HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i women's soccer Head Coach Michele Nagamine participated in a live chat, Thursday, October 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., on UH's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HawaiiAthletics.

Nagamine is in her fourth season at the helm of the Rainbow Wahine. She has revitalized the program, increasing the team's win percentage in each of her previous three seasons. Last year she led the team to its first winning road record in 10 years. Her players have garnered 11 all-conference and 19 all-conference academic citations. Meanwhile, Rainbow Wahine have led the Big West and have ranked in top 20 nationally in attendence in each of the last two seasons. 

Below is the transcript of the Facebook chat.

Q: If a genie were to grant you three wishes for the program, what would they be? And, what is your team's "go to" training food?
CB: No. 1 Soccer stadium with natural grass on campus No. 2 Unlimited recruiting budget No. 3 Team jet for all road trips! As far as training food, they love Panera Bread and if they win they get Chipotle.

Q: I should do the research, but am lazy. Where did you play soccer?
CB: I played at Kamehameha then at Santa Clara University.

Q: What other nicknames do you have and how did you get them and from who?
CB: Banzai was my nickname from Santa Clara soccer teammates and Memers was my nickname from 2nd grade friends at Kamehameha.

Q: What will be your parting words and advice for your seniors leaving you this year?
CB: I'm going to be so sad to see this group go. They have helped us to right the ship and put Rainbow Wahine soccer back on the map. I'll stress to them that they should continue to do good things every day because they are 100% capable of inflicting positive change. When this group came in as freshmen, we were ranked 289 out of 327 teams. This year we hit 89 out of 327. They've been a great group on and off the field!

Q: Coach Bud are you ever going to Schedule a game against the University of Pittsburgh? Just thought I would throw that out there.
CB: Howzit Inoke! I've been trying to get them out here! Help me out and talk to their coach!

Q: Are the games ever streamed?
CB: Our matches that are broadcast by Oceanic Time Warner Cable are streamed on OCtv and BigWest.Tv

Q: Who is your favorite teams to play against and why? Also you are the best
CB: I know I must be crazy when I say this but I loved playing UCLA this year. We got lickens but played them straight up and I loved the fighting spirit of our team. Love you brother!

Q: When are you going to make a golf tournament to benefit your team? Then Dave Shoji can play in yours for a change.
CB: Well John, since I'm such a good golfer, I've been thinking about this for awhile, lol! Actually we are hoping to host one in late spring. Hope you can make it! And bring Dave!

Q: I just love your positive outlook on everything. How do you keep your team motivated at every game?
CB: Hi Kathy! We try to focus on the journey that we are on and not just the immediate results. The culture that we've instilled here has the girls believing they must leave things better than when they found them - both on and off the field. While we love to win all the time, we understand that this experience is about more than just soccer. It's about persevering and pushing yourself, especially when you don't think you can go anymore.

Q: Hey Coach, how about holding a clinic for other coaches in your off season? We want to learn some higher level drills!
CB: Ok you got it! We'd like to hold something on campus to thank our loyal fans who are coaches for all they do. We hope to do this in the Spring. Be sure to keep checking our website for more info.

Q: When you are out recruiting what is it you're looking for? Speed? Height? Skill? Attitude? Do parent personalities/behaviors influence your decision to recruit a player?
CB: I'm looking for effort #1 and good technical ability. I like to see that a player enjoys the game and doesn't take herself too seriously. Creativity on the ball is another big one for me...can she be unpredictable and not just play the first thing she sees? Height and size don't really matter to me if a player is passionate and it shows in her play. Parent personalities definitely influence my decision to recruit a player because I know I'm going to have to deal with them for 4 years.

Q: What games do you look toward to playing and which team on your schedule do you believe has a similar strategy to yours?
CB: I enjoy playing teams like Long Beach and Irvine because they tend to possess the ball and I feel that their style of play matches up nicely with ours.

Q: How do you help the girls relax and have fun after a hard week?
CB: They beg me all the time to play World Cup at practice. Djibouti, a country located in Africa, is our most popular team in World Cup games! Yes I said Djibouti!

Q: Is Sparky ever going to travel with the team stateside?
CB: Hi Archie! The girls would love it! Monk & Erica are his favorites. Unfortunately budget cuts don't allow for mascot travel.

Q: No question. Just want to say how much we appreciate your efforts on behalf of the team and UH Athletics.
CB: Thank you so much Nancy!

Q: What is your biggest challenge in recruiting?
CB: Our biggest challenge has been getting parents to send their babies across the ocean. But after they have a chance to get to know us during the recruiting process, they see that we are truly an ohana away from home.

Q: What have been your goals for this season, and where do you think you stand in meeting them so far?
CB: Our goal for this season is to make the Big West Tournament. Fortunately that dream is still alive. My personal goal for this team was to teach the players how to handle adverse conditions and respond positively when things get tough. I believe this is one of the biggest lessons that athletics can teach.

Q: How do you like coaching the girls?
CB: I'm having the time of my life! I'm extremely blessed because our team is filled with characters who make me laugh everyday but work extremely hard as well!

Q: How would moving your games to campus help the program overall?
CB: Good question! The exposure we would generate with the student body would be the best thing. I'm constantly asked by them and the senior citizens who can't drive at night when we are coming back to campus! I do worry about losing our post-game crowds from Waipio. It's always been a great atmosphere out at Waipio. But were hoping we could build that same following on campus.