The UH Letterwinners Club was formed in 1997 in order to promote pride and fellowship amongst letterwinners and to provide assistance to past and present athletes.
The LWC holds receptions at the newly renovated clubhouse on the UH Manoa campus. At these gatherings, former athletes have the opportunity to get together and reminisce about their playing days. Aside from enjoying the company of former athletes, the LWC moves beyond socialization by giving back to current student-athletes.
The LWC donated laptop computers to the Nagatani Academic Center. With the help of these computers, student-athletes on the road are able to keep up with the demands of school while traveling. The club has also assisted with fund drives for former letterwinners—Nate Jackson (football) and John Mau (men's volleyball)—to help offset medical costs.
The current membership of the LWC is made up of 150 former athletes, with 72 of them being life members. Current members include former UH football head coach and alumnus June Jones (football, baseball, men's basketball); radio personality Dr. Larry Price (football, men's volleyball, track); former NFL running back Gary Allen (football); former dean of the UH College of Education, Dr. Charles Araki (football, track); UH men's basketball color analyst Artie Wilson (men's basketball, baseball); chairman of the board and director of the Finance Factors family of companies, Daniel Lau (baseball, track); UH men's basketball head coach Bob Nash (men's basketball); Mahina Eleneki Hugo (women's volleyball) head of La Pietra School for Girls in Honolulu; and current University of Hawai'i associate athletics director, Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano (women's volleyball).
The sole requirement of joining the LWC is to have been listed for at least one year on a roster of any sport recognized by the Athletics Department. Membership dues are based on when eligibility of the member was completed. It's free for up to one year following completion of eligibility. For those who completed their eligibility 5-plus years since competition, dues are $100 for the first year, $60 for renewal, and $30 for a spouse who is also a former letterwinner. For those enrolled 2 to 4 years since competition, $50 is due for the first year, $30 for renewal, and $15 for a spouse who is also a former letterwinner. Life members pay a one-time fee of $1000, which is either paid in one full payment, two payments of $500 within a two-year period, or three payments of $350 within a three-year period. The money collected from the lifetime membership fee is added to an endowment fund to ensure the perpetuation of the club.
Members of the LWC enjoy benefits which include: a 50-percent discount on a season ticket to a sport of their choice; a free ticket to one game and reception in Honolulu; a decal; and subscription to “Rainbow Letters.” Perhaps the greatest benefit for the members, however, is the opportunity to give something back to the UH athletics programs.
For more information on joining the Letterwinners Club,
please e-mail uhletwin@hawaii.edu
