings on May 21, Bercan stands at No. 78 in the nation.

The senior from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada finished the three-round tournament with a five-under total—the best score posted by a Vulcan at a national championship—following Nick Mason’s four-under score in 2005 (runner up) and seven-over total in 2004 (4th place).

After back-to-back bogeys on holes 11 and 12 to go three-over in the final round, Bercan responded with an eagle on the par-five 13th hole, followed by three consecutive birdies to go two-under in the round. Bercan entered the day tied for 15th after shooting a four-under 68 in round 2 and a one-over 73 in round 1.

The back-to-back PacWest Conference champion qualified for the national tournament as an individual after tying for fourth at the South Central/West Regional, placing among the top two individuals not affiliated with a qualifying team.

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Rainbow Wahine soccer releases 2026 Mountain West schedule /news/2026/05/21/soccer-inaugural-mw-schedule/ Thu, 21 May 2026 19:23:43 +0000 /news/?p=234769 All conference soccer matches will be available live on the new Mountain West subscription streaming platform.

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graphic of a soccer schedule

The team knows its path for its inaugural season in the Mountain West as the conference released the 2026 league schedule May 20.

The Rainbow Wahine will open their first Mountain West campaign with a challenging two-game road trip in Colorado. UH Mānoa kicks off conference play on September 24, taking on Colorado College. The team will then travel to face Air Force on September 27, wrapping up the opening week of Mountain West action.

Following a bye during the second week of conference play, the Rainbow Wahine will treat fans to their first-ever Mountain West home matches in early October. The historic home opener is set for October 7 against Nevada. The inaugural homestand continues later that week as the Rainbow Wahine welcome UTEP to the islands on October 11.

Mid-October will see the team embark on another road trip, this time heading to California. UH Mānoa is scheduled to play at San José State on October 15, before visiting former Big West foe UC Davis on October 18. Returning home, the Rainbow Wahine will face off against Grand Canyon on October 24.

The regular season will conclude with a crucial stretch of matches, beginning with back-to-back home games. UH Mānoa will host UNLV on October 28, followed by its home finale against New Mexico on November 1. The Rainbow Wahine will travel for their final regular-season contest, taking on Wyoming on November 7.

The Mountain West Women’s Soccer Championship scheduled for the week of November 8. All of UH Mānoa’s women’s soccer conference matches will be available live on the new Mountain West subscription streaming platform.

UH Mānoa’s non-conference matchups will be released at a later date.

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