The Blue Wahoos during their tenure have arranged promotion giveaways ranging from Hawaiian shirts to a pair of Taylor Swift concert tickets.
This weekend will get grander.
In the team’s second-to-last homestand of 2025, someone will take home a brand new SUV on Friday night, sponsored by Hill Kelly, then another lucky fan on Saturday will receive a diamond in the fourth annual Bere’ Jewelers “Diamond Dig” on the infield at Blue Wahoos Stadium following the game.
This home series against the Chattanooga Lookouts, which began Tuesday, sets up as the team’s biggest back-to-back promo nights and most lucrative gifts in team history.
It coincides with the Blue Wahoos locked into a chase for the Southern League’s South Division second-half title. The team entered Tuesday night’s game a half-game behind the Montgomery Biscuits.
“In one weekend, someone will have a new ride and someone will have new bling. We think that is pretty cool,” said team president Jonathan Griffith.
The new vehicle, a 2025 Jeep Compass Latitude, valued around $27,000 (based on current MSRP), is parked out front of the stadium.
The idea of a car giveaway was formulated as Griffith and several front office members traveled back from the Minor League Baseball Fall Meetings last October. The trip followed a late-season game when the Blue Wahoos gave away two tickets to a pair of fans for the Taylor Swift concert tour Oct. 25-27, 2024 in New Orleans.
A chance to win attracted a large crowd at that Blue Wahoos game, many of whom said they only bought tickets in effort to be part of the drawing for Swift concert seats.
“Taylor Swift was a good day for us last year when we gave away the two tickets,” Griffith said. “And the thought was, ‘What could we do that would motivate you to come to a game?’ Someone said, well if I could win a car, I would come to a game.
“And I thought, well let’s do it. So we went to Hill Kelly (dealershiop) and talked to them about it. They loved the idea of giving away a brand new car.”
The Taylor Swift concert tickets were valued around $6,000. A new car pushes the Blue Wahoos into their most lucrative giveaway item in club history.
“Most of the time in Minor League Baseball, you see commercials for a game promotion of a used car, or a clunker, and that’s fun and all, but how can we be impactful?” Griffith said. “How can we make a memorable experience?
“Well, to me, if somebody left (stadium) in a brand new car, that’s pretty darn memorable for somebody. It’s a pretty cool thing for somebody to say they bought a ticket to a minor league baseball game and walked out with a new car. It’s a big deal. It will be a fun thing for our fans.”
Just as Hill Kelly has been a long-time corporate partner with the Blue Wahoos, the same is true for Bere’ Jewelers, which led to the promotion of “Diamond Dig.”
Any fan attending Saturday’s game can pre-register to participate. And with plastic spoons in hand, the fans will rush out to the infield area and begin digging into the dirt with a vague hint of location.
A plastic trinket will be buried prior to the game and the toy item is the redeemable prize for the diamond, along with help for a ring setting at Bere Jewelers, which has been in business for more than 40 years in Pensacola.
Owners Barry and Laura Cole have operated at the expansive store’s location on 12th Avenue since 2017.
“We are very fortunate to have Barry and Laura being a great partner with us and do such a fun thing and give away a diamond,” Griffith said. “Again, just like giving away the car, some will buy a ticket to the game and walk out with a multi-thousand diamond.
“And everyone who participates gets a gift as well to Bere’ Jewelers to go to their store. We don’t limit how many people can do it. We just ask everyone to pre-register.”
WAHOOS NOTEWORTHY
— Former catcher Will Banfield became the 150th Blue Wahoos player to reach the major leagues when he made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 23. Banfield played 146 games for the Blue Wahoos across two seasons (2022-23) helping the team with its Southern League title in 2022 and return to the championship series in 2023. He was the team MVP in 2023 after hitting 23 homers.
— The Blue Wahoos have three weeks left in the season, entering Tuesday with 19 games remaining. It’s a three-team battle for the second playoff spot. Montogomery has a half-game lead and the Columbus Clingstones trail the Blue Wahoos by a half-game after taking four straight wins last week to win the series. The Blue Wahoos end their season at home on Sept. 9-14 against Columbus.
— This season has featured 60 different players wearing Blue Wahoos uniforms. The latest transaction was pitcher Dax Fulton getting elevated Tuesday to join Triple-A Jacksonville.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Blue Wahoos Homestand
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Tuesday Through Sunday. Game times are 6:05 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday through-Saturday. Wednesday’s game is a doubleheader (two 7-inning games) beginning at 4:05. Sunday’s game begins at 4:05 p.m.
