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Soon after the University of Hawaii baseball team fell a game short of winning the 1980 College World Series, coach Les Murakami stood on the top dugout step at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium and vowed the Rainbows would return to Omaha, Neb.
Forty-six years later, the Rainbows still are waiting for a CWS sequel.
In 2013, Rosenblatt Stadium was demolished, with the site now owned by Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
The NCAA and CWS of Omaha Inc. had planned to celebrate the 1980 Rainbows’ 40th anniversary at the 2020 CWS. But those plans were canceled because of the pandemic. Maybe a Golden Anniversary in 2030 is the next option?
On Christmas Eve in 2019, a crowd of 19,539 saw junior Cole McDonald throw the decisive touchdown pass to Nick Mardner in the UH football team’s 38-34 victory over BYU in the Hawaii Bowl.
It would be McDonald’s last game in a Rainbow Warrior uniform. The next month, McDonald applied for the NFL Draft.
It also would be the final time fans attended an event in Aloha Stadium. The pandemic prohibited spectators in 2020. Citing safety concerns in December 2020, officials essentially shuttered Aloha Stadium for good. A new Halawa facility is expected to be ready in 2029, maybe, probably, a skosh later.
During an Aloha Basketball Classic practice at the Blaisdell Arena in 1986, Marty Blake, the self-styled NBA director of personnel, walked around with a tape measure and a tall story. Blake marveled about a raw forward from Southeastern Oklahoma State who could barely make a layup as a 5-foot-10 high school senior. But while working as a janitor, the player had a growth spurt, to 6-7, and decided to give college basketball a shot, where he excelled as a rebounder and post defender. And that’s how Blake gave himself credit for discovering Dennis Rodman.
Back in the day before combines and one-and-done players, college basketball seniors participated in the Aloha Basketball Classic. The alumni included AC Green, Charles Oakley, Chris Mullin, Reggie Miller, Mychal Thompson, Vinnie Johnson, Scott Skiles, Ron Harper and John Salley. In 1987, Blake raved about a wing from Central Arkansas — Scottie Pippen.
But the four-team, three-day event ended in 1987 after a decade-long run in Honolulu.
And that’s the thing about sports — and life. There’s an expiration date, whether printed or not. Former UH volleyball coach Mike Wilton used to tell reporters that quotes should have the shelf life of poke. Wait too long, and it’s time to get new quotes, because context matters.
Or as character Andy Bernard said in “The Office” finale: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good ol’ days before you’ve actually left them.”
Right now, these are the glory days for most UH sports fans.
The men’s volleyball team has settled scores with rivals BYU and Long Beach State. The baseball team has one of the best 1-2 starting pitchers with Isaiah Magdaleno and Hekili Robello. The football team is on a roll. And the men’s basketball team played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
These are not hastily assembled accomplishments. It took specific recruiting and scholarship-money management for volleyball coach Charlie Wade to put together a complementary rotation revolving around a setter who can quick-set to the six squares of the court, block and serve opponents out of system.
Baseball coach Rich Hill had the patience to develop Magdaleno from a closer into a Friday night starter and wait for Robello to complete a redshirt year. Hill and pitching coach Keith Zuniga also used the transfer portal to stockpile quality middle- to late-inning relievers.
Football coach Timmy Chang and offensive coordinator Anthony Arceneaux crafted a four-wide attack that is based in the run-and-shoot but has elements of controlled passing and run-pass options. The recruiting department searched the portal for talent. Associate head coach Chris Brown developed the pipeline with Bishop Gorman High, a national football power from Summerlin, Nev., and worked with untapped donors to compensate players. Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman also implemented an easy-to-learn, hard-to-defend scheme that eased the way for recruits.
The men’s basketball team’s success was not a creation of urgency, despite Eran Ganot’s contract being set to expire April 30. The planning began two years ago when six key seniors were set to depart at end of the 2023-24 season. With a grasp of the college landscape, the coaching staff sought an older roster, even if it meant one-and-done players. That meant recruiting ties and a bankroll.
The ’Bows failed to qualify for the 2025 Big West Tournament. But with help from a group of donors, Ganot was able to secure significant pledges ahead of the opening of the transfer portal.
A key was assistant coach Gibson Johnson’s ties that helped sign transfers 6-7 point guard Tanner Cuff (Evansville), 7-foot Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson and combo guard Hunter Erickson. Associate head coach Brad Davidson’s contact at South Dakota helped earn a commitment from Quandre “Dre” Bullock. Defensive coordinator Rob Jones signed Isaiah Kerr from Chico State. Johnson then signed Isaac Finlinson, the 2025 junior college player of the year; post Gytis Nemeiksa was granted a bonus season, and 6-10 Yacine Toumi made a late commitment. Norfolk State transfer Jalen Myers also was added, but he left the team in December.
Along the way, the ’Bows held an alumni game, brought in Patty Mills as general manager, retired Anthony “AC” Carter’s jersey, and won the Big West Tournament.
Once a new agreement with Ganot is reached, the ’Bows are prepared to launch a recruiting drive that will complement the returners and compete in the Mountain West. The ’Bows’ last day in the Big West is June 30. New Mexico and Grand Canyon are reported to have the Mountain West’s biggest bankrolls for the 2026-27 season. But those are concerns for another day. For now, UH fans should enjoy the good times, live in the moment. They might not be here forever.
