HILO, Hawai`i—The team that first put Hawai`i Hilo basketball on the map and a man that has been involved in Vulcan athletics as a volunteer for over 40 years will be inducted into the University of Hawai`i at Hilo Vulcan Athletic Hall of Fame this fall.

Coach Jimmy Yagi's 1976-77 men's basketball team and volunteer Dennis Miyashiro represent the 20^th class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the Campus Center Dining Hall. The UH Hilo women's volleyball team will play Chaminade following the banquet at 7:30 pm in the UH Hilo Gymnasium.

Miyashiro has donated his time and service to UH Hilo athletics since the 1970's. He has served as the President of the Vulcan Booster Club in the group's infancy and as the head of the Hui Kokua Kolepa, the support group for the men's golf program. He still annually coordinates at least four fund raising tournaments a year for the UHH men's golf program. His relentless dedication and energy helps raise $25,000 per year.

Miyashiro is involved in numerous organizations and foundations throughout the town of Hilo. He and wife Bobbi still hold center court seats for basketball games, just as they did in the 1970's.

In the 70's, 1976-77 to be exact, Miyashiro and thousands of other locals caught Vulcan basketball fever when UH Hilo's squad upset NCAA Division I teams, won an NAIA District championship and went to the national tournament in their first year of four-year college competition.

Under the direction of Yagi and Athletic Director Ramon Goya, the Vulcans turned the Hilo basketball community upside down. Beginning with a pair of upset wins at home over Division I squads Nebraska and New Mexico, the Vulcans routinely filled up the 3,000-seat Hilo Civic Auditorium and often had to turn fans away.

The Vulcans would go on to win the NAIA District II title, defeating Willamette in the title game and earning a berth to the prestigious NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City. UH Hilo won their opener at Kemper Arena but then fell to Illinois Wesleyan in overtime in the second round. On the court, UH Hilo lost only three times—once in the national tournament and twice to NCAA Division I North Carolina-Charlotte, who went on to reach the NCAA Final Four. They were 23-3 on the year, although they had to vacate their opening two wins, lopsided routs against BYU-Hawaii, because of the use of an ineligible player, making their official record 21-5.

Coach Yagi and four members of the '76-77 team are already in the UH Hilo Hall of Fame as individuals—Jay Bartholomew, Bill O'Rear, Mark Lovelace, Gilbert Hicks, along with Goya. Other team members include David Corbelli, Rama Camarillo, Doug Cameron, Steve Coccimiglio, Terry Huffman, Bill Naylor, Daniel Singleton, Thomas Zeimantz and Bill Walling. Assistant coaches were Joey Estrella and Dwight Sumida, and the manager/trainer was Howard Suzuki.

Tickets for the event are $75. The 2017 University of Hawai`i at Hilo Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is presented by KTA Super Stores. Information regarding tickets, sponsorships and banquet tables can be obtained by calling 808-932-7168.