Local Sports

Rainbow Warriors, Michigan State to host charity exhibitions to benefit Maui fire relief

The Maui News and The Associated Press

The University of Hawaii and Michigan State University men's basketball teams each announced Wednesday they will host charity exhibition games that will benefit Maui wildfire relief efforts.

The Rainbow Warriors will play Saint Mary's College on Oct. 20 at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.

"It's hard to put into words how we are all feeling for Maui and its tremendous community," UH head coach Eran Ganot said in a news release Wednesday announcing the charity game. "The devastation of the nation's worst wildfire in more than 100 years has hit us all, near and far.

"Beyond our immediate thoughts and prayers, it has left us searching for ways we can help," Ganot continued. "We are pleased to announce this exhibition game as a way to support our friends and families on Maui. I want to thank Saint Mary's College, Head Coach Randy Bennett, everyone here at the University of Hawai'i, and all those involved as we come together for a vital cause. It's been inspiring to see the full power of Hawai'i and our people during this tragedy. We encourage all to continue to find ways to support."

The game will be a reunion for Ganot and Bennett, who gave the Rainbow Warriors coach his first collegiate coaching job 20 years ago as a volunteer assistant at Saint Mary's. Ganot went on to serve as Bennett's associate head coach with the Gaels before he eventually took the helm at UH in 2015.

This will be the first time ever the two coaches will square off against each other.

"It's always an excellent opportunity to take on a quality opponent like the University of Hawai'i in exhibition play, but this adds an extra bonus for our team to help those in need," Bennett said. "The wildfires in Maui are a great tragedy and we are grateful for the opportunity to help those in need through this game."

More details regarding the charity exhibition, including ticket information, will be provided in the near future, UH said.

Also on Wednesday, basketball powerhouses and regular Maui Jim Maui Invitational participants Michigan State and Tennessee announced they will also be holding a charity exhibition to benefit Maui, Oct. 29 at the Spartans' Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. All proceeds from the game will be given to the Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund.

Michigan State has played in the Maui Invitational five times, and is scheduled to return to the Lahaina Civic Center in 2024.

"The Maui Invitational and the city of Lahaina have always held a special place in my heart," Michigan State Tom Izzo said. "The images we've all seen and the stories we've heard following the wildfires have touched so many of us in the college basketball world and I know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been affected."

Tennessee hosted Michigan State in a scrimmage last year and the programs previously planned to face off again this year. Recently, both coaches agreed to allow the public to watch them play in a charity game.

"While we certainly need to continue to pray for the families in Maui who have been impacted, this benefit game will enable us to offer tangible support toward the restoration of Maui and its beautiful spirit," Vols coach Rick Barnes said.

Similarly, the Kansas and Illinois men's basketball teams announced earlier this month they will turn their previously planned scrimmage into a televised exhibition that will raise funds for the Maui Strong Fund. That game is also set for Oct. 29, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. It will be televised on the Big Ten Network.