Na Koa tries to raise more than $1.65 mil for the Warriors

HA Note: "Saying the University of Hawai'i football team is "at an economic crossroads" to remaining competitive in a tough economy, its head coach and booster club are asking fans to help raise more than $1.65 million in aid for the centennial season this fall. "Over 20,000 Warrior football fans and contributors," were asked to pitch in, according to the letter sent out and signed by coach Greg McMackin and Na Koa president Rick Blangiardi. Na Koa has approximately 650 regular members and currently contributes about $650,000 to the operation of the football program, officials said."

About their goal to raise $1.65 mil, the letter said:
"our intention is to create a grass roots campaign that will expand our membership in Na Koa while creating a combined giving to meet the many current and unbudgeted financial needs of our Warrior football program." (HA)

About the need for additional funding, the letter said:
"with continued success (comes) increased demands and expectations for excellence. Historically, our efforts to date have helped provide a fairly solid foundation for the football program. The challenge, however, of remaining competitive in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) has brought us to an economic crossroads at a time when we are experiencing an island economy we have not seen in years." (HA)

HA Note: "Na Koa has helped underwrite the costs of players attending summer school, buying communication head sets, video equipment and other needs for the team, Blangiardi said."