A Bold Investment: Downtown Athletic Club of Hawai‘i Puts $300,000 Behind UH’s NIL Drive
The University of Hawai‘i Athletics Department just received a substantial boost for the Rainbow Warrior football program: a $300,000 gift from the Downtown Athletic Club of Hawai‘i (DACH) to support the Boost the ’Bows Fund. This fund is designed to enhance UH Athletics’ ability to recruit and retain elite student-athletes, helping the program compete at the highest level.
This donation marks a major philanthropic commitment to UH’s Football NIL efforts and signals a significant milestone as college sports navigate a rapidly changing landscape. In recent years, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) programs have reshaped how student-athletes can earn compensation through endorsements, appearances, and partnerships. The gift underscores the growing importance of NIL support in attracting top talent to UH.
“Support for the University of Hawaiʻi NIL is essential to attracting and keeping outstanding student-athletes who choose to represent Hawaiʻi,” UH head coach Timmy Chang said. “In today’s college sports environment, NIL opportunities directly influence the current and future success of our programs.”
Donations from partners like DACH play a critical role in equipping our student-athletes with the resources they need to compete at the highest level. With ongoing backing from the community and donors, the University of Hawaiʻi NIL program can reach its full potential. We invite everyone to support UH NIL as we strive to build excellence and proudly represent the Pacific as the region’s premier university.
DACH has previously supported UH student-athletes with various NIL opportunities. As NIL rules evolved and the University began directly managing institutional NIL agreements with student-athletes, DACH decided to contribute the remaining funds directly to the Boost the ’Bows Fund. This approach enables UH Athletics to administer NIL support in a centralized, coordinated manner.
“This was a collaborative effort involving several leading Hawai‘i organizations, including aio, American Savings Bank, Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Queen’s Health Systems, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, HMSA, Island Insurance, and the Waterhouse Foundation. They share a commitment to strengthening UH Athletics’ future,” explained Brandon Kurisu, Vice President of DACH. Founded in 2012 by the owners and leaders of trusted downtown Hawai‘i businesses, DACH views Boost the ’Bows as a crucial instrument for building a strong, competitive program and is proud to support the student-athletes who inspire our community.
The landscape of college athletics received another major update after the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows universities to enter direct, institutional NIL agreements with student-athletes across all sports. This shift provides athletics departments with a powerful new tool to stay competitive in recruiting and retention, especially for programs like UH football that rely on local talent and statewide support.
“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 dedication to our program.”
If you’re interested in supporting UH student-athletes, you can learn more about the Boost the ’Bows Fund and how to get involved by visiting the UH Athletics Support page.
