LWC Clubhouse...The Gathering Place
Tucked away in a secluded corner of the lower (makai) campus, between the five-story parking structure and the Stan Sheriff Center, sits the UH Letterwinners Clubhouse, an oasis for former athletes.
It is in a wooden building, which was used as a classroom since the 1960’s, until it was abandoned when the current KLS Athletic complex was completed in 1981. In 1997, the club was able to secure the building, which was being used for storage of dilapidated equipment, desks and chairs.
Work then began on having the inside transformed thanks to a lot of volunteers and donations, in time, materials and monies.
The inside of the clubhouse is fully carpeted with air-conditioning, large tables used by the Board for its meetings and comfortable chairs for the members.
The clubhouse was finally completed in 2003, but it still went unnoticed to the general public except for the LWC board members. There is even a refrigerator so that board members may have cool water or soft drinks for their meetings.
It wasn’t until October 2004 that two large UH logos were placed on the sides of the structure, noticed by cars passing to enter the parking lot and pedestrians walking to the Sheriff Center.
The club and the clubhouse were the brainchild of Jim Donovan, a former football player who was the associate AD in charge of administration. Artie Wilson, a former basketball player and successful realtor, was elected the first president of the board. Under their leadership, the club was able to secure the building from the university. What followed were miracles performed by Wilson and Donovan which resulted in the current clubhouse. Total cost was $7,700.00, which is way less than what would have been if the club was to pay for it entirely.
A long-range plan is to have a toilet facility in the small room next to the meeting room but financially, it is not within the plans of the board. When that is done, more meeting and functions can be held which will hopefully result in a burgeoning membership.
