Month-long Vulcan Challenge athletic support for UH Hilo athletes
UH-Hilo Women's Soccer Star Shines in Vulcan Challenge Fundraiser
The University of Hawaii-Hilo's premier athletic program, the Vulcans, are currently in the midst of their annual fundraiser, the Vulcan Challenge, which began on Tuesday and runs until October 16th. This event is crucial for the university, as it aims to provide funding for scholarships, travel, training resources, and other essential needs for student-athletes.
One of the key figures in this year's Vulcan Challenge is Lydia Keller, a redshirt sophomore goalkeeper for the women's soccer team. Keller, who hails from Idaho Falls, Idaho, started her collegiate journey at Idaho State before joining the Vulcans this season.
Last week, Keller logged an impressive 16 saves across three games, going 0-1-2 with two shutouts. Her standout performance earned her the PacWest Conference Defender of the Week for September 8-14. In her first game of the week, she had five saves vs. eight shots, resulting in a shutout against CSU Monterey Bay. This was followed by seven saves vs. 15 shots in her second game, again resulting in a shutout against Stanislaus State. In her third game, Keller had four saves vs. 12 shots against No. 25 Westminster.
The university is asking for support to keep its athletic program going, and the Vulcan Challenge 2025 is supported by the community through donations facilitated in partnership with the UH Foundation. KTA Super Stores and the Taniguchi 'ohana will match the first $25,000 of gifts, and Charlie and Barbara Umamoto will donate $5,000. The Vulcan Booster Club will also match $13,000.
The importance of the Vulcan Challenge is not just limited to the athletic achievements of the student-athletes. In the 2024-25 school year, Vulcan student-athletes posted a record-breaking 3.32 cumulative GPA, the highest in UH-Hilo history. This underscores the impact that community support has on both the academic and athletic success of the student-athletes.
Imani Lee, the President of the UH-Hilo Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, also emphasized the importance of the fundraiser. She noted that any support will make an immediate impact within the school community and help student-athletes compete at their best, travel, and earn an education. Athletic director Patrick Guillen shared similar sentiments, stating that student-athletes' milestones cannot be reached without community support.
Eight teams qualified for the PacWest postseason, led by the men's golf team's third consecutive conference title. With the Vulcan Challenge, the university hopes to continue this success and provide opportunities for more student-athletes to excel both on and off the field.
As the Vulcan Challenge continues, the university encourages everyone to support its premier athletic program and help its student-athletes reach their full potential. For more information or to make a donation, visit the UH Foundation's website.
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