HONOLULU - Vili Fehoko, better known as Vili "The Warrior" has signed a contract with the University of Hawai`i Athletic Department, Athletics Director Herman Frazier announced today.

The contract is a three-year deal that allows the option to renew for one-year terms. Fehoko's duties are to represent the UH Athletic Department as "The Warrior" at selected events.

"We're very proud to have Vili represent our athletic teams," Frazier said. "His enthusiasm and experience as an entertainer has certainly brought excitement to our events and we look forward to having that continue."

Fehoko, 37, gained his experience as an entertainer at the Polynesian Cultural Center where he worked for nearly 20 years.

"I'm honored to be associated with UH Athletics," Fehoko said. "I take great pride in being `The Warrior' and am very appreciative to the people who have supported me throughout this process, especially Herman Frazier, (UH Head Football) Coach June Jones and (local businessman/UH booster) Don Murphy."

Although Fehoko is not the "official" mascot of UH Athletics, he has been a mainstay at Warrior football games for the past two seasons, this being his third. UH Football Coach June Jones is more than satisfied with the agreement.

"Vili brings so much excitement to our games these past few years," Jones said. "He gets the players pumped up during introductions and the crowd responds to him, and that certainly helps us."

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