Hawaii

Playing Football In Hawaii

Football isn't one of the first things that spring to mind when you hear a mention of Hawaii. But Hawaii is home to an exciting and vibrant football team, the Hawaii Warriors.

People around the world who follow football in its various incarnations (which include football, and Rugby football and all its variants) know that players who originate from Pacific Island nations like Hawaii make great footballers. The genetics of Pacific Islanders gives them an astounding combination of power, speed, agility and muscle. With these types of athletes to choose from, plus the best of those coming into Hawaii from overseas, it is no wonder that football in Hawaii has had its share of success.

The Hawaii Warriors are the official football team of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This Hawaiian football team plays the NCAA Division 1-A college football and the Hawaii Warriors football team is part of the Western Athletic Conference.

The Hawaii Warriors were originally called the Rainbows. This was because in one of the football team's early games (in 1923) where the team played against Oregon State and upset them seven-nil, a rainbow appeared over the playing field as if to celebrate the win. Under the name of Rainbows, this football team from Hawaii performed what is considered to be the biggest upset in school football history: they beat the Washington Huskies at Seattle 10-7 after the Huskies were picked to win by over 50 points.

The name of the Hawaiian football team changed to the Rainbow Warriors in 1974, the year Hawaii made it into Division 1 (it is uncertain whether the new name had anything to do with the flagship of the environmental group Greenpeace, which is called the Rainbow Warrior and undertakes operation in the Pacific). The next year saw the construction of Hawaii's Aloha Stadium football arena. The name "Rainbow Warriors" was clipped to "Warriors" in 2001.

One of the highlights for the Hawaii (Rainbow) Warriors football team was when defensive end Al Noga was named as the team's first All-American by the Associated Press.

The colours of the Hawaii Warriors football team is black and dark green. The home helmet is green, and the away helmet is white with a green logo.

The 2007 season looks to be a very promising one for football in Hawaii. The Hawaii Warriors have been picked by a recent poll to win the WAC football championship. Furthermore, star quarterback Colt Brennan has been named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. This is not surprising, considering that Brennan made the most touchdowns and had the highest pass efficiency rating in 2006. Brennan is truly an asset for football in Hawaii and is greatly valued by June Jones, the coach of the Hawaii Warriors football team.