The celebrations continued for the University of Hawai‘i sports teams and their fans for this week.
Wednesday started off the “Celebration of Champions” week in Honolulu honoring the members of the Western Athletic Champions football, women’s volleyball and soccer teams.
Following the appointment of former Warrior football defensive coordinator Greg McMackin to the head coaching position on Wednesday, players and fans headed to the state Legislature for a day of festivities. The players were treated to songs, dances and cheers from fans and were also introduced to the Senate where they received a standing ovation.
Tomorrow, a “WAC Champions on Display” presentation will be held in conjunction with the Hawai‘i-Fresno State men’s basketball game at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Members of the football, women’s volleyball and soccer teams will be introduced at halftime and they will be presented with their conference trophies by WAC Commissioner Karl Benson.
Each fan attending the game will receive a free poster commemorating the 2007 football season. The poster, which includes a team photo and the autographs of players and coaches, will be distributed at a table near Gate A prior to the basketball game.
On Sunday with the “Parade of Champions,” Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the City and County of Honolulu will host the parade starting at 4 p.m. in Waikiki to honor all three WAC champion teams as well as the Division I and II high school state championship teams from Leilehua High School and ‘Iolani School, then the intermediate champion football team from Word of Life.
The parade will start at Fort DeRussy at Saratoga Road and Kalakaua Avenue and end at the “Sunset on the Beach” site at Kapahulu and Kalakaua avenues, where there will be food, music and entertainment.
Finally, in her State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Linda Lingle will recognize the three WAC championship teams.
The celebrations will also wrap that day as the players are scheduled to have lunch with Lingle.
• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
