A PLEA TO SAVE BYU-HAWAII ATHLETICS

Since its inception, the BYU-Hawaii Athletics Program has represented the special mission and purpose of Brigham Young University Hawaii. Generations of student-athletes have left an incredible worldwide mark of leadership and spiritual influence. The BYU-Hawaii athletic program has been an ambassador for the University and a shining example in Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, and the world. We need your help to save the BYUH athletic program and ensure it continues to support the special mission of our school.
 

GENERATIONS OF LEADERS, BUILDERS, AND AMBASSADORS

After 58 years of generating leaders and cultivating valuable relationships for BYU-Hawaii and the LDS Church, the athletic program is slated to be closed. In spite of its small size, the BYUH athletic program has developed world-class athletes and made our school a prestigious destination for potential students in China, Korea, and the entire Pacific Rim. The program has created a legacy of excellence, leadership, and sportsmanship that has impacted the players, the community, and the world.

Former Seasiders have gone on to join professional sports leagues throughout the world. Famous Seasiders include Yuta Tabuse, who played for the Phoenix Suns and the Japanese National Basketball Team, Coach Barry Hardy of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, Lucas Alves, who played on the Brazilian National Basketball Team, and Jet Chang, a Taiwanese professional basketball player.

Seasider coaches Ken Wagner, David Porter, Wilfred Navalta, and Norman Kaluhiokalani, are legends in their field and are known throughout the world for their impressive records and programs. Their efforts as ambassadors for the University have created positive relationships and opened doors and opportunities with universities in countries like China, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Brazil.  

A BUSINESS DECISION AND NOT DIVINE REVELATION

In March 2014, the University announced plans to phase out the athletic program. Citing budget constraints, the administration stated that, "[t]he money being spent on athletics programs will be used to provide educational opportunities for the increasing number of students from around the world who can be served by the university."

Former BYUH president Steven Wheelwright presented a plan to the Board of Trustees, comprised of members of the leadership of the church, to defund the athletic program in favor of increased admissions. The Board of Trustees made it very clear that the decision to phase out Seasider athletics was simply an approval of Wheelwright’s plan, and was not mandated by the board. When asked by a student if the decision to phase out the Seasiders was a revelation from the Prophet Thomas S. Monson, Wheelright walked out of the information session.  

While the administration claimed that the decision came after “much discussion, more than ten years of analysis, and consideration of several options,” the faculty, staff, students, and community felt that they were left out of the discussion.

 
IT WAS NEVER ABOUT THE MONEY

Once more, the budget constraints that the administration cited in its plan were misleading. Before the announcement was made to phase out Seasider athletics, the athletic department started a booster club to help fund their activities, and planned to start an online store to sell merchandise.  The administration stepped in and stopped the department from fundraising.  Shortly after the announcement was made, a private donor offered to cover the program’s roughly $1.3 million yearly budget, and other donors stepped forward in an effort to save the athletic program. There are ways to keep the program alive. 

The BYU-Hawaii Athletic Department runs on a remarkably small budget. When BYU-Hawaii Athletics was preparing to join the NCAA, a team of coaches and administrators were brought in from BYU-Provo to assess the Seasiders and prepare them entry to the NCAA.  They were amazed at the efficiency and lean budget that the BYUH program operated on.  In 2008, Wheelwright brought in a former sports administrator from BYU-Idaho to evaluate if it was feasible to keep the athletic department running. The consultant reported that all 11 Seasider teams combined were operating on a budget that a few teams in BYU-Provo could operate on, and did not recommend that they be phased out.

One reason cited for the phase-out was the high costs of travel for BYUH teams to compete in the mainland and abroad. A few of the BYU-Hawaii teams frequently travel to Asia to play in tournaments and participate in workshops, but the University does not pay for these trips. Universities, leagues, and governments from the hosting countries like China and Korea, that are eager to play against our athletes, cover these costs.  

Today, former players, alumni, and private donors are still ready to help the athletics program.  
 

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE

In about two years, 180 students athletes will no longer be able to compete, will lose their scholarships, and ultimately be forced to transfer if they want the opportunity to compete collegiately in their respective sport.  An 18 member athletic staff will lose their jobs, impacting their families and the community.  The campus and community will no longer enjoy basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer and other games on campus.  The Seasider snackbar will no longer provide part time employment for students. Students majoring in Exercise Science will lose the opportunity to enhance their education by working with individual athletes and teams. Tournaments will end, teams will stop coming to the campus and the role that BYUH athletics has played in supporting the mission of our school will disappear.  

At the end of the day, it is all about the people.  The end of the athletic program at BYU-Hawaii will mean an end to the positive connection that BYU-Hawaii has with many other Asian and Pacific universities. Future BYU-Hawaii students will lose the opportunity to build character, leadership, and discipline that comes from playing sports on a collegiate level. BYU-Hawaii was never intended to be a tuition-generating machine. It was intended to create men and women of character who blessed the world with their example, and the athletic program is an integral piece in accomplishing that mission.
 

A PLEA TO PRESIDENT JOHN S. TANNER & THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  SAVE THE SEASIDERS

On behalf of a community of Seasiders fans, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the local community, we plead that President Tanner:

1. Create a committee to revisit the decision. 

2. Look into creating a booster club, online sales of memorabilia, and create a position to get more funding.

3. Bring back Rugby and boost enrollment, sponsorship, and scholarship from Pacific and Asian Countries.  

4. Incorporate sponsors.

A CALL OF ACTION TO THE SEASIDER NATION AROUND THE WORLD

We call on all Seasider faithful, from the days of Church College of Hawaii to all BYU-Hawaii Alumni, current students, past and present athletes, our local community, and to all those that love and respect BYU-Hawaii sports to sign this plea to Save the Seasiders.

Mahalo nui loa!!!

#SAVEBYUHAthletics