Jamie Smith, a former University of Hawai’i Director of Basketball Operations, will be presented with a 2016 Big West Conference championship ring at halftime of Saturday’s game versus Cal State Fullerton in SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The Warriors’ league opener, scheduled for 7 p.m., is being promoted as a “New Year’s Eve Party” and fans are encouraged to bring ti leaves for waving at the game, in honor of Smith and his creative “theme nights” during his time at UH (2012-16). In Smith’s last season here, the Warriors won a school-record 28 games, captured the Big West title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
He is currently in Hawai’i on an extended layover on his way to New Zealand for a series of coaching clinics. This is Smith’s first return to the Islands since the end of the 2015-16 season. He has been coaching at various levels in the United Kingdom since then, and was most recently the head coach at Oxford University.
During his time at UH, Smith led a spirited campaign to improve attendance and the fan experience at men’s basketball games. His Party Theme Nights were a big hit with fans of all ages. Some of the memorable themes were Star Wars, Minions and Superheroes.