In 2004 Vince Goo retired as head coach of the University of Hawaii women’s basketball team following a 17-year career. Before Vince Goo became head coach of the Rainbow Wahine basketball program in 1987, the University of Hawaii had never won a conference championship…had never been to the NCAA Tournament…had never had a player earn All-American recognition.
In just his second year as head coach, UH won 20 games and earned its first-ever NCAA tournament bid, while Rainbow Wahine standout Judy Mosley earned All-American honors. His teams won 334 games, gained 10 post-season bids, captured three regular season conference titles and even in losses, such as near upsets of basketball powerhouses Connecticut and Louisiana Tech, earned admiration for a moxie that would define Goo’s squads.
For Goo it was as simple as ABC: academics, basketball and citizenship. For as much excellence his student-athletes achieved on the court, even more was expected off the court. Every player who finished her playing eligibility at UH left with a degree, a perfect graduation rate for the more than 40 players who completed their careers. His players have gone on to professions in medicine, education and law and have become leaders in the community. Coach Goo has touched the lives of dozen’s of student-athletes and leaves a legacy that will long be remembered at the University.
In 17 seasons, Goo won nearly 70 percent of his games and built a career record of 334-166, the most wins by any basketball coach in school history, men or women.On the court, the Rainbow Wahine have boasted three All-Americans, three conference players of the year and 21 all-conference performers during Goo’s tenure. Last season four Rainbow Wahine basketball players were named to the All-WAC Academic Team.
Many of Goo’s players have received much-deserved recognition. Three of his player were named winners of the NCAA Woman of the Year Award: Nani Cockett, BJ Itoman and Raylene Howard. The award honors student-athletes for their athletic and academic achievements, as well as service and leadership qualities. The same three players were also presented the Jack Bonham Award, UH’s highest student-athlete honor.
More than half of the players who have graduated under Goo have remained involved in basketball. Eleven players have gone on to play professional basketball, while more than a dozen have gone into coaching.
Goo didn’t take long to forge the program in the right direction. In just his second season as head coach, the Rainbow Wahine made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1989. Since then, Goo has directed the Rainbow Wahine to the “Big Dance” four more times (1990, ’94, ’96, ’98). He has also led the Rainbow Wahine to four 25-plus win seasons, including a school-best 28 victories in the 1992-93 campaign. In 1997-98, UH captured its first Western Athletic Conference regular-season championship and finished with a 24-4 mark.
Also highlighting Goo’s coaching tenure are back-to-back Big West regular-season championships (1993 and ’94), the program’s only Big West Tournament championship in 1996, and a second-place finish in the 1992 National Women’s Invitation Tournament.
In 1995-96, Goo directed the greatest turnaround in women’s collegiate basketball, as his squad won 23 games following a 6-20 campaign a year earlier. For his achievements, Goo has been awarded three Big West Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1989, ’93 and ’94. In 1998 he was named WAC Pacific Division Coach of the Year.
One of the program’s most exciting seasons came just three years ago when UH finished 26-8, shattered more than a dozen team and individual records and hosted post-season competition for the first time in school history. The Rainbow Wahine dazzled fans—both new and old—during consecutive wins over Santa Clara, BYU and Oklahoma State in their march to the 2001 WNIT semifinals.
Goo began his coaching career in 1969 when he headed the boys’ junior varsity basketball program at Castle High School on Oahu. Two years later, he served as boys’ head varsity coach, holding that position for six years. In 1977, Goo moved to Kaiser High School as the assistant boys’ varsity coach until he took over the head coaching reins two years later.
It wasn’t until 1984 that Goo began his coaching career at the collegiate level when he was hired by Bill Nepfel to serve as the Rainbow Wahine’s top assistant coach. Three years later, he took over the role as head coach and has since become the program’s all-time winningest coach.
Goo received his bachelor of science degree in health and physical education in 1969 from Southern Oregon State University. He obtained his fifth-year certificate from Hawai‘i in 1971, as well as a professional certificate from the Hawai‘i state Department of Education.
Goo and his wife, Gay, live in Hawai‘i Kai and have four children: Cappy, Kippy, Casey and Kimi. When not on the court, Goo can be found enjoying a round of golf.
