HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Athletics Department's highest individual honor, the Jack Bonham Award was presented to
Olivia Davies of women's basketball,
Kaylee Glagau of beach volleyball, and
Spyros Chakas of men's volleyball at the 11
th annual H Awards, Tuesday night.
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 American Samoa. Bonham was returning to the islands from New Zealand where he was on a recruiting trip at the British Commonwealth Games.
Since 1974, the Bonham 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."
UH's first Bonham Award recipient, Joey Estrella, was on hand to present the awards.
The tie for the women's award marks just the fourth tie since the award was first presented in 1974. Davies is the second basketball student-athlete in the last three years to win the award and 11
th all-time. Glagau is just the second beach volleyball recipient joining Katie Spieler in 2016.
Meanwhile Chakas is the fifth men's volleyball honoree in the last six years along with
Jakob Thelle (2023), Rado Parapunov (2021), Colton Cowell (2020), Stijn van Tilburg (2018) and 11
th all-time.
Olivia Davies, Women's Basketball
Throughout her career
Davies has exemplified the meaning of a student-athlete. Not only was she a key component to UH's back-to-back Big West Tournament championship teams, she was also an academic all-conference honoree, who holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and is working towards a master's in social work.
A team captain and Big West all-tournament selection, Davies received the program's top award this season, the Ah Chew Goo Award, as the most valuable team player. The Wasilla, Alaska native is also active in the community, helping with the Bella Project, YIP Camp, clinics, and visits to elementary schools.
"In my 25 years of coaching, I have encountered few young ladies with her integrity, vulnerability, work ethic, and commitment to self," women's basketball head coach
Laura Beeman said. "She has used her voice to advocate for mental health within her team, the department, and the community. Liv told her story publicly. She told it with no shame but only confidence and determination to help others.
"More importantly through her journey, she has practiced self-care. Her growth has been instrumental in her own life and has permeated the lives of her team and coaches. She embodies the Jack Bonham Award to its core."
Kaylee Glagau, Beach Volleyball
One of the winningest beach volleyball players in program history,
Glagau is approaching 100 career dual victories. She is a two-time All-American, two-time Big West Pair of the Year, and three-time all-Big West first team selection.
Since joining the program in 2020, the Mississauga, Canada native has a cumulative grade point average of 3.77 and has been named to the Dean's List for several semesters. She also has been a member of the HUGS internship, where she is gaining practical social work skills. In addition she has been a tutor and volleyball coach at Pālolo Elementary School since 2022 and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"Aside from her wins and accolades, what many don't know is how giving and caring Kaylee is as a human," beach volleyball head coach
Evan Silberstein said. "She came to UH during the ever difficult COVID fall 2020 with intent to receive her social work degree and she has come through on that promise to herself and our community. She has excelled in the classroom and has given back to the community helping with many team events.
"In total, she has done it all and exemplified aloha every step of the way both on and off the court. She is a kind-hearted and trusted leader in our locker room all while being a humble and proven winner for our program on a national stage. I can think of no better recipient of this year's Jack Bonham Award than
Kaylee Glagau."
Spyros Chakas, Men's Volleyball
Over his four-year career in Mānoa,
Chakas has proven to be one of the top athletes in his sport while helping lead the Rainbow Warriors to a pair of national titles and two Big West championships. He was well on his way to becoming a national player of the year candidate this year until a season-ending injury cut short his senior season.
The two-time All-American and two-time all-Big West first team recipient was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2022 NCAA Championship. The Nea Smyrni, Greece native was selected to other all-conference academic teams and honor rolls and will receive his bachelor's degree in psychology in May.
Chakas has been active in the community, working with the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai'i, HUGS Hawai'i, and the Lili'uokalani Trust.
"Spyros has an incredible resume as an athlete and student," men's volleyball head coach
Charlie Wade said. "But moreover, he represents the ideals which define the Jack Bonham Award. We have had many deserving recipients of this honor and none more deserving than Spyros."
#GoBows
