National champ University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa men’s volleyball returning to Hilo
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Vulcans Athletics and Vulcan Booster Club invite Big Island volleyball fans to enjoy “A Night of Champions,” featuring a celebratory dinner in honor of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa men’s volleyball and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo women’s volleyball.
The special evening is planned for Sept. 26 at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on Hilo’s historic and scenic Banyan Drive. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and remarks from head coaches and student-athletes, program highlights and opportunities for photos and autographs starting at 6:30 p.m.
“Hawaiʻi is a volleyball state through and through, and bringing together the reigning national champion Rainbow Warriors and our own Vulcan Wāhine allows us to celebrate the exceptional talent [throughout] University of Hawaiʻi while giving our passionate local fans an unforgettable evening,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletics Director Patrick Guillen in a Hilo campus release.
The Rainbow Warriors are making a return trip to Hawaiʻi Island with another interisland intrasquad showcase at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 27 following a Vulcan women’s volleyball tilt at 2 p.m. against Hawaiʻi Pacific University.
Both matchups will be hosted at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa island hopped over last October for an intrasquad showcase before going on to capture the program’s third official NCAA National Championship in May.
“We extend our gratitude to the Vulcan Booster Club for their unwavering dedication to our program and for driving this incredible initiative,” Guillen said, adding University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is thrilled to partner with community sponsors — who he called “community champions” — to host “A Night of Champions.”
Community sponsors are Big Island Candies, Bank of Hawaiʻi, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and Hawaiian Airlines.
Tickets for the “A Night of Champions” dinner are available for purchase now on Eventbrite and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Vulcans Athletics website. Table sponsorships and tickets are limited and must be reserved in advance.
Prices are $100 for individual tickets and $1,000 for sponsored tables of 8, including two volleyball players.
All proceeds support the Vulcan women’s volleyball program.
Fans will have another photo session opportunity from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at Big Island Candies in Hilo to snag a signed poster and take a photo with the team — and perhaps the NCAA National Championship trophy.
Los Angeles Rams public address announcer and Association of Volleyball Professionals Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee Sam Lagana will also make a return trip to the Big Island on Sept. 27 for the lineup of volleyball fun.
Contact Guillen at 808-932-7170 or via email at pguillen@hawaii.edu for additional information and to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
