Warriors thank the sponsors
The Hawaii basketball team is now just four days away from departing for its historic trip to Asia.
The Warriors are scheduled to depart Honolulu on Friday for a two-week trip that will include exhibition games in China and Japan.
The team attended a “Warriors to Asia” launch party on Monday evening at P.F. Chang’s restaurant near Ala Moana to thank the sponsors who made the trip possible for the program.
In particular, Hawaii head coach Gib Arnold recognized “The Starting Five” corporate sponsors for the trip: Bank of Hawaii, BEI Hawaii, Japan Airlines, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, and Starwood Hotels.
“We had to raise, literally, $150,000 to $200,000 in a very short time,” Arnold said. “From the time we started and asked, we had the money in 25 days. I don’t think there’s anyplace else in America, and it came from a lot of different people.”
Thanks to The Starting Five and other sponsors, the UH men’s basketball program was able to fund the entire trip through donations. The University of Hawaii did not have to dip into its budget to fund the trip, yet will reap the benefits of exposure that the Warriors will receive in China and Japan.
A group of fans is also expected to travel with the team, and the excitement is building for them as well. Walter Fairfax, a season-ticket holder, said he booked his trip with a buddy and will be visiting China for the first time in 28 years.
“The last time I went, the cities weren’t as big as they are now,” Fairfax said. “So I’m interested to see how much things have changed since I last visited. It should be fun.”
WarriorInsider.com will be on the trip as well, thanks to Tony Schmidt and Pacific Risk Solutions.
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Summer League title game set
Because of the launch party for the trip, the Warriors could not participate in the semifinal games of the College Basketball Summer League on Monday night at Manoa Valley District Park.
The top two seeds – Electricians Hawaii and Army – won the semifinal games and will meet in the championship game on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Electricians Hawaii has Zane Johnson, while Army has Hauns Brereton and Tyler Brown. It is unknown at this time if those players will participate in the championship game (the team departs for Asia on Friday morning). Trevor Wiseman is also on the Electricians team, but he will not be available due to an ankle injury.
Yep, you gotta recognize and thank your sponsors every time. You’ll never know when you may have to go back to them again.
Thursday’s game should be interesting if any of the UH guys decide to play. I’d say that’s an iffy one.
Dayton, remember to drink only bottled water otherwise you’ll be” running” all the way to the Great Wall.Remind the Gibster to watch out for the street vendors food as well .
Now that’s a solid starting five. Much aloha to the sponsors for getting the team to Asia and for the Schmidt ohana for sending Dayton along. The players are in for a trip of a lifetime; too bad a few others couldn’t make it. And here’s hoping the logistics will allow video transmission back here. Have a nice trip. And thanks for the update on the summer league final; no mention in our favorite morning paper.
I think it will be a nice journey to the The Hawaii basketball team. It also helps to gather the knowledge about Asia. Best of luck to the Hawaii basketball team for their nice trip. Thanks for your information.