Hoops in Hawaii Classics History:
The inaugural Hoops in Hawaii Classic was held in 2015 with 5 Men’s teams participating and setting the initial foundation.
2015 Field |
Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HI) |
Western Washington University (WA) |
UC- San Marcos (CA) |
Freed-Hardeman University (TN) |
Grace Bible College (MI) |
The 2016 Classics took it a step further with a four team Men’s Thanksgiving Classic and a
six team NCAA D3 Women’s Holiday Classic.
Men | Women (NCAA D3) |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI) | Whitman College (WA) |
Brigham Young Univ Hawaii (HI) | North Central College (IL) |
Carleton College (MN) | Wisconsin Lutheran College (WI) |
West Coast Baptist College (CA) | Chapman University (CA) |
| Redlands University (CA) |
| Occidental College (CA) |
2017 became a banner year for the Hoops in Hawaii Classics. We had 16 Men’s teams between
the two events. We moved the Holiday Classic to a great facility, the Hawaii Convention Center, and was the first NCAA event to ever play there. Additionally, we signed with Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra as our first Title Sponsor.
Men (NCAA DII) | Men (NCAA D3) |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI) | Whitworth College (WA) |
Western Washington University (WA) | Messiah College (PA) |
CSU-Dominguez Hills (CA) | Arcadia University (PA) |
Adams St University (CO) | Lewis & Clark College (OR) |
Harding University (AR) | UC Santa Cruz (CA) |
University of Tampa (FL) | Principia College (IL) |
MSU-Billings (MT) | North Central College (IL) |
University of Hawaii at Hilo (HI) | Pacific University (OR) |
2018 we introduced our very first bracket format with eight NCAA DII Men’s teams. We also featured our very first Title Sponsor, Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra. Chaminade Univ emerged as the Champion and six of the eight teams went on to qualify for the National Tournament.
2018 Field |
|
UC San Diego (CA) NCAA Tourney 2nd rd. | Emmanuel College (GA) NCAA Tourney |
Southern Nazarene Univ (OK) NCAA Tourney 2nd rd. | Chaminade University (HI) NCAA Tourney |
Western Oregon University (OR) NCAA Tourney | Western Washington University (WA) |
Dallas Baptist University (TX) NCAA Tourney | Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HI) |
2019 we opted to go back to pre-determined opponents to avoid any possible intra-conference
matchups. The field was great, matchups intriguing and games outstanding. Included were three
eventual National Tournament qualifiers (cancelled due to Covid).
MEN | |
Colorado Mines (CO) | Simon Fraser (BC) |
Arkansas Monticello (AR) | Saint Martin’s (WA) |
Southeastern Oklahoma State (OK) | Hawaii Pacific (HI) |
Alaska Anchorage (AK) | Hawaii at Hilo (HI) |
2020 Cancelled due to Covid-19
2021 included a small event for both a Men’s and Women’s field while navigating through the pandemic.
Men | Women |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ (FL) | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) |
West Virginia St. Univ (WV) | Cedarville University (OH) |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI) | Northwest Indian College (WA) |
*Xavier University Louisiana (LA) | *Xavier University Louisiana (LA) |
*Both XULA teams had to cancel two days prior to trip due to Covid health and safety protocols within their respective programs.
2022 we signed with Outrigger Hotels Hawaii as our new Title Sponsor. A bigger name with more avenues to support our growth. In 2022 we welcomed 21 teams!
Hoops in Hawaiʻi Thanksgiving Classic
Men |
CSU San Bernardino (CA) |
University of Central Oklahoma (OK) |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO) |
Bacone University (OK) |
Chaminade University (HI) |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI) |
Lincoln University (CA) |
Hoops in Hawaiʻi HOLIDAY Classic
Men | Women |
University of Texas Permian Basin (TX) | University of Providence Great Falls (MT) |
St. Edward’s University (TX) | Menlo College (CA) |
Western Washington University (WA) | Western Washington University (WA) |
Saint Martin’s University (WA) | College of the Ozarks (MO) |
Simon Fraser University (BC) | Hawaii Pacific University (HI) |
Emmanuel College (GA) | Chaminade University (HI) |
Oglethorpe University (GA) |
|
Principia College (IL) |
|
Gallaudet University (DC) |
|
Chaminade University (HI) |
|
Hawaii Pacific University (HI) |
|
2023 went great with another HUGE year, hosting 20 teams from across the nation.