PROMOTIONS: Thursday’s game is Pensacola Mullets Night with select alcoholic beverages discounted. On Friday, a new car will be awarded to one lucky fan, provided by Hill Kelly Dodge Jeep Chrysler. In addition, the first 1,000 fans through gates will receive Blue Wahoos Hawaiian shirts, courtesy of sponsor Harvesters Credit Union. On Saturday, in addition to post-game fireworks, it will be the fourth annual Bere’ Jewelers Diamond Dig. Fans can pre-register to enter field following game and dig for a trinket that will be redeemable for a diamond at Bere.
Bill Vilona is a retired Pensacola News Journal sports columnist and now senior writer for Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He can be reached at bvilona@bluewahoos.com
Pitt received a commitment from former Kentucky middle blocker/right-side hitter Jordyn Dailey.
Dailey is a redshirt sophomore and will have two years of eligibility. The 6-foot-2 North Carolina native racked up 188 kills, 116 blocks and 42 digs over the past two seasons. Dailey recorded 142 kills, 82 blocks and a .314 hitting percentage in 2024. Her numbers dipped to 46 kills, 34 blocks and a .211 hitting percentage in 2025.
Pitt lost middle blocker Ryla Jones to Penn State through the transfer portal.
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston volleyball program and head coach Brenda Gray announced the signing of six student-athletes to play for the Bearkats for the 2026 season.
The signing class consists of outside hitters Annika Brooks, Brenlin Garlitz, Justice Rachal, Kameron Rector, Lauren Pyle and Sarah Odell.
“All of these young ladies bring a passion and energy that Sam Houston Volleyball thrives upon,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “They all come with numerous accolades both on the court and in the classroom.”
Annika Brooks • 6-3 • RS • Halletsville, Texas • Sacred Heart Catholic School / Blinn College
Blinn College
– 2025 second team all-conference selection
Ovilla Christian School
– 2021 second team all-district selection as freshman
– 2022 first team all-district selection as a sophomore
– 2022 honorable mention all-area
– 2023 first team all-district selection as a junior
– 2023 TAPPS first team all-state selection
– 2023 honorable mention all-area selection
– 2023 TAPPS academic all-state selection
– 2024 first team all-district selection as a senior
– 2024 TAPPS first team all-state selection
– 2024 TAPPS academic all-state selection
Texas Tornadoes (Club)
– 17s bid to nationals
– 18s bid to nationals
Gray on Brooks …
“Annika brings size and a blocking presence to our game on the right side. We are so fortunate to have her join us this spring.”
Brenlin Garlitz • 5-10 • S • Waxahachie, Texas • Ovilla Christian School
Ovilla Christian School
– 2022 TAPPS second team all-district selection as freshman
– 2023 TAPPS first team all-state
– 2024 TAPPS first team all-state
– 2024 Ellis County All-Star Team
– 4-time state champion
Texas Advantage Volleyball (Club)
– NRG 15s bid to nationals
– NRG 16s bid to nationals
– TAV 18s Black: 5th at nationals
Gray on Garlitz …
“We are excited to bring in a dynamic setter to help run our floor. Brenlin runs a quick offense and brings a passion and love for the game that is undeniable.”
“Justice will be a crowd favorite from the start. She has a contagious energy and a vertical leap that will add to the excitement on the outside position.”
“It is good for us to get an experienced floor leader on the roster and we are excited to have her join us in the spring to begin running our offense and bring her expertise that she delivered in junior college”.
– 2024 and 2025 District 15-6A Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year
– 2024 and 2025 first team all-District 15-6A
– 2024 and 2025 academic all-District 15-6A
– Played club at North Houston Elite Volleyball
Gray on Odell …
“There is an explosiveness to the outside that is needed in this league, which Sarah immediately gives us as a complete, six-rotation player who will help balance our offense.”
If it were up to head coach Charlie Wade, the University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball team would never start its season this early.
The Rainbow Warriors, who began their preseason practices on Sunday, will officially begin their 2026 campaign on Friday against the New Jersey Institute of Technology. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. Although the ‘Bows have routinely started their seasons on the first Friday of the year, that doesn’t mean Wade has to like it.
