Breaking News: UH Men’s Volleyball to Play on Maui Feb. 12, 2011

By Wendy Osher

The University of Hawaii Men’s Volleyball team today announced it will play on Maui next month.  The February 12, 2011 game comes nearly a year after UH had to cancel a sold-out match on the Valley Isle because of a tsunami warning.  The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. against Cal Baptist University at the War Memorial Gym in Wailuku.

UH Head Volleyball Coach Charlie Wade joins UH Athletic Director Jim Donovan and Mayor Alan Arakawa in announcing an upcoming UH Volleyball game on Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vXdw70FaMA /] “We promised we’d be back,” said Jim Donovan, University of Hawaii Athletic Director during an announcement this morning in the Mayor’s office.

“We have a committment that we’re going to continue to go to neighbor islands with our teams so that our fans on the neighbor islands can see our teams live and in person,” said Donovan.

In terms of economic impact, Donovan said, “We believe there will be some fans from Oahu who will come over for a stay-cation.  But the most important thing for us is that fans here on Maui–we have a lot of them–will be able to come out and see us play live and in person, and that’s our number one reason for coming,” said Donovan.

According to Donovan, concession sales will stay on Maui; while proceeds from ticket sales will help to offset the cost of bringing both teams to to the Valley Isle.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa encouraged volleyball fans to attend the upcoming match saying, “How often do we get to see ranked teams play anyplace in this state, much less here at home.”

“Hopefully with this event, Maui people will be able to show the rest of the state that we really, truly want to have a lot of the activities brought here to Maui,” said Arakawa.

In addition to the game on Saturday, February 12, UH Head Coach Charlie Wade will join his staff and key players on Sunday, February 13 to host two clinics on Maui–one in the morning for intermediate-aged kids, and one in the afternoon for grades 9-12.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for kids up to 18 years old, and $6 for seniors over 65.  Tickets are available at Pacific Radio Group, located at 311 Ano Street in Kahului.  Tickets can also be purchased online at the University of Hawaii Athletics website or via phone at (808) 944-BOWS.