Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi gives $300K to Boost the ’Bows NIL fund

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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department has received a $300,000 gift from the Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi (DACH) to support the Rainbow Warrior football program through the team's Boost the 'Bows Fund, which is set up to support UH Mānoa Athletics' ability to recruit and retain elite student-athletes.

The contribution is a major philanthropic commitment to the football NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) fund and marks a significant milestone for UH Mānoa Athletics as it adapts to the rapidly changing landscape of college sports.

College athletics has undergone a significant transformation in recent years with the emergence of NIL programs, which allow student-athletes to receive compensation for endorsements, appearances and other partnerships.

"University of Hawaiʻi NIL support is essential to retaining and recruiting top student-athletes who choose to represent the State of Hawaiʻi," said UH head coach Timmy Chang. "In today's collegiate landscape, NIL opportunities directly impact the current and future success of our programs.

"Donations from partners like DACH play a vital role in providing our student-athletes with the resources they need to compete at the highest level," Chang added. "With continued support from the community and donors, University of Hawaiʻi NIL can reach its full potential. Please support the University of Hawaiʻi NIL as we continue to build excellence and proudly represent the Pacific as the region's No. 1 university."

Over the past few years, DACH has been involved in supporting UH student-athletes with various NIL opportunities. As the landscape has continued to evolve, and with new guidelines now allowing the university to directly manage institutional NIL agreements with student-athletes, DACH has chosen to contribute the remaining funds directly to the Boost the 'Bows Fund. This approach allows UH Mānoa Athletics to administer NIL support in a centralized and coordinated way.

"This was a collaborative effort from several leading Hawaiʻi organizations, including aio, American Savings Bank, Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Queen's Health Systems, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HMSA, Island Insurance, and the Waterhouse Foundation, all of whom share a commitment to strengthening the future of UH Athletics," said Brandon Kurisu, vice president for DACH, which was formed in 2012 by the owners and top executives of trusted downtown Hawaiʻi businesses. "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."

The framework for college athletics recently changed once again following the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows universities, for the first time, to enter into direct, institutional NIL agreements with student-athletes across all sports. This change gives athletics departments a crucial new tool to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining top talent, especially for programs like UH football that rely on homegrown athletes and statewide support.

"The Downtown Athletic Club's gift is an investment in the future of our football program," said UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott. "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 support of our program."

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in supporting UH student-athletes can learn more about the Boost the 'Bows Fund and how they can get involved by visiting Support Our Team - Hawaiʻi's Team.