Grand Canyon University coaches to bring a club sports clinic to Big Island next week

Local high school athletes can meet with club sports coaches for free clinics in Kona and Hilo next week.

Grand Canyon University is flying one of its athletic directors and club sports coaches to the Big Island to host two free clinics designed to give high school students a taste of collegiate athletics while helping athletes gain valuable exposure and experience.

The clinics will include a combine – athletic testing and a performance assessment for athletes from all sports – and specific skills training for baseball and men’s and women’s rugby.

These events are open to all high school students, however, incoming high school seniors and recent graduates have a chance to potentially qualify for a club sports scholarship at Grand Canyon University.

Grand Canyon University hosts a vibrant club sports program, which gives more students the opportunity to compete in their sport at a high level while maintaining a more balanced college experience. The school has 13 men’s and 12 women’s teams set to play this coming school year.

The club sports clinics will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kuawa Fields in Hilo on Tuesday, July 15, and at Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona on Wednesday, July 16. The schedule for both days has been set:

• 8 a.m.: Registration begins;
• 9–9:45 a.m.: Presentation and leadership training by club sports and admissions staff;
• 10–11 a.m.: Combine – open to athletes from any sport – not limited to those offered in the skill clinics;
• 11–11:15 a.m.: Break and move to sport-specific training areas;
• 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: Sport-specific skills training;
• 1:45–2:00 p.m.: Closing remarks.

“This is an incredible chance for student-athletes to learn from college-level coaches, explore their future in collegiate sports, and connect with Grand Canyon University’s athletic community,” said Alexis Toledo, a Grand Canyon University admissions counselor based in Puna.

The clinics are free to attend and spots are limited, but online registration will be open until the event begins. The first 50 students to register will score a Grand Canyon University t-shirt.

Registration can be found here. For more information, email alexis.toledo@gcu.edu.