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.

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.

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 NIU—TBA
• November 28 vs. Sacramento State—TBA

Watching his grandson Marco shag balls at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex football field, Mark Robison looks beyond the game to envision a future. During a recent walk around the Mānoa campus he asked Marco where he might want to go to college. The sixth grader quickly replied, “probably UH.”

That simple answer reframed something for Robison. Inspired by Marco—and by granddaughter Bianca, a dedicated ʻIolani volleyball player—he began supporting UH women’s volleyball and athletics more broadly.

“This is my way of showing up for Bianca and acknowledging the sport that she is so dedicated to,” he said.

Even as he looks toward the future, Robison’s heart remains tethered to a gritty, golden era of UH football that began with an unexpected phone call decades ago.

From West Point to Waiʻanae

Growing up in a low-income household in Washington state, Robison had his life mapped out for him by his father: attend West Point, serve four years and land a job on Wall Street.

UH defensive coordinator Larry Price had a different plan.

To this day, Robison has “no idea how he found him,” but Price’s recruitment pitch worked. Robison turned down West Point to play for the then UH ‘Bows, a decision that upset his father so much he refused to speak to him for a year.

“He was one of those working-class guys who always wanted better for his kids,” Robison said. “He was firm and stubborn in what he thought was best for me.”

Robison arrived in the islands as an outsider in 1973, but he didn’t stay one for long—especially since his mother was born on a plantation in Lahaina. The weekend before classes even began, some local teammates invited him to a three-day wedding party in Waiʻanae. Robison recalls the reception vividly, specifically the “aunties” who didn’t hold back.

“You’re a football player?” Robison recalled. “You must be the punter because you look like one skinny kid.”

Hard Lessons, Lasting Loyalty

Robison credits much of his later success to his time under coaches Larry Price and Rick Blangiardi. Practices were intense, and Blangiardi was known to deliver high-decibel commands on the line of scrimmage. While the practices were grueling, Robison remains grateful for that level of pressure.

“They taught me about loyalty, commitment, hard work, perseverance and discipline,” he said.

Today, Robison is a “true believer” that UH football can compete at the top level. However, he acknowledges the landscape has shifted from the olden days. He points to the challenges of the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) era, noting that it takes strategy to keep key players—such as a quarterback or wide receiver—from transferring to schools raising millions in NIL funds. To support UH‘s NIL program, Robison recently contributed $270K.

“It’s an honor to be a ‘Bow,” Robison said, “and my continued support is give from the heart.”

Read more at the .

—By Simplicio Paragas

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa athletics department presented its highest individual honor, the , to Lilian Turban of track and field and football running back Landon Sims at the 13th annual H Awards ceremony, April 28.

Lilian Turban

Turban has achieved a level of consistent excellence across her five years that is unmatched in program history. Spanning her career in indoor and outdoor track and field, Turban is a two-time All-American in the high jump, an eight-time Big West champion, and a nine-time NCAA qualifier. Turban has also cleared six feet in the high jump seven times in her career, a milestone considered the benchmark of a world-class high jumper.

As the unanimous pick among her teammates to serve as team captain for 2025–26, Turban became the first international student in her event group to hold that distinction. She was twice voted the Big West Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year across all sports. In the community, Turban volunteers at the Oʻahu Bright Lab art studio in Mānoa, and her experiences working with children at the studio have inspired her to pursue art therapy after graduation.

Landon Sims

Sims is a second-generation Rainbow Warrior football player who wore the same No. 30 jersey as his father. Sims was named the team’s Offensive MVP in 2025, and added to the family legacy by helping the Rainbow Warriors’ return to the postseason for the first time in five years, capping his career with a victory in the Sheraton �鶹��ý Bowl.

Academically, Sims graduated cum laude in the 2025 spring semester and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in finance. He was a 2025 semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. Sims volunteered with Grace Honolulu’s children’s ministry and worked with Special Olympics �鶹��ý, Unity Prom and the Tim Tebow Night To Shine.

The Bonham Award

Named for the late assistant athletics director who was killed in a plane crash in American Samoa in 1974, the Bonham Award is given annually to the top male and female senior student-athlete who “best exemplifies the ideals for which Jack Bonham stood for in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character.”

