UH Athletics launches ’Bows Athletics Club, creating new opportunities to support student-athletes

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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department, in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, is launching the 'Bows Athletics Club, a new fundraising and membership program designed to strengthen support for UH student-athletes while giving fans more flexibility in how they invest in the future of Hawaiʻi Athletics.

Beginning July 1, 2027, the 'Bows Athletics Club will replace the H-Club Athletic Fund and serve as the primary annual giving program for UH Athletics. While the new program officially launches in 2027-28, contributions and pledges made between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 will count toward 'Bows Athletics Club membership status and benefits, allowing supporters to begin earning membership status and benefits now.

Supporters can begin participating and earning membership status today

The new model allows supporters to direct their gifts to the teams, programs and student-athlete initiatives they care about most while earning benefits and recognition through a single, streamlined system.

The launch comes at a pivotal time for college athletics. As programs across the country navigate rapid changes in recruiting, student-athlete support and competition, private philanthropy is playing an increasingly important role in helping universities provide opportunities and resources for student-athletes to succeed.

At UH, support through the 'Bows Athletics Club will help fund resources that directly impact nearly 500 Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine student-athletes, including academic support services, nutrition programs, equipment, travel, training resources and other initiatives that contribute to success in competition, the classroom and the community.

For generations, Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine teams have united Hawaiʻi. The 'Bows Athletics Club creates a new opportunity for fans, alumni and supporters statewide to invest in the success of UH student-athletes and help ensure a strong future for Hawaiʻi Athletics.

"The 'Bows Athletics Club is about making it easier for people to support UH Athletics in the ways that matter most to them," UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. "Whether you've been a supporter for years or you're making your very first gift, every contribution helps create opportunities for our student-athletes. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported UH Athletics over the years, and we hope even more people will join us as we continue building Our Team, Hawaiʻi's Team."

The program aligns UH Athletics with best practice fundraising models used by Division I athletics programs across the country while providing greater flexibility and transparency for donors.

'Bows Athletics Club membership benefits

Membership levels begin at $100 and are based on total annual giving. Supporters who contribute at least $100 to an individual sport also become members of that team's booster club.

Depending on their giving level, members may receive benefits such as priority access to postseason tickets, invitations to exclusive events (including unique merchandise opportunities), hospitality experiences, eligibility to purchase reserved parking and other gameday opportunities. UH Athletics will be introducing additional member benefits over time, including exclusive merchandise opportunities available only to club members.

Annual Giving Membership levels include:

• Booster $100
• All-Conference: $500
• All-American: $2,000
• Champion: $5,000+

Donors who contribute $10,000 or more annually will receive additional recognition and status, with details to be announced in the days to come.

Loyalty points system rewards long-term support

A new loyalty points system that will complement the 'Bows Athletics Club recognizes both longtime supporters and new members. Points are earned through charitable giving, season ticket purchases and years of loyalty to UH Athletics.

The system will help determine priority access to postseason tickets, future ticket and seat relocation opportunities, and future seat selection opportunities at the new Aloha Stadium. While 'Bows Athletics Club annual membership levels are based on giving during the previous academic year, loyalty points recognize long-term support by incorporating eligible contributions and season ticket history dating back to 2001.

Early participation benefits

2026-27 H-Club members will automatically receive All-Conference status during the 'Bows Athletics Club inaugural 2027-28 academic year, ensuring a smooth transition as supporters become familiar with the new program.

Fans, alumni and supporters are encouraged to become part of the 'Bows Athletics Club and help support the next generation of Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine student-athletes.

Additional information about membership levels, benefits and giving opportunities is available through UH Mānoa Athletics.

For more, visit the UH Athletics website.

VIDEO:

BROLL: (1:39)

0:00-1:39 - UH Athletics 2025-26 highlights

SOUNDBITES:

Miliana Sylvester, UH Rainbow Wahine Middle Blocker

(0:18)

"I think the support directly helps us whether that's on or off the court with recovery, resources, for travel, helps with different scholarship and NIL opportunities. And I think those are really important if we want to recruit the highest level of players as well as retain them and keep them here in Hawaiʻi."

Timmy Chang, UH Football Head Coach

(0:19)

"You're developing student-athletes to be better people on and off the field and get them ready for the game of life. But with that support of the student-athletes and the investment, it goes a long way and so we can retain, we can recruit, and we can ultimately make our teams better."

Matt Elliott, UH Athletics Director

(0:15)

"I think this giving society is just really a great first step for us to say thank you, thank you so much to the people that have supported UH over the years. We want to recognize not just the immediate giving but lifetime giving as well, and we're really excited to create this new program."

Sylvester

(0:21)

"I'm so proud to play for the Rainbow Wahine, to be able to represent my home and the place that's raised me and just give back in different ways. I've had opportunities to use my NIL here in the community to run a clinic for foster youth, and so I think that's another perspective of how it benefits the student-athletes for us to then benefit the community that serves us."

Elliott

(0:17)

"First message is always Mahalo. We are so grateful for the support that we've received, but then I think the bigger picture is we're creating incredible opportunities for young people and the future leaders of our state to come in, be at UH, earn their degrees, and then help take us into what's next for the future of the state."