“I’ve advocated that the first match can’t be before (Martin Luther King Jr. Day),” Wade said on Monday. “Let them actually have a holiday and then come back and practice for a couple of weeks. But how it goes, everybody kind of ramps it up, practices for a few days and then starts playing.”
One of the few positives Wade sees in the compressed preseason schedule is the fact that the Rainbow Warriors are not in class yet, which allows them the time to focus on an intense schedule featuring two practices a day leading up to the opener.
Trips to the practice gym have been frequent in recent days. Inside of it is a collection of world-class athletes, a roster featuring players from seven different countries and four separate states. Although there’s only one senior among the 19 players, the Rainbow Warriors are a team with clear national championship expectations in 2026.
The Rainbow Warriors have played in four national championship matches under Wade, winning it all in 2021 and 2022. The ‘Bows went 27-6 in 2025 and were swept by UCLA in the national semifinals. In 2026, UH returns five of its seven starters in that semifinal match, not counting star opposite hitter Kristian Titriyski, who missed the last eight matches due to an ankle injury.
Despite its losses in personnel, the Rainbow Warriors have reloaded. After losing beloved assistant coach Milan Zarkovic to UCLA, Wade got Maui native and former Ball State head coach Donan Cruz to join the staff. Meanwhile, the void left by former starting libero ‘Eleu Choy will likely be filled by Canadian national teamer Quintin Greenidge, a newcomer in Mānoa who will have two years of college eligibility remaining.
When Grand Canyon University decided to immediately scrap its nationally ranked men’s volleyball program following the 2025 season to focus on other sports, the Rainbow Warriors were able to benefit by signing freshman All-American Trevell Jordan and former GCU commit Thatcher Fahlbusch. Jordan is competing for one of the two starting spots at middle blocker, along with Ofeck Hazan, Justin Todd, Alex Parks and 7-foot freshman Roman Payne.
“None of us saw it coming,” Jordan said of Grand Canyon punting on men’s volleyball. “The team and squad (at UH) has been really inviting. They’ve been working with me to get me more accommodated to here, as it’s a big move from where I originally was from.”
Jordan immediately became one of the most coveted players in the NCAA transfer portal upon entering. He was already familiar with a handful of players on the UH roster after playing with them on multiple United States national teams.
“He had offers to go to every top program in the country, and ironically, they were pushing him to make a fast decision, and they pushed him towards us,” Wade recalled. “I was the one saying, ‘Hey, I’m in for the long haul. I want you here. Take your time to figure it out.'”
Running the show for the Rainbow Warriors is Tread Rosenthal, the team’s 6-foot-11 setter who established himself as the team’s unquestioned leader as a sophomore in 2025.
“I think last year we showed that we had the potential to be the best team on any given night, but I think this year we need to be the best team every night no matter what,” Rosenthal said. “I think that just comes with working with together to get it more consistent.”
Added Wade: “It’s year three (for Rosenthal). It’s the payoff year, right? By the third year, you can see there’s just kind of a calm confidence to him that he’s kind of been there, done that. He clearly is the leader of the team. These are his guys. A lot of them are here because of him. Looking for even bigger and better things from him this year for sure.”
Hawai‘i will start off the year as the No. 2 team in the country following the release of the preseason AVCA poll, which had UCLA in the top spot. External expectations are high for the Rainbow Warriors, but internal expectations are higher.
“My freshman year, we didn’t go to the championship. My sophomore year, we lost in the the semis,” junior outside hitter Louis Sakanoko said. “We have to get the championship now. I feel like the whole team knows we could win the championship. We have the team for it, but now we need to be consistent enough to beat every single team every night. And we’re just really, really excited to prove that to everyone.
“We all want to win a national championship. That’s the goal. We won the Big West last year, that was wonderful for sure, but we want that big one.”
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
Setter: Madison Markwardt, Round Top-Carmine, soph.
Libero/Defensive Specialist: Ana Servin, Sulphur Bluff, sr.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Professional Volleyball League team Choco Mucho Flying Titans announced four addition to their team, Eya Laure, Jaila Atienza, Alina Bicar, and Caitlin Viray, for 2026 on Wednesday.
“The Choco Mucho Flying Titans welcome 4 new players to the team! They bring the grit, speed, and fire that will make every match unforgettable,” they wrote in their post.
This came after Royse Tubino, Bia General, Cherry Nunag, and Aduke Agunsanya ended their stint with the team. (Instagram/Choco Mucho Flying Titans)