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Record-breaking kicker Kansei Matsuzawa, affectionately known as “The Tokyo Toe,” signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on April 25.

During his time at UH, Matsuzawa rewrote the program’s record books. In his stellar 2025 senior season, he made 27 of 29 field goals, setting a new single-season school record and finishing second in the nation in made field goals. He tied a 43-year-old FBS record by making 25 consecutive field goals to start the season.

Overall, Matsuzawa connected on 26 consecutive field goals stretching from the end of 2024 through November 2025, which matched the Mountain West Conference record and shattered the previous UH school record of 20 set by Jason Elam in 1989. He leaves UH as the most accurate kicker in program history, boasting a career field goal percentage of .867 (39-of-45).

His on-field dominance earned him unprecedented recognition. Matsuzawa became the first consensus All-American in UH program history. He was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year, a finalist for the Lou Groza Award (joining only Jason Elam in UH history), and a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the nation’s top player who began their career as a walk-on.

Matsuzawa’s signing marks the culmination of one of the most incredible stories in college football. A native of the Tokyo area and a former high school soccer player, Matsuzawa did not begin kicking until age 20 after attending an NFL game during a trip to the U.S. Driven to pursue the sport, he taught himself the mechanics of kicking by watching YouTube videos, eventually earning an opportunity at Hocking College in Ohio before joining UH as a walk-on prior to the 2023 season.

For more, visit the .

Larry Price, a celebrated University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa scholar-athlete, coach and longtime supporter of the university, is remembered for a life that bridged athletics, education and service to the community. Price died March 27, at the age of 91.

Price distinguished himself as a leader on the football field at UH Mānoa, becoming the only player in program history to be elected team captain three consecutive years from 1962 to 1964. He later earned recognition as one of the greatest players in school history, including selection to the program’s all-time team and designation as “Rainbow of the Decade” for the 1960s. He also played in three Hula Bowl games and signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Rams.

Price’s impact at UH extended well beyond his playing days. After earning his bachelor’s degree in recreation leadership in 1967 and a master’s degree in educational administration in 1971 from the UH Mānoa College of Education, he returned to campus to mentor the next generation. He served as head men’s volleyball coach from 1969 to 1972, resident manager of the athletic dormitory and later head football coach from 1974 to 1976. During his tenure as head coach, UH became an NCAA Division I member, changed its nickname to the Rainbow Warriors, introduced the “Hula-T” formation, and on September 13, 1975, christened the newly-built 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium against Texas A&I.

“I’ve considered all of the people I went to school with my friends forever,” Price said in a . “The faculty took particularly good care of me,” he added, specifically pointing to his “favorite faculty member,” Harold St. John, from whom he took a botany course.

In the classroom and across campus, Price was equally dedicated. He went on to earn a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California and completed postdoctoral work at Stanford University, while also serving as an assistant professor at Chaminade University of Honolulu. At UH, he later led the Small Business Management Program, continuing his commitment to education and professional development.

His legacy includes a lasting connection to the broader �鶹��ý community. Price built a distinguished career in media, joining KSSK Radio and becoming a familiar voice to generations of listeners. As a television journalist with KITV4, he earned national recognition for his documentary work. Price was also known for his sports commentary and his signature “katoosh!” call.

Throughout his life, Price remained closely tied to UH. He was a , and 1989 UH Distinguished Alumni Award honoree. Price was also a life member of the UH Alumni Association with the UH Mānoa Letterwinners Club and College of Education Alumni Association.

—By Marc Arakaki

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa will open the 2026 season on the road against Stanford University before playing a full conference slate in the Mountain West Conference.

The Rainbow Warriors will begin the season August 29, at Stanford, marking a Week 0 matchup against the Cardinal. UH will then return to Honolulu for its home opener and first Mountain West game on September 5, against UNLV at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

�鶹��ý will play a 12-game schedule featuring six home games and six road games.

2026 Rainbow Warrior football schedule

• August 29—at Stanford
• September 5—UNLV*
• September 12—New Mexico State
• September 26—at Wyoming*
• October 3—San José State*
• October 10—at Arizona State
• October 17—New Mexico*
• October 24—at Northern Illinois*
• November 7—at UTEP*
• November 14—North Dakota State*
• November 21—at Nevada*
• November 28—Sacramento State

*Mountain West game

The date for the Mountain West Championship Game has not yet been announced.