Continue reading...
Forty-six years later, the Rainbows still are waiting for a CWS sequel.
In 2013, Rosenblatt Stadium was demolished, with the site now owned by Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
The NCAA and CWS of Omaha Inc. had planned to celebrate the 1980 Rainbows’ 40th anniversary at the 2020 CWS. But those plans were canceled because of the pandemic. Maybe a Golden Anniversary in 2030 is the next option?
On Christmas Eve in 2019, a crowd of 19,539 saw junior Cole McDonald throw the decisive touchdown pass to Nick Mardner in the UH football team’s 38-34 victory over BYU in the Hawaii Bowl.
It would be McDonald’s last game in a Rainbow Warrior uniform. The next month, McDonald applied for the NFL Draft.
It also would be the final time fans attended an event in Aloha Stadium. The pandemic prohibited spectators in 2020. Citing safety concerns in December 2020, officials essentially shuttered Aloha Stadium for good. A new Halawa facility is expected to be ready in 2029, maybe, probably, a skosh later.
During an Aloha Basketball Classic practice at the Blaisdell Arena in 1986, Marty Blake, the self-styled NBA director of personnel, walked around with a tape measure and a tall story. Blake marveled about a raw forward from Southeastern Oklahoma State who could barely make a layup as a 5-foot-10 high school senior. But while working as a janitor, the player had a growth spurt, to 6-7, and decided to give college basketball a shot, where he excelled as a rebounder and post defender. And that’s how Blake gave himself credit for discovering Dennis Rodman.
Back in the day before combines and one-and-done players, college basketball seniors participated in the Aloha Basketball Classic. The alumni included AC Green, Charles Oakley, Chris Mullin, Reggie Miller, Mychal Thompson, Vinnie Johnson, Scott Skiles, Ron Harper and John Salley. In 1987, Blake raved about a wing from Central Arkansas — Scottie Pippen.
But the four-team, three-day event ended in 1987 after a decade-long run in Honolulu.
And that’s the thing about sports — and life. There’s an expiration date, whether printed or not. Former UH volleyball coach Mike Wilton used to tell reporters that quotes should have the shelf life of poke. Wait too long, and it’s time to get new quotes, because context matters.
Or as character Andy Bernard said in “The Office” finale: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good ol’ days before you’ve actually left them.”
Right now, these are the glory days for most UH sports fans.
The men’s volleyball team has settled scores with rivals BYU and Long Beach State. The baseball team has one of the best 1-2 starting pitchers with Isaiah Magdaleno and Hekili Robello. The football team is on a roll. And the men’s basketball team played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
These are not hastily assembled accomplishments. It took specific recruiting and scholarship-money management for volleyball coach Charlie Wade to put together a complementary rotation revolving around a setter who can quick-set to the six squares of the court, block and serve opponents out of system.
Baseball coach Rich Hill had the patience to develop Magdaleno from a closer into a Friday night starter and wait for Robello to complete a redshirt year. Hill and pitching coach Keith Zuniga also used the transfer portal to stockpile quality middle- to late-inning relievers.
Football coach Timmy Chang and offensive coordinator Anthony Arceneaux crafted a four-wide attack that is based in the run-and-shoot but has elements of controlled passing and run-pass options. The recruiting department searched the portal for talent. Associate head coach Chris Brown developed the pipeline with Bishop Gorman High, a national football power from Summerlin, Nev., and worked with untapped donors to compensate players. Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman also implemented an easy-to-learn, hard-to-defend scheme that eased the way for recruits.
The men’s basketball team’s success was not a creation of urgency, despite Eran Ganot’s contract being set to expire April 30. The planning began two years ago when six key seniors were set to depart at end of the 2023-24 season. With a grasp of the college landscape, the coaching staff sought an older roster, even if it meant one-and-done players. That meant recruiting ties and a bankroll.
The ’Bows failed to qualify for the 2025 Big West Tournament. But with help from a group of donors, Ganot was able to secure significant pledges ahead of the opening of the transfer portal.
A key was assistant coach Gibson Johnson’s ties that helped sign transfers 6-7 point guard Tanner Cuff (Evansville), 7-foot Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson and combo guard Hunter Erickson. Associate head coach Brad Davidson’s contact at South Dakota helped earn a commitment from Quandre “Dre” Bullock. Defensive coordinator Rob Jones signed Isaiah Kerr from Chico State. Johnson then signed Isaac Finlinson, the 2025 junior college player of the year; post Gytis Nemeiksa was granted a bonus season, and 6-10 Yacine Toumi made a late commitment. Norfolk State transfer Jalen Myers also was added, but he left the team in December.
Along the way, the ’Bows held an alumni game, brought in Patty Mills as general manager, retired Anthony “AC” Carter’s jersey, and won the Big West Tournament.
Once a new agreement with Ganot is reached, the ’Bows are prepared to launch a recruiting drive that will complement the returners and compete in the Mountain West. The ’Bows’ last day in the Big West is June 30. New Mexico and Grand Canyon are reported to have the Mountain West’s biggest bankrolls for the 2026-27 season. But those are concerns for another day. For now, UH fans should enjoy the good times, live in the moment. They might not be here forever.
Continue reading...
