Thursday, August 30, 2001
[UH ATHLETICS]
Hawaii athletic department kicked off its year-long 30th anniversary celebration of Rainbow Wahine athletics yesterday by announcing a scholarship endowment campaign. UH looks to add
scholarshipsBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThe goal is to create a $10 million endowment that will provide 105 scholarships over the next decade for Wahine athletes on the 11 women's teams at UH.
"This endowment embodies the celebration's slogan, 'Proud Tradition. Bright Future,' " said Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, UH assistant athletic director and senior women administrator.
"It builds on the tradition of UH Wahine athletes during the past 30 years by the coaches, competitors, administrators and fans, ensuring that future Wahine athletes have access to the best education and facilities available."
Hawaii athletic director Hugh Yoshida said, "By any measure, the women's athletic program at the University of Hawaii has come a long way in the 30 years since it was found in 1972.
"The program began with just 20 athletes and today almost 200 women participate in 11 sports and they compete at the highest level of collegiate competition. It's a good time to pause and reflect on what's been achieved because so much has been accomplished."
That first year, UH sponsored volleyball and track and field. Dr. Donnis Thompson was the administrator.
The press conference announcing the celebration was held in Klum Gym, apropos for a hot afternoon.
Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji, who started at UH in 1975, recalled how his team and women's basketball and the women's gymnastics team all shared Klum for practice after men's basketball was finished each day.
"If Larry Little stayed past 5:30 p.m. we started pounding on the doors at 5:35 p.m. Now we practice and play in an air conditioned arena," said Shoji.
The celebration starts Saturday in Klum Gym when there will be entertainment by the FM 100 All-Star Band, performances by the Rainbow Dancers and Rainbow Cheerleaders and the chance to meet and talk with coaches and athletes from teams over the last 30 years.
An Alumnae Weekend is scheduled for Nov. 8-11 that includes two Western Athletic Conference volleyball matches and concludes with a Sunday picnic honoring former Wahine athletes.
The National Girls & Women in Sports Day Clinic will be held Feb. 9, 2002.
A Prime Time Workshop for Women will be held Feb. 27, 2002.
The Rainbow Wahine Athletes Recognition Dinner and Scholarship Fundraiser is May 2, 2002. Water polo great and Olympic silver medalist Maureen O'Toole will be the keynote speaker.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
