Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors

Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors
Name	Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors
University	University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Conference	Mountain West Conference (primary), Big West Conference (baseball, women's sports except soccer & swimming), MPSF (men's volleyball, women's water polo & swimming)
Director	Craig Angelos
Location	Honolulu, Hawaii
Stadium	Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex (football), Stan Sheriff Center (basketball, volleyball)
Mascot	Vili the Warrior
Nickname	Rainbow Warriors, 'Bows

Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors. The Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, competing primarily in the Mountain West Conference. The program fields teams in a diverse array of sports, with its nationally prominent men's volleyball and football teams drawing significant local and national attention. The "Rainbow Warriors" nickname, adopted in 1974, reflects the unique cultural and geographical identity of the islands, with teams often simply called the "'Bows."

History

The athletic program's origins trace back to the early 20th century, with the university's first organized team being football in 1909. For decades, teams competed as the "Deans" or "Fighting Deans" before becoming the "Rainbows" in 1923. A significant shift occurred in 1974 when football coach Larry Price advocated for the "Rainbow Warriors" name to instill a more formidable identity. The program achieved NCAA Division I status and has been a member of several conferences, including the Western Athletic Conference before joining the Mountain West Conference in 2012. Key historical moments include the football team's appearance in the 1981 Holiday Bowl under coach Dick Tomey and the men's volleyball team's rise to a national powerhouse, capturing multiple national championships.

Athletic programs

The Rainbow Warriors sponsor seven men's and twelve women's varsity teams. The football team competes in the Mountain West Conference and plays its home games at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The highly successful men's volleyball team, a member of the MPSF, has won multiple national titles. Men's basketball also competes in the Mountain West, while baseball and most women's sports, including women's basketball, women's volleyball, and softball, compete in the Big West Conference. Other notable programs include women's water polo, soccer, and swimming and diving, with the latter two also aligned with the MPSF for competition.

Notable athletes and coaches

The program has produced numerous professional athletes and iconic coaches. In football, standout players include Colt Brennan, a Heisman Trophy finalist, and Jason Elam, a longtime NFL placekicker. Legendary football coaches include Dick Tomey and June Jones, who led the team to the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Men's volleyball has been defined by coaches like Mike Wilton and Charlie Wade, who guided teams to championships, with players like Costas Theocharidis and Deuce Cooper earning national honors. In basketball, players such as Tom Henderson and Anthony Carter had significant professional careers, while coach Riley Wallace led the program for two decades. Baseball alum Kurt Suzuki enjoyed a long Major League Baseball career.

Facilities

Primary venues include the Stan Sheriff Center, a 10,300-seat multi-purpose arena on the Mānoa campus that hosts basketball and volleyball. Football moved to the on-campus Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in 2023, after many years playing at the off-campus Aloha Stadium in Halawa. The Les Murakami Stadium is the home of Rainbow Warriors baseball, while the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex hosts swimming and water polo events. Other facilities include the T.C. Ching Fields for softball and soccer practice and the Hawaiʻi Tennis Complex.

Rivalries

The program's most intense and historic rivalry is with the BYU Cougars, particularly in football and volleyball, stemming from their shared history in the Western Athletic Conference. The football matchup with the UNLV Rebels is contested for the Island Showdown Trophy. A significant local rivalry exists with the Hawaiʻi Rainbow Wahine women's volleyball team's annual matches against the Stanford Cardinal, though the men's program has fierce conference rivalries within the MPSF against teams like the UCLA Bruins and the Pepperdine Waves in volleyball. Games against Mountain West Conference foes like the Fresno State Bulldogs and San Diego State Aztecs are also keenly contested.

Traditions and culture

The program is deeply intertwined with Hawaiian culture. The football team's entrance is preceded by the sounding of a pū (conch shell) and the performance of the haʻa, a traditional Hawaiian war chant, led by mascot Vili the Warrior. The "Rainbow" name itself is a lasting symbol of the islands. The Royal Hawaiian Band often performs the university's alma mater. A unique aspect of the culture is the widespread community support, known as "Rainbow Nation," and the significant travel challenge for visiting teams, known as the "Hawaii road trip," which is considered a competitive disadvantage for opponents making the long journey to Honolulu.

Category:University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Category:Mountain West Conference Category:NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision