In an unprecedented move, the Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine are making waves as the first Division I program to debut fan-designed jerseys. The striking “sUHrf City” uniforms, inspired by the iconic breaks just minutes from campus, will hit the hardwood at SimpliFi Arena during Beeman’s Bigger Bash against UC Irvine.
Riding the Crest of Creativity
Selected from over 125 global submissions spanning 20 states and 5 countries, the winning “sUHrf City” concept was the brainchild of Isaac Daggett, a University of Wyoming student. A newcomer to the design scene, Daggett’s vision stood out in the Rainbow Wahine’s first-ever fan jersey contest. He humbly reflected:
I’m thrilled to have my jersey design selected and look forward to seeing my dream of creating a real jersey become a reality for the Rainbow Wahine.
Isaac Daggett, “sUHrf City” Jersey Designer
Attendance Aims
Beeman’s Bigger Bash, named for head coach Laura Beeman, has its sights set on smashing the program’s all-time attendance record of 6,192 set back in 1998. Last year’s installment drew an impressive 5,068 fans, the highest turnout in over 20 years under Beeman’s tenure.
Promotion Push
To drive attendance, the Rainbow Wahine are pulling out all the stops with a slew of fan-friendly promotions:
- Free admission for fans 18 and under
- Beeman bobbleheads for the first 1,000 attendees
- “sUHrf City” T-shirt giveaways
- Jersey auction benefiting the team and student-athletes (last year’s raised $20K)
Beeman’s Breakthrough
Since assuming the head coaching role in 2012, Beeman has propelled the program to new heights:
- 4 WNIT appearances (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019)
- 3 NCAA Tournament berths (2016, 2022, 2023)
- Big West regular-season and tournament titles (2015, 2022, 2024)
Designer’s Dream Realized
For Daggett, seeing his design take the court will be a surreal experience. The newly-minted Rainbow Wahine devotee will be in the stands to witness the historic debut, forever etching his name in the annals of college hoops and sports fashion.
Future of Fan Engagement
The Rainbow Wahine’s boundary-breaking fan jersey initiative may just be the start of a new era in collegiate sports, where programs harness the power of their fanbases to drive innovation and build even deeper connections between teams and their loyal supporters.
