UH FOOTBALL WILL PLAY MAUI SCRIMMAGE APRIL 11

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)

The University of Hawai`i Athletics Department has announced plans for a football scrimmage and autograph session on Maui as part of the “Warrior Bowl” tradition of concluding spring practice. The Warriors will fly to Maui on Saturday April 11th for an intrasquad scrimmage at War Memorial Stadium beginning at 11:00 a.m. (tentative), followed by an autograph session on the field.

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares said the event will be an exciting opportunity for youth and the community to experience warrior football action here at home.

The trip is being paid for with donations from sponsors McDonald’s and Oceanic Time Warner Cable, as well as support from Hawaiian Airlines and Panda Travel, and in-kind support from the County of Maui.

“Aside from O`ahu, Maui has the most pay-per-view subscribers, so UH definitely has a big following there and I’m sure the fans will really appreciate the opportunity to spend some time with the Warriors,” said Oceanic Time Warner Cable Vice President Norman Santos.

“As I repeatedly tell our players, we represent the state of Hawai`i. We’re very excited about scrimmaging on a neighbor island and allowing our fans on Maui to see us in person. We have many great fans there and this is our chance to thank them personally for their support,” said UH Head Football Coach Greg McMackin.

A separate “Warrior Bowl” intrasquad scrimmage will be held at Aloha Stadium on Saturday, April 25, at 3:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring their cameras and items to sign. Admission is free.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m., the Warriors will play the four-quarter “Warrior Bowl.” Fans are invited to sit in the stands on the Makai side of the stadium.

The Warriors opened spring practice Monday, March 30, at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex, which features a new artificial playing surface. UH has not practiced on the field since 2003.

UH Athletics director, Jim Donovan said, “We’re Hawai`i`s Team, so we are thrilled that we’ve been able to partner with McDonald’s, Oceanic, Hawaiian Airlines, Panda Travel, and the County of Maui in making this outreach initiative a reality. Without their support, we would never have been able to take our football team to Maui and have the opportunity to interact with UH fans on a neighbor island.”

(Originally posted:  February 27, 2009)