Read more at .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa will host Sacramento State on November 28, 2026 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, marking the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

The matchup replaces the first game of a previously scheduled home-and-home series with UMass that had been set for that date. The Rainbow Warriors will now seek a replacement opponent for the August 28, 2027 season opener that was originally scheduled against UMass.

Sacramento State will be entering its first season as an Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program in 2026 as a member of the Mid-American Conference.

Other nonconference matchups on UH’s 2026 schedule include road games at Stanford (August 29) and Arizona State (October 10), along with a home game against New Mexico State (September 12). The Rainbow Warriors also recently added North Dakota State to a future season schedule after the Bison joined the Mountain West Conference.

To see the full schedule, visit .

Updated conference opponents for the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa team’s 2026 season were announced February 24 by the Mountain West. The new matchups come after the addition of North Dakota State to the league earlier this month.

The Rainbow Warriors will host the Bison at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in addition to three teams previously scheduled to make the trip to Honolulu in New Mexico, San Jose State and UNLV. UH Mānoa will travel to Nevada, Northern Illinois (NIU), UTEP and Wyoming.

UH Mānoa will take on all three new members of the Mountain West—Northern Illinois, North Dakota State and UTEP in 2026. The Rainbow Warriors have never matched up with both NIU and North Dakota State. UH Mānoa and UTEP were longtime rivals in the Western Athletic Conference where the Rainbow Warriors hold an 18-13 series advantage. The teams last met in 2004.

UH Mānoa’s 12-game schedule includes six home games and six road games. The Rainbow Warriors’ previously announced non-conference slate includes home games against New Mexico State (September 12), and Massachusetts (November 28) and road games at Stanford (August 29) and Arizona State (September 19).

Mountain West Home Games

• New Mexico
• North Dakota State
• San Jose State
• UNLV

Mountain West Away Games

• Nevada
• NIU
• UTEP
• Wyoming

Twenty-five student-athletes were named to the Mountain West Academic All-Conference team for strong performances in the classroom and on the field.

To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least one academic term, while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and competing in 50% of their teams’ completed varsity contests.

Among the student-athletes recognized include fourth-year honorees Karsyn Pupunu and Landon Sims, third-year honoree Jamih Otis, and second-year honorees Elijah Palmer and All-American placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa.

For a full list of honorees, visit the .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa earned first-team 2025 Academic All-American honors, by the College Sports Communicators.

Matsuzawa is the ninth Rainbow Warrior to gain academic All-America recognition and the fourth UH Mānoa player to gain a spot on the first team joining Kealoha Pilares (2010), Chris Shinnick (1997) and Travis Sims (1992).

The academic award adds to one of the most accomplished seasons in Rainbow Warrior history. Matsuzawa set new UH Mānoa records for single-season and consecutive field goals made—27 and 26, respectively. He also tied a four-decade old Football Bowl Subdivision record by converting his first 25 field goals of the season. By the year’s end, the senior became the ʻBows first-ever consensus All-American, was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award.

Matsuzawa graduated in December with a 3.68 GPA in interdisciplinary studies.

Read more at .

The is drawing early national attention heading into the 2026 college football season, with .

In its preliminary outlook released January 22, ESPN projected UH as the top-ranked Group of Six conference champion, a designation that would currently earn an automatic berth in the playoff field. The projection places the Rainbow Warriors in the No. 12 spot and among teams from the nation’s power conferences in the sport’s most high-profile postseason format.

“This is a nice acknowledgment for our players and the work they’ve put in, but we realize that it’s just a projection. It doesn’t change what we have to do day to day,” Head Coach Timmy Chang said. “We know there’s a lot of work ahead, and everything still has to be earned on the field.”

2025 breakthrough season

The early recognition follows a breakthrough 2025 campaign under Chang. UH Mānoa finished 9-4, earned a thrilling �鶹��ý Bowl victory and posted wins against power-conference opponents, helping elevate the program’s national profile.

