The University of Hawai‘i Athletics Department has received a $300,000 gift from the Downtown Athletic Club of Hawai‘i (DACH) to support Rainbow Warrior football through the Boost the ‘Bows NIL Fund. The contribution strengthens UH Athletics’ ability to recruit and retain elite student-athletes as college sports continue to evolve.
The gift represents a major philanthropic commitment to UH football’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) efforts at a pivotal time, as universities adapt to a rapidly changing collegiate athletics landscape.
“University of Hawaiʻi NIL support is essential to retaining and recruiting top student-athletes,” said head coach Timmy Chang. “NIL opportunities directly impact the current and future success of our programs, and support from partners like DACH plays a vital role in helping our student-athletes compete at the highest level.”
DACH has supported UH student-athletes through NIL opportunities in recent years and elected to contribute the remaining funds directly to the Boost the ‘Bows Fund as new guidelines now allow universities to manage institutional NIL agreements. This approach enables UH Athletics to administer NIL support in a centralized and coordinated manner.
“This was a collaborative effort from several leading Hawai‘i organizations that share a commitment to strengthening the future of UH Athletics,” said Brandon Kurisu, Vice President for DACH. “Boost the ‘Bows is a vital tool for building a strong, competitive program, and we’re proud to support the student-athletes who inspire our community.”
UH Athletics Director Matt Elliott called the gift an investment in the program’s future. “It helps us remain competitive and is the first of what we hope will be many commitments in this new era of NIL. A big mahalo to DACH for their generosity and continued support.”
Those interested in supporting UH student-athletes can learn more about the Boost the ‘Bows Fund by visiting Support Our Team, Hawai‘i’s Team.