Hoops in Hawaii Classic    |     2023 Event Info    2024 Event Info    About Hoops in Hawaii    Booster travel    Coaches comments    Media    Contact us

ABOUT HOOPS IN HAWAII


College Tournaments Hawaii LLC. was formed in 2015 and has successfully grown the Hoops in Hawaii Classic events to be one of the premiere destination events for small college basketball.

In conjunction with Sports Travel Hawaii LLC (Travel Sponsor), Outrigger Resorts and Hotels (Title Sponsor), Hawaii Pacific University (Sponsoring School and Venue), The Gellert Company (Diamond Sponsor) and our plethora of supporting sponsors, we strive to create the ultimate trip for your team both on and off the court.

In 2018 we introduced an eight-team elite DII Men's field, of which six teams went on to qualify for the NCAA National Tournament. The 2019 field was just as competitive with tournament bound teams. After having to take 2020 off due to Covid, we bounced back in 2021 with both men and women's teams coming despite the continuing pandemic. 2022 brought a resurgence of travel with 21 different teams that came to participate. 2023 is no different as 20 teams are making their way to the islands to compete.

In 2022 we were thrilled to begin our partnership with the prestigious Outrigger Resorts and Hotels taking over as our Title Sponsor. Outrigger's vast global reach, experience, and support in sponsoring athletic events in Hawaii, as well as their multiple property options in Waikiki makes for a perfect partnership with the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.


Package

• Accommodations include a 5-night stay, as well as Tournament Gift and assistance with setting up any discounted team meals and activities with our sponsoring establishments. Daily breakfast and Head Coach room upgrade will be included for teams committing early.

• Flights can be made through our partnering travel agency, Sports Travel Hawaii. They put it up for bid with all the major airlines and will go through a negotiating period on behalf of your team to ensure the best possible group rate. The process can take 3-5 business days. You may opt to do your own flight arrangements through your respective institution policies.

Fundraising

Beginning with our 2024 teams, we've partnered with an online fundraising campaign platform, DoJiggy, that will directly work with teams on fundraising for this event if theyʻd like to use this fundraising avenue.

https://www.dojiggy.com/blog/college-tournaments-hawaii-partner-program/


Other Requirements

• Travel party (Coaches/Players/Admin/Athletic Trainer) will be required to use Sports Travel Hawaii, LLC. for at least our tournament package. They are an established full-service travel agency run with extensive local knowledge. They have preferred rates with major airlines and will also book and plan ground transportation and utilize contacts with businesses to offer activities (Luau, Pearl Harbor, Shows, Theme Parks, water activities, etc.) of your choosing for your team. A one-stop shop, no headaches or wasted hours of trip prep time on your end. They, along with College Tournaments Hawaii LLC, will take care of it all so that you can concentrate on just Coaching.

• Boosters are highly encouraged to use Sports Travel Hawaii. They will get the same great rates and convenience of traveling and staying with the team as well as experiencing the many activities on O'ahu with them too. Admission to all games as well as a Tournament Gift will be included for any Boosters booking through our services.

 



CLASSIC HISTORY


The inaugural Hoops in Hawaii Classic was held in 2015 with Hawaii Pacific University (NCAA DII), Western Washington University (NCAA DII), Freed-Hardeman University (NAIA), CSU-San Marcos (NCAA DII) and Grace Bible College (NCCAA) having participated and setting the initial foundation.

The 2016 Classics took it a step further with a four team Men's Thanksgiving Classic (Carleton College, #19 Hawaii Pacific, Brigham Young University Hawaii, and West Coast Baptist College) and the 6 team DIII Women's Holiday Classic (#16 Whitman College, North Central College, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Chapman University, Redlands University and Occidental College).

2017 became a banner year for the Hoops in Hawaii Classics. We had 16 Men's teams between the two events. We moved the Holiday Classic to an amazing facility, the Hawaii Convention Center, and was the first NCAA event to ever play there.

NCAA DII

Hawaii Pacific University
Western Washington
CSU-Dominguez Hills
Adams St University
Harding University
University of Tampa
MSU-Billings
University of Hawaii at Hilo

NCAA DIII

Whitworth College
Messiah College
Arcadia University
Lewis & Clark College
UC Santa Cruz
Principia College
North Central College
Pacific University

2018 we introduced our very first bracket format with eight NCAA DII Men's teams. This tournament also featured our very first Title Sponsor, the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra.

