By: Annaliese Gumboc
Saturday, August 19th marks the second annual “Pretty in Pink” Sistahhood Social, an all-women fundraising event hosted at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex and spearheaded by Sherry Chang, wife of UH head coach Timmy Chang. Up to 300 women will get to experience a fun-filled night featuring football drills, auctions, a tour of UH’s football facilities, a chalk session with Timmy Chang, and meet-and-greets with ‘Bows players and coaches. It’s a great opportunity for women to learn more about football or meet other female fans.
“I think football is obviously a male-dominated sport and even a fan base…it can get a little intimidating,” Sherry said. “I want women to feel comfortable coming to the football games and to be able to understand and enjoy it more. And I want them to connect to our team and our players and our staff.”
The social will also include food, adult beverages, photo opportunities, a great playlist, and gifts. All participants will receive an exclusive Sistahhood Social shirt and a clear swag bag that comes in handy for game days. “It’s just a really chill, fun night for ladies, and then of course we’re raising a lot of money for these boys,” said Sherry.
All the proceeds from the Sistahhood Social will go toward feeding Rainbow Warriors, which has been a priority for Timmy Chang since he took over the program in 2022.
Nutrition is an often overlooked aspect of player success. Student-athletes require substantial fuel to perform at the DI level, and the cost of acquiring nutritious meals can be a heavy burden, especially for out-of-state players who have less access to support. If the school doesn’t provide meals, some athletes may have to resort to a cheaper but unhealthy diet, which can negatively impact their performance and general lifestyle.
When the Changs first arrived, UH was providing athletes with just one meal a day, and only during the school year, according to Sherry. Creating a fundraiser to address this deficit became Sherry’s first project as the head coach’s wife. “I just thought, this is the perfect opportunity for me to get involved, get the women in our community involved, and then on top of that, do it for a good cause,” she said. “It’s kind of like my first baby, and I’m so proud of it.”
Bringing the Sistahhood Social to Hawai’i wasn’t easy. The social is the first women’s clinic in UH history to serve as a fundraiser for the school, and due to its unprecedented nature, had to go through a long approval process. By the time the project was completely greenlit, the first event was only two weeks away.
Sherry and her committee worked quickly and tirelessly to put the first Sistahhood Social together at the last minute. The result was a resounding success.
“It definitely exceeded our expectations,” Sherry said. “I was super happy with the turnout. I was super happy with the community coming together, the businesses, the donations.” The women had a blast participating in activities and learning a bit about football, and felt comfortable asking coaches questions. Sherry received positive feedback for months afterwards, from women who’d enjoyed the event.
The first Sistahhood Social raised a whopping $75,000. With that money, the Changs were able to provide players with two meals a day throughout the entire football season, plus daily snacks and protein shakes. This year, Sherry is setting the goal even higher: $100,000.
But the Sistahood Social isn’t just about raising money—it’s about creating a fun space for women to become more involved in the Hawai’i football community.
“You really just get to come with your girlfriends, kick back, and really get this whole football experience,” Sherry said. “We’re in the football stadium alone, like it’s super intimate, so you really feel the whole atmosphere around you. There’s all the football players there, coaches, there’s lots of photo opportunities, but there’s also just getting to connect with other women that will be attending games that you’ll see moving forward.”
If you’re interested in attending the upcoming Sistahhood Social, you can register at https://rainbowwarriorfootballcamp.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT
Check out last year’s video!