Bold move: UH football receives a $300,000 boost to strengthen its NIL program. The University of Hawaiʻi Athletics Department has accepted a generous gift from the Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi (DACH) to support the Rainbow Warrior football program through the Boost the 'Bows Fund. This fund is designed to enhance UH Athletics’ ability to recruit and retain elite student‑athletes by leveraging Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities.
This donation marks a major milestone for UH Athletics as the college sports landscape rapidly evolves with NIL. In recent years, NIL programs have allowed student‑athletes to earn compensation from endorsements, appearances, and partnerships, reshaping recruiting and competition across colleges.
“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 are crucial in providing student‑athletes with the resources needed to compete at the highest level. With ongoing community and donor support, University of Hawaiʻi NIL can reach its full potential. We invite continued support for the University of Hawaiʻi NIL as we build excellence and proudly represent the Pacific as the region’s No. 1 university.
Over the years, DACH has helped UH student‑athletes through various NIL opportunities. As guidelines evolve to allow direct institutional NIL management, DACH has redirected the remaining funds to the Boost the 'Bows Fund. This move enables UH Athletics to administer NIL support in a centralized, coordinated manner.
“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,” explained Brandon Kurisu, Vice President of 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.”
The NCAA/House v. NCAA settlement recently reshaped how NIL can be used by universities. For the first time, institutions can enter into direct, institutional NIL agreements with student‑athletes across all sports, giving athletics departments a powerful new way to recruit and retain top talent—especially for programs like UH football that rely on local talent and statewide support.
“The Downtown Athletic Club’s gift is an investment in the future of our football program,” said UH Athletics Director Matt Elliott. “It helps us stay competitive and represents the first of what we hope will be many commitments in this new NIL era. A heartfelt mahalo to DACH for their generosity and continued support.”
If you’re interested in supporting UH student‑athletes, you can learn more about the Boost the 'Bows Fund and find ways to get involved by visiting the UH Athletics Support page.