ESPN’s projection cited the Rainbow Warriors’ challenging schedule as a potential advantage in the Group of Six race. UH Mānoa is scheduled to face Stanford and Arizona State during the 2026 regular season, matchups that could bolster its postseason résumé against Power Four opponents while competing for a conference title in a reconfigured Mountain West Conference.

The playoff projection envisions UH Mānoa opening the postseason on the road against USC, a matchup that would pair the Rainbow Warriors with one of college football’s most recognizable brands. Final playoff selections remain subject to on-field results, conference championships and committee rankings.

“This kind of early attention brings visibility to our University and reflects the momentum we’re building,” Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “We understand there are still countless hours of preparation ahead of the team before a down is played next season, but it speaks to the growing excitement surrounding �鶹��ý’s football program and UH Mānoa Athletics overall.”

The Rainbow Warriors are scheduled to begin spring practice in February. UH Mānoa opens the 2026 season on the road at Stanford out of the Atlantic Coast Conference on August 29.

reached new levels of national visibility in 2025, with leadership news and on-field success capturing attention across the college sports landscape.

A story announcing Matt Elliott as UH Mānoa’s next athletic director ranked among the top 10 most-read items of the year in D1.ticker, a widely read newsletter for NCAA Division I athletics decision-makers. Elliott’s appointment reflects growing interest in UH’s athletic leadership among national audiences.

On the field, the �鶹��ý Bowl, which saw the Rainbow Warriors win in a nail-biting finish over Cal, drew an estimated 2.7 million viewers, placing the game in the top 14 nationally among non-College Football Playoff bowl games.

“These metrics show two sides of national visibility—industry attention and fan engagement,” UH Mānoa Professor Wayne Buente said. “Being widely read by athletic directors and administrators through D1.ticker, while also drawing millions of viewers to a �鶹��ý Bowl broadcast, reflects UH Mānoa Athletics’ growing relevance across the college sports landscape. The �鶹��ý Bowl being on traditional mass media has a wide reach and the UH Athletics social media team did a great job latching onto that event and building strong engagement over the holidays.”

The �鶹��ý Bowl’s high viewership was accompanied by strong engagement on UH Athletics’ social media channels. Between December 24 and 26, football posts on official X, Facebook and Instagram accounts generated more than 5.5 million impressions, 209,416 engagements and more than 1.2 million video views. These numbers were a result of 36 posts on X, 24 on Facebook and 26 on Instagram during the holiday period that kept fans engaged and amplified excitement around the team’s successes.

The Communication Program is housed in the in the UH Mānoa .The post UH Mānoa Athletics captures national attention with leadership, bowl success first appeared on University of Hawaiʻi System News.]]> 228200 /news/2026/01/06/five-football-academic-honors/ Tue, 06 Jan 2026 20:26:20 +0000 /news/?p=227852 Five UH Mānoa football players were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, honoring their achievements on and off the field.

Call it a Christmas Eve miracle in Mānoa.

A Sheraton �鶹��ý Bowl matchup already brimming with storylines and local connections saved its most dramatic moments for last when a backup quarterback threw the winning touchdown pass with 10 seconds left to lift the to a thrilling 35-31 win over California on December 24 at a sold-out Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

After UH Mānoa quarterback Micah Alejado orchestrated a comeback from a 21-point deficit, backup Luke Weaver wrote himself into program lore by lofting a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle in a holiday wish come true to provide an emphatic punctuation on a breakthrough season for the Rainbow Warriors.

The Rainbow Warriors (9-4) faced their largest first-half deficit of the season when Cal scored on its first three possessions to jump out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter. UH Mānoa stormed back by scoring on four consecutive drives to score 21 unanswered and tied the game early in the fourth quarter after �鶹��ý Bowl MVP Pofele Ashlock caught his second touchdown pass of the game. After a Cal field goal, UH Mānoa took its first lead of the game when Brandon White pulled in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Alejado.

Cal see-sawed ahead on a quarterback sneak just after the 2-minute timeout, and the Rainbow Warriors delivered one more holiday wish come true with Alejado leading the Warriors deep into California territory before having to go to the sideline with an injury with 15 seconds showing. Weaver, who had stepped in for Alejado twice earlier in the game, then connected with Cenacle to electrify the sellout crowd.