UC San Diego (2019 NCAA Tourney 2nd rd)
Southern Nazarene University (2019 NCAA Tourney 2nd rd)
Western Oregon University (2019 NCAA Tourney)
Dallas Baptist University (2019 NCAA Tourney)
Emmanuel College (2019 NCAA Tourney)
Chaminade University (2019 NCAA Tourney)
Western Washington University
Hawai'i Pacific University

2019 we opted to go back to pre-determined opponents to avoid any possible intra-conference matchups. The field was great, matchups intriguing and games outstanding. Included were three eventual National Tournament participants.

Colorado Mines (2020 NCAA Tourney)
Saint Martin's
Southeastern Oklahoma State
Alaska Anchorage
Simon Fraser
Arkansas Monticello
Hawaii Pacific
Hawaii at Hilo

2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19.

2021 included both a Men's and Women's field.

Men
Hawaii Pacific
West Virgina State
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Xavier University Louisiana*

Women
Cedarville
Northwest Indian College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Xavier University Louisiana*

*Both XULA teams had to cancel two days prior to trip due to Covid health and safety protocols within their respective programs.

2022 we signed with Outrigger Hotels Hawaii as our new Title Sponsor. A bigger name with more avenues to support our growth. 2022 will welcomed 21 teams!

Hoops in Hawaiʻi Thanksgiving Classic

Men

CSU San Bernardino (CA)
University of Central Oklahoma (OK)
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)
Bacone University (OK)
Chaminade University (HI)
Hawaii Pacific University (HI)

Hoops in Hawaiʻi HOLIDAY Classic

Men

University of Texas Permian Basin (TX)
St. Edward's University (TX)
Western Washington University (WA)
Saint Martin's University (WA)
Simon Fraser University (BC)
Emmanuel College (GA)
Oglethorpe University (GA)
Principia College (IL)
Gallaudet University (DC)
Chaminade University (HI)
Hawaii Pacific University (HI)

Women

University of Providence Great Falls (MT)
Menlo College (CA)
Western Washington University (WA)
College of the Ozarks (MO)
Hawaii Pacific University (HI)
Chaminade University (HI)

2023 is now set and we're ready to roll another HUGE year with a vast spectrum of 23 teams from across the nation.

Hoops in Hawai'i Thanksgiving Classic

Women

Chaminade University (HI); DII
CSU Stanislaus (CA); DII
Eastern Oregon University (OR); NAIA
Montana St. University Northern (MT); NAIA
Northwestern Oklahoma St. University (OK); DII


Hoops in Hawai'i HOLIDAY Classic

Men

Chaminade University (HI); DII
CSU San Bernardino (CA); DII
Dubuque University (IA); D3
Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII
Knox College (IL); D3
Lewis & Clark College (OR); D3
Lincoln University (CA); Independent
University of Texas at Tyler (TX); DII
University of Alaska Anchorage (AK); DII
Whitworth University (WA); D3

Women

Carroll College (CA); NAIA

Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII
Indiana Institute of Technology (IN); NAIA
University of Jamestown (ND); NAIA
University of Providence Great Falls (MT); NAIA


Video Links

Please see the links below for some highlights, coaches' feedback, as well as some commercial and news segments that ran.

2023 Magic Island Hawaii Classic (Women’s VB)

2022 Hoops in Hawaii Thanksgiving Classic (Men)

2022 Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic (Men)

2022 Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic (Women)

2021 Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JsPIcmBYVk

2019 D2 Power Invitational:
https://youtu.be/F-Ipa1YKzSU

2018 D2 Power Invitational:
https://youtu.be/-RTU9cdqwXM

2017 Holiday Classic Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SySylGMGRY0

2017 Coaches comments from December's Holiday Classic held at the Convention Center:
https://youtu.be/z0g8XIHtvAU

Commercial (ran statewide promoting the 2017 Classic):
https://www.facebook.com/HoopsInHawaiiClassic/videos/998349803637154/

News segment:
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/37051158/hawaiis-first-ncaa-tournament-to-be-held-at-the-hawaii-convention-center

2017 Coaches comments from Thanksgiving Classic held at Moanalua High School:
https://youtu.be/P88aEEoACw8

2016 Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic (Six team D3 Women's) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8B0VrDCOgA


Websites

College Tournaments Hawaii LLC.
https://scoringlive.com/hoopsinhawaii/


Social Media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HoopsInHawaiiClassic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HoopsInHawaii
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopsinhawaiiclassics/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcSqr7JT8LotVpsHipJ8RQw


Contacts

Julian Nakanishi, Tournament Director, College Tournaments
Hawaii LLC Owner
(808)224-9915
[email protected]



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