HONOLULU (KHON2) — From star athlete to coach to playing on the U.S. national team in between, Robyn Ah Mow has become the epitome of what a University of Hawaii athlete strives to become. For her, UH is everything.
“I was born and raised here. I grew up watching UH Athletics. A lot of volleyball Klum Gym every weekend,” Robyn explained.
“I have aunties that played so doing a full circle watching, growing up watching and then actually coming here to play. Now did I ever know that I was ever gonna do this and coach after Dave? Absolutely not.”
Robyn took over for the legendary Dave Shoji, the man who helped chart her path to success. It was something she would not dare dream of, but it’s become a symbol of what can happen when a student athlete signs up to be a Rainbow Warrior or Wahine.
“If I didn’t come to UH, would I be on the National team? Would professional have a chance to play overseas become a professional? Would I have a silver metal? I don’t know but definitely because of UH Athletics, being a part of the volleyball team, it definitely open doors.”
But now, getting athletes to walk though those doors has become increasingly more difficult with NIL and other benefits supporting student-athletes, coaches have to rerecruit their own players every year.
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“This whole thing is a headache for me, but I get it. We’re never gonna get the chance because they want the scholarship plus they want something else and we still praise. Are you coming here? This is what you coming here for. To represent the H and represent what UH Athletics is about.”
But even though the University of Hawaii cannot give what other schools can, what students do get is also far beyond anything any other school can ever offer, especially when it comes to senior night.
“It’s amazing. There’s the leis, the family comes, the crowd stays. If not for them, where would this be?” Robyn continued.
“Hats off to all the families, the continued fans who come support and the new ones who are finding out what UH Athletics is about. The fans make the university cause if it wasn’t for the fans you know who would come out here and support. This is almost like this is our pro league. You know UH Athletics here in Hawaii because we have none here, but the fans make it special.”
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KHON2 invites everyone to support Hawaii’s student athletes as we join the university for “Hawaii’s Team Drive,” a telethon and fundraiser.
The event is coming up on Tuesday, Sept. 9, during our newscasts. Stay with us for all the details on how you can help the home team.