Hoops in Hawaiʻi Thanksgiving Classic
Women |
Chaminade University (HI); DII |
CSU Stanislaus (CA); DII |
Eastern Oregon University (OR); NAIA |
Montana St. University Northern (MT); NAIA |
Northwestern Oklahoma St. University (OK); DII |
Hoops in Hawaiʻi HOLIDAY Classic
Men | Women |
Chaminade University (HI); DII | Carroll College (CA); NAIA |
CSU San Bernardino (CA); DII | Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII |
Dubuque University (IA); D3 | Indiana Institute of Technology (IN); NAIA |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII | University of Jamestown (ND); NAIA |
Knox College (IL); D3 | University of Providence Great Falls (MT); NAIA |
Lewis & Clark College (OR); D3 |
|
Lincoln University (CA); Independent |
|
University of Texas at Tyler (TX); DII |
|
University of Alaska Anchorage (AK); DII |
|
Whitworth University (WA); D3 |
|
2024, best year yet as our numbers keep growing, this time with 23 teams competing.
Hoops in Hawaiʻi Classic (NOVEMBER)
Men | Women |
Adelphi University (NY); DII | Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII |
Chaminade University (HI); DII | Minnesota State University Moorhead (MN); DII |
Grace Christian University (MI); NCCAA | University of Central Missouri (MO); DII |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII | University of Colorado- Colorado Springs (CO); DII |
University of Hawaii at Hilo (HI); DII |
Hoops in Hawaiʻi Classic (DECEMBER)
Men | Women |
Colorado State University Pueblo (CO); DII | Benedictine College (KS); NAIA |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII | Centre College (KY); D3 |
Johnson & Wales University (RI); D3 | College of Saint Mary (NE); NAIA |
The College of Wooster (OH); D3 | Daemen University (NY); DII |
University of Alaska Anchorage (AK); DII | Hastings College (NE), NAIA |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII | |
Indiana Wesleyan University (IN), NAIA | |
Occidental College (CA), D3 | |
University of Alaska Anchorage (AK); DII | |
University of Puget Sound (WA), D3 | |
Willamette University (OR); D3 |
2025: Another big year with just a December event alone.
Hoops in Hawaiʻi Classic (DECEMBER)
Men | Women |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII | Albion College (MI); D3 |
University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK); DII | Campbellsville University (KY); NAIA |
West Virginia State Univ (WV); DII | Colorado School of Mines (CO); DII |
Concordia University Nebraska (NE); NAIA | |
Dakota Wesleyan University (SD); NAIA | |
Ferris State University (MI); DII | |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI); DII | |
Knox College (IL); D3 | |
Linfield University (OR); D3 | |
McMurry University (TX); D3 | |
St. Norbert College (WI); D3 | |
University of Alaska Anchorage (AK); DII | |
University of Providence (MT); NAIA | |
Whitworth University (WA); D3 |
2026: Huge year as the Hoops in Hawaii Classic was granted a waiver to host D2CCA Tip-Off Event. This will take place 10/30/26-11/1/26 with an eight-team Men’s and eight-team Women’s Fields each playing in a traditional bracket format with a true champion.
Additionally we will host the usual Dec event (12/18-12/22) with Men/Women DII, DIII, NAIA, NCCAA and USCAA.
Hoops in Hawaiʻi Tip-Off Classic (October)
NCAA DII Men | NCAA DII Women |
Adelphi University (NY) | Chaminade University (HI) |
Chaminade University (HI) | Colorado Mesa University (CO) |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI) | Hawaii Pacific University (HI) |
Lake Erie College (OH) | Lubbock Christian University (TX) |
Minot State University (ND) | St. Mary's University (TX) |
Saint Edwards University (TX) | University of Alaska Anchorage (AK) |
University of Tampa (FL) | Western Colorado University (CO) |
Winona State University (MN) | Winona State University (MN) |
Hoops in Hawaiʻi Classic (December)
NCAA DII Women | NCAA D3 Women |
Fairmont State University (WV) | Emmanuel College (MA) |
Harding University (AR) | Emerson College (MA) |
Hawaii Pacific University (HI) | Lake Forest College (IL) |
Montana State University Billings (MT) | Whitman College (WA) |
Texas Woman's University (TX) | |
University of Jamestown (ND) | |
Chaminade University (HI) | |
University of Texas at Tyler (TX) |