Aloha UH Hilo Athletics Ohana,

On behalf of the Hawai`i Hilo Athletics Department, I wanted to reach out and provide an update on what we have been doing during the COVID-19 pandemic and how we are assisting our student-athletes, coaches and staff while we navigate this crisis.

It was just a month ago when our softball and baseball teams were sitting at the airport waiting to board their plane to San Francisco to represent UH Hilo and the call was made for them to not board the plane and return to campus.  Our women's golf team was competing in Arizona and in between rounds when I informed Coach DeMello to stop play and come back home.  These were extremely difficult calls to make but they were the right calls in the interest of the health and safety of our students and staff.

Today, just 30 days later, it still pains me to think of our spring seasons cut short especially for those senior student-athletes who's collegiate playing careers came to a crashing halt.  While the NCAA has made the right decision to reinstate a year of eligibility for those seniors, having the seasons end so abruptly was devastating and it broke my heart.  But everyone is safe and healthy and that is what matters most.

Since then, with moving to online classes, most of our student-athletes have gone back home.  Our coaches continue to stay in touch virtually, via text, phone calls and emails making sure that they are progressing academically and adapting to this new situation.  Most of our staff is working remotely from home and a very limited number come into the office to help maintain the day-to-day items that still need our attention and to be here for any of our student-athletes that remain here locally.   We continue to have our staff and coaches meetings via video conferencing and have adapted well to this new method while maintaining the social distancing parameters that we are all responsible for in order to get through this crisis.  I am extremely proud of our coaches and staff for being calm and determined while continuing to fulfill our duties in the face of these unprecedented hardships.

I believe that challenging times tend to bring out the best in us and I see that with our corporate and community partners giving of their time and treasure to meet the needs of our community in so many different ways.  There are many ties that bind us all together that make the Big Island and Hilo such a special place and I know Vulcan Athletics is grateful to be just one of those ties in our amazing community.  Please continue to support our local businesses during these challenging times.  They have been there for us and we want to be there for them.  

We miss our fans out at the games and cheering on our Vulcans.  We miss our students and the life they bring to our campus.  But I know you all are safe and secure and that is what is most important.  We will continue to monitor the situation and take the necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans.

This situation will pass and I look forward to seeing you all once again very soon.  Until then, our thoughts are with you and your ohana.  Stay safe.  Be well.

Mahalo for your support.

Go Vulcans!