LIHUE — Stacy Iwasaki, head coach of the newly formed Kauai Gamebirds football program, is inviting the public to meet the players and coaching staff while having an opportunity to earn some cash at the same time.
The Kauai Football Club is hosting a golf ball drop fundraiser on the same morning the public can meet the Kauai Gamebirds staff at the Vidinha Stadium baseball field, starting at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 27.
“This is a fundraiser to support the players and their passion to compete in the inaugural Hawaii8 football season and represent the island of Kauai,” Iwasaki said. “This is also an opportunity for our community to meet and get to know the players and staff.”
Since its first team meeting several weeks ago, the program has been practicing and working on strength and conditioning each week at the Ulu Ko Park with Iwasaki and his coaching staff.
The Kauai Gamebirds is part of the Hawaii8 athletic conference for Hawaii college students whose purpose is to support and complement the state’s community colleges with a program to enhance academics across the state, engage community and family involvement, and to help the community college campuses increase student enrollment, student retention, and boost graduation rates for participants.
“Hawaii8 is a wonderful opportunity for a student-athlete to pursue their college education and continue in organized and competitive athletics,” said Coach Andrew “Andy” Chun of the Moku O Keawe Football Club on the Big Island. “I believe Hawaii8 will fill a great need in our community. No matter the circumstance, Hawaii students now have an affordable option to pursue their career pathways through our local community colleges, playing football and earning a degree.”
The Maui Football Club is coached by Aylett Wallwork, and the Windward Sports Alliance based on the Windward side of Oahu is coached by Reggie Torres.
To be eligible to participate in the program, players must have at least one active college subject.
Tickets for the golf ball drop are a $10 donation for each ball. The owner of the ball that drops on the designated target, or comes the closest to the mark will be awarded $500. Second place includes a $300 award, and third place is presented with $200.
The collection of golf balls will be dropped by a Jack Harter Helicopters craft over a specially designated target on the Vidinha Stadium baseball field.
For more information on getting involved with the Kauai Gamebird football program, or for the donations for the golf balls, you can contact Iwasaki at 651-0309.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
