Vulcan Challenge 2024: UH Hilo Athletics Department kicks off fundraiser

Vulcan Challenge 2024 will run through Oct. 17, with the goal of raising $150,000 for immediate support of UH Hilo’s student-athletes in the 2024–25 academic year.

Collage of several athletes doing their sport activity.
(Photo courtesy of Vulcan Athletics)

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo will kick off its third Vulcan Challenge fundraiser on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in partnership with the UH Foundation, to raise funds to support the Vulcan Athletics department.

Vulcan Challenge 2024 will run through Oct. 17, with the goal of raising $150,000 for immediate support of UH Hilo’s student-athletes in the 2024–25 academic year. The last Vulcan Challenge, in 2022, raised $161,120 to support Vulcan Athletics.

Bonnie Irwin pictured.
Bonnie Irwin

“These contributions make a real difference for our student-athletes, enabling them to thrive both academically and athletically,” says UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “The funds raised directly contribute to their success and well-being, empowering them to reach new heights.”

The Vulcans are coming off a highly successful 2023–24 year, when UH Hilo re-captured the PacWest Conference Men’s Golf Championship and the PacWest Hawaiʻi Challenge. One of UH Hilo’s proudest achievements was the academic performance of its student-athletes, setting a new program record by attaining an impressive grade-point average of 3.28.

KTA Super Stores and the Taniguchi family are continuing their loyal support of the Vulcan Challenge, by matching the first $25,000 in gifts.

Pat Guillen pictured.
Patrick Guillen

“We are so grateful for Toby Taniguchi and his team KTA Super Stores and their steadfast support of the Vulcan Challenge and Vulcan Athletics,” says UH Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen. “This is the third time they are making a $25,000 matching gift, and it is in loving memory of Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi, KTA Super Stores’ founders.”

Donors can select a sport-specific program or choose to support the athletics director’s general fund, which will help in responding to urgent needs for critical services. Donations can also go toward supporting Vulcan Athletics sports medicine.

Vulcan logo V with flame, and the words Vulcan Challenge. Background is red and black, volcanic eruption.

For more information go to the UH Foundation website.

-UH System News media release.

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