For their contributions on the volleyball court, the pitching mound and the classroom, Kanani Danielson and Matt Sisto were named recipients of the 2012 Jack Bonham Award Tuesday at the University of Hawaii’s annual scholar-athlete dinner.
The award is named after the late UH assistant athletic director. It is considered the most prestigious in Rainbows and Warriors athletics. It is given to the top male and female senior student-athlete who “best exemplifies the ideals for which Jack Bonham stood for in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character.”
Danielson was a three-time AVCA first-team All-American and Western Athletic Conference player of the year. She is also a member of the WAC All-Decade Team and fifth in career kills and digs. Danielson guided the Rainbow Wahine to three NCAA regionals and the 2009 final four.
Danielson’s cumulative grade-point average is 3.5 and she was a three-time academic All-WAC selection. The interdisciplinary studies major will earn her bachelor’s degree at spring commencement. In addition, Danielson has been an active member of the community, participating in the Manoa Makeover project and the Kahana Bay cleanup, and volunteering to speak at Habilitat drug rehabilitation center and at elementary and middle schools.
“Kanani Danielson truly exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete,” said Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji. “It has been her desire to excel as both an athlete and a person that has made her so successful. As a team captain her junior and senior seasons, she was a tremendous leader both on and off the court and her positive influence on her teammates was invaluable. Our recent team success was in large part due to her and she will be missed.”
Sisto has been a four-year starter and the team’s No. 1 pitcher for the past two seasons. Hawaii qualified for postseason each of his previous three years, and last year won the WAC regular-season title for the first time in 18 years. In 2010, Sisto helped the Rainbows to a WAC tournament title and into the NCAA Tempe Regional championship game. Sisto has won every postseason start of his career, and this season surpassed legendary UH pitcher Derek Tatsuno for fifth all-time in career starts.
Sisto has a 3.28 cumulative GPA and is majoring in finance in the College of Business. He was also a 2011 WAC All-Academic team selection.
“I can think of no better ambassador to Rainbow baseball than Matt Sisto,” said baseball coach Mike Trapasso. “He is the consummate professional, behaving at all times with character and integrity. Matt is a tremendous representative of his team and the University of Hawaii and will be very successful in whatever field he chooses.”
