HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i women's sailor
Cole Brauer and men's volleyball player
Kupono Fey were the recipients of the 2017 Jack Bonham Award in recognition of their outstanding performances on and off the playing field. The announcement was made Monday night at 'Ahahui Koa 'Anuenue's "H" Awards at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The award is given annually to the top male and female senior student-athlete who "best exemplifies the ideals for which Jack Bonham stood for in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character."
Brauer, a native of East Hampton, N.Y., is a member of three national championship-qualifying teams and is a two-time Intercollegiate Sailing Association Academic All-American Team member. She has been selected to the Dean's List from 2013-16 and was the sailing team's top scholar-athlete in 2016.
During her time at UH, Brauer worked as a tutor at the Learning Assistance Center and served as a teaching assistant for the Department of Anatomy and Physiology. As a member of the Food Science and Human Nutrition Club, she helped feed the homeless. With the Food Science Council, she participated in festivals teaching children about nutrition. Last year, she taught kids how to swim. She will graduate this spring with a degree in food science and human nutrition with a pre-professional medical focus and intends to apply for medical school to become a doctor of osteopathy.
"Without question,
Cole Brauer is one of the finest individuals the UH sailing team has ever had," head coach
Andy Johnson said. "She has participated in three national championships, and over the course of her time with us, she has served as a team co-captain, named an Academic All-American, and was a member of the Dean's List. Throughout her college experience, she has found a passion for medicine and nutrition and aspires to become a doctor, specializing in women's health. She has spent her time here making a difference for others, working as a tutor and volunteering to help feed the homeless and helping Hawai'i's youth."
Fey, a Punahou School graduate and Honolulu native, is a three-year starter at outside hitter. Just last week, he was named an All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation honorable mention and boasts averages of 2.65 kills, 1.38 digs, and 0.53 blocks per set. As team captain, has helped lead the Rainbow Warriors to a No. 4 national ranking and to the MPSF Tournament semifinal round for the second time in his career.
Fey will graduate this spring with a degree in civil engineering. He is an active participant in the team's community service efforts and was featured in a public service announcement with his mother, former UH basketball player Shelley (Kahuanui) Fey, against domestic violence.
"Kupono has been a model representative of the Athletics Department his entire career," head coach
Charlie Wade said. "He takes great pride in representing UH and his home state. He has been a critical member of the team over his entire career and a three-year starter on teams that qualified for the MPSF playoffs. He is a captain and very clearly much more than a player to our program. He's earned the respect of his teammates and coaches through his hard work and dedication to the team."
Considered the most prestigious award in UH athletics, the Jack Bonham Award is named for the late assistant athletics director who was killed in 1974 in a plane crash in America Samoa. Bonham was returning to the islands from New Zealand where he was on a recruiting trip at the British Commonwealth Games.
Previous Bonham Award Winners
Male Female
2016 Kacy Johnson, swimming Katie Spieler, beach volleyball
2015 Taylor Averill, volleyball Genevieve Bradley, diving
Shawna-Lei Kuehu, basketball
2014 Davis Rozitis, basketball Emily Hartong, volleyball
2013 Pi'ikea Kitamura, baseball Kelly Majam-Elms, softball,
Stephanie Ricketts, basketball/softball
2012 Matt Sisto, baseball Kanani Danielson, volleyball
2011 Kealoha Pilares, football Emma Friesen, diving
2010 Andreas "Andy" Weber, tennis Aneli Cubi-Otineru, volleyball
2009 Solomon Elimimian, football Annett Wichmann, track and field
2008 Colt Brennan, football Kate Robinson, softball
2007 Mark Rodrigues, baseball Kanoe Kamana'o, volleyball,
Brittany Grice, basketball
2006 Alfred Reft, volleyball Allie Rowe, golf
2005 Chad Owens, football Jennifer Warnock, sailing
2004 Michael Kuebler, basketball Melissa Villaroman, volleyball
2003 Costas Theocharidis, volleyball Kate Judd, softball
2002 Predrag Savovic, basketball Molly O'Bryan, sailing
2001 Nerijus Puida, basketball Andrea Nishioka, water polo
2000 Dan Robinson, football Raylene Howard, basketball
1999 Michael Dartt, baseball B.J. Itoman, basketball
1998 Naveh Milo, volleyball Nani Cockett, basketball
1997 Carlton Oswalt, football Angelica Ljungquist, volleyball
1996 Clint Kuboyama, football Tania Brunton, basketball
1995 Jason Olive, volleyball Brandi Brooks, volleyball
1994 Jarinn Akana, basketball Melanie Azama, basketball
1993 Travis Sims, football Daniele Haia, softball
1992 Shawn Ching, football Heidi McElhanney, swimming
1991 Dane McArthur, football Patti Su'a, softball
1990 Jeff Ball, baseball Judy Mosley, basketball
1989 Amosa Amosa, football Sandra Budd, swimming
1988 Guy Farrow, swimming Reydan Ahuna, volleyball
1987 None Susan McDaniel, diving
1986 Michael Beazley, football Susan Hlavenka, volleyball
1985 Joe Lileikis, swimming Andrea Hawcridge, swimming
1984 None Rose Thomas, tennis
1983 Larry Goeas, football Joy Minaai, tennis
1982 Brandan Kop, golf Gillian Cooper, tennis
1981 Blane Gaison, football None
1980 Dean Dunn-Rankin, tennis Bonnie Gouveia, volleyball
1979 Ron Nomura, baseball Jane Zukaitis, tennis
1978 Harris Matsushima, football
1977 Gerald Ako, baseball; Alex Kaloi, football
1976 Marilyn Moniz, women's volleyball
1975 Gene Caranza, men's gymnastics
1974 Joey Estrella, baseball
Note: Only one award given the first five years
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