UH athletic director rejects plea to change his mind on team names

Despite a plea from the University of Hawaii Letterwinners Club, athletic director Ben Jay said he doesn’t anticipate reversing his decision to change the school’s nicknames.

In February, Jay announced that the school would officially begin calling its men’s teams ‘Warriors" starting July 1, while all the women’s teams will remain the "Rainbow Wahine."

Currently various men’s teams go by "Warriors," "Rainbow Warriors," and "Rainbows." Jay said the change is for branding purposes and to avoid confusion.

The UH Letterwinners Club sent Jay a letter Wednesday, saying, "we request that you hold off changing the nicknames of the University of Hawaii athletic teams."

Jay, who is on the mainland, said today he hasn’t had an opportunity to respond to the letter but, "I don’t foresee any change" in his previously announced plans.

He said the switch will take place July 1, as announced.

Meanwhile, another opponent of the name change, Stephen Chinen, has announced a "Rally 4 Rainbows" Friday at 5 p.m. at Bachman Hall.