The Rainbow Warriors tied the largest comeback in program history—matching rallies against Michigan State in 2004 and Washington in 2007—in UH Mānoa’s ninth bowl win.

Alejado completed 32-of-46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Two scores went to Ashlock, who tied the game record with a career-high 14 receptions covering 123 yards. Cenacle caught eight receptions for 59 yards, the last 22 coming on the game-winner from Weaver, who completed two throws in place of Alejado on the final drive.

The Rainbow Warriors reached the nine-win mark for the first time since 2019 and the 16th time in program history. Timmy Chang has been part of four of those seasons, three as a player (2001–03) and now as head coach. The only two-time MVP in �鶹��ý Bowl history, Chang, prevailed in the 2025 coaching duel with former UH Mānoa teammate and interim Cal head coach Nick Rolovich.

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placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa became the program’s first consensus All-American after being named to three of the NCAA’s five official All-America teams.

The Japan native was named to the first team by the Walter Camp Foundation, Associated Press (AP) and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). He was a second team selection by The Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

No other UH Mānoa football player was named to more than one of the official All-America selector teams. Offensive lineman Hercules Satele was UH Mānoa’s last first-team honoree by the FWAA in 2007. Among UH’s other honorees by the NCAA’s selector teams include placekicker Jason Elam (1992 Kodak-AFCA) and defensive lineman Al Noga (1986 AP).

Thus far, Matsuzawa has been named to 12 All-America teams including to the first team by five selectors—AFCA, AP, CBS Sports, Walter Camp and Pro Football & Sports Network. He was named to the second team by seven others—FWAA, The Sporting News, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, Sports Info Solutions, USA Today and On3.

In addition, Matsuzawa was one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top placekicker and was selected as the Mountain West’s Special Teams Player of the Year. He was also presented a proclamation by Honolulu City and County Mayor Rick Blangiardi—a former UH player and coach—who proclaimed December 18, 2025, “Kansei Matsuzawa Day.”

Nicknamed the “Tokyo Toe,” Matsuzawa’s story has become one of the most compelling in college football. A native of Ichikawa, Japan, he grew up playing soccer and didn’t attempt his first kick until age 20 after attending an NFL game in Los Angeles. He taught himself how to kick by studying YouTube videos and eventually earned a spot at Hocking College in Ohio. After two seasons there, he joined the Rainbow Warriors as a walk-on in 2023.

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The has received a $300,000 gift from the (DACH) to support the Rainbow Warrior football program through the team’s Boost the ’Bows Fund, which is set up to support UH Mānoa Athletics’ ability to recruit and retain elite student-athletes.

The contribution is a major philanthropic commitment to the football NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) fund and marks a significant milestone for UH Mānoa Athletics as it adapts to the rapidly changing landscape of college sports.

College athletics has undergone a significant transformation in recent years with the emergence of NIL programs, which allow student-athletes to receive compensation for endorsements, appearances and other partnerships.

“University of �鶹��ý NIL support is essential to retaining and recruiting top student-athletes who choose to represent the State of �鶹��ý,” said UH head coach Timmy Chang. “In today’s collegiate landscape, NIL opportunities directly impact the current and future success of our programs.

“Donations from partners like DACH play a vital role in providing our student-athletes with the resources they need to compete at the highest level,” Chang added. “With continued support from the community and donors, University of �鶹��ý NIL can reach its full potential. Please support the University of �鶹��ý NIL as we continue to build excellence and proudly represent the Pacific as the region’s No. 1 university.”

Over the past few years, DACH has been involved in supporting UH student-athletes with various NIL opportunities. As the landscape has continued to evolve, and with new guidelines now allowing the university to directly manage institutional NIL agreements with student-athletes, DACH has chosen to contribute the remaining funds directly to the Boost the ’Bows Fund. This approach allows UH Mānoa Athletics to administer NIL support in a centralized and coordinated way.

“This was a collaborative effort from several leading �鶹��ý organizations, including aio, American Savings Bank, Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Queen’s Health Systems, �鶹��ý Pacific Health, HMSA, Island Insurance, and the Waterhouse Foundation, all of whom share a commitment to strengthening the future of UH Athletics,” said Brandon Kurisu, vice president for DACH, which was formed in 2012 by the owners and top executives of trusted downtown �鶹��ý businesses. “Boost the ’Bows is a vital tool for building a strong, competitive program, and we’re proud to support the student-athletes who inspire our community.”

The framework for college athletics recently changed once again following the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows universities, for the first time, to enter into direct, institutional NIL agreements with student-athletes across all sports. This change gives athletics departments a crucial new tool to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining top talent, especially for programs like UH football that rely on homegrown athletes and statewide support.

“The Downtown Athletic Club’s gift is an investment in the future of our football program,” said UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott. “It helps us remain competitive and is the first of what we hope will be many commitments in this new era of NIL. A big mahalo to DACH for their generosity and support of our program.”

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in supporting UH student-athletes can learn more about the Boost the ’Bows Fund and how they can get involved by visiting .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa made program history, becoming the first consensus All-American in Rainbow Warrior football history after earning first-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Matsuzawa has now been named to the first team by the AFCA, Associated Press (AP) and Walter Camp Football Foundation, which are among the five organizations that make up the NCAA’s annual consensus All-America team. The final two teams, The Sporting News and the Football Writers Association of America, will be announced in the coming days.

Matsuzawa joins Jason Elam as the only Rainbow Warriors to earn AFCA first-team All-America honors. Earlier this season, Matsuzawa broke Elam’s school record for consecutive field goals and finished the regular season 25-for-26 on field goal attempts.

He is only the second Rainbow Warrior football player to be named AP first-team All-American and the first to earn Walter Camp first-team honors.

Earlier this month, head coach Timmy Chang was named AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year, marking the first time a �鶹��ý coach has received the honor.

To date, Matsuzawa has earned first-team All-America recognition from four organizations, along with several second-team selections.

All-America Teams:

• AFCA – First Team
• Walter Camp – First Team
• Associated Press – First Team
• CBS Sports – First Team
• The Athletic – Second Team
• Sports Illustrated – Second Team
• Sports Info Solutions – Second Team
• USA Today – Second Team
• On3 – Second Team

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa was named to the Walter Camp All-America first team, becoming the first UH Mānoa player in program history to earn first team honors by the organization. Matsuzawa was also the only non-Power Conference player selected to the first team.

The Walter Camp All-America team is the oldest college football All-America team and is celebrating its 136th edition in 2025. It is one of five All-America teams that make up the NCAA‘s annual consensus team along with The Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, The Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America.

Matsuzawa, who finished the regular season 25-of-26 in field goal attempts, has already been named to several other All-America teams. “Tokyo Toe” captivated the nation this season with his incredible story and record-breaking feats, including tying a 43-year old NCAA record for consecutive made field goals to start a season.

Matsuzawa is one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top placekicker. He is the second ʻBows kicker to become a finalist along with Jason Elam. Matsuzawa is also on pace to become the school’s most proficient kicker, having made 88% of his career attempts.

All-America Teams

• Walter Camp – First Team
• CBS Sports – First Team
• The Athletic – Second Team
• Sports Illustrated – Second Team
• Sports Info Solutions – Second Team

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa added another historic achievement to his standout season, becoming just the second Rainbow Warrior ever named to the Associated Press (AP) All-America First Team. Matsuzawa was also named to the Walter Camp and CBS Sports All-America First Team.

The Tokyo, Japan native joins Al Noga, who earned the honor in 1986, as the only Rainbow Warrior players to receive first-team recognition from the AP.

Matsuzawa’s selection marks the first time a UH Mānoa football player has been named an AP All-American since Greg Salas earned third-team honors in 2010.

Voted on by the 52-member AP Top 25 panel, the AP All-America team is one of five organizations that contribute to the NCAA’s official consensus All-America honors. In addition to the three first team honors, Matsuzawa has been named to five All-America second teams.

Nicknamed the “Tokyo Toe,” Matsuzawa finished the regular season 25-of-26 on field goal attempts and was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award.

All-America Teams:

• Walter Camp – First Team
• Associated Press – First Team
• CBS Sports – First Team
• The Athletic – Second Team
• Sports Illustrated – Second Team
• Sports Info Solutions – Second Team
• USA Today – Second Team
• On3 – Second Team

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