Despite Chaminade coming up short, Lynn Babington, president of Chaminade University, was sitting on the home team’s baseline, wearing a white baseball cap, and having a fabulous time during Chaminade’s men’s basketball game against the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Monday in the Maui Invitational Tournament. 

The Silverswords lost 83-57 in the Stan Sheriff Center, but Babington was all smiles after the final buzzer.

“It was fabulous,” Babington said. “We were just as loud as Kansas. I thought they [the Chaminade team] did great.”

Chaminade’s small but loud student section of 98 students, and Chaminade fans throughout the 10,300-seat arena, were rewarded as the Chaminade men’s basketball team was able to keep up with the elite athletic performance of Kansas.

“In basketball, you feed off the crowd’s energy, so I think the more that we yell and heckle Kansas, the more our guys will do better,” said Brady Wells, a third-year student from Polman, Washington studying Criminology and Criminal Justice. “But this is super fun, and I am enjoying myself.”

A total of 98 students from Chaminade attended the game, with Chaminade fans scattered among the arena. Many were seated on the same side as the Chaminade students, located midway up the lower section behind Chaminade’s bench. 

At halftime, the Silverswords were down by 12, but the fans were roaring, and with every turnover from Kansas or made basket from Chaminade, the cheers were heard across the Stan Sheriff Arena. Many were up and out of their seats, either in excitement or anger at the referees and both of the teams yelling down at the court below.

Monique Tsang, a graduate student from Honolulu who is working toward her Master of Arts In Teaching for Secondary Education, was selected to play giant-sized beer pong on the court as one of the intermission games in the first half.

“It was really hard, but at least I got two in,” said Tsang. “It was a fun experience.” 

Among the Chaminade fans in attendance was Kahala Hoke, the head coach of the women’s volleyball team. Just a few hours before the Maui Invitational game, it was announced that Chaminade volleyball will be the No. 1 seed in the NCAA West Region. 

“It was a festive day, and we knew coming into [Monday] that we were going to be able to celebrate our NCAA selection show for the women’s volleyball program,” Hoke said. “We also know that we wanted to be there to support our men’s basketball program as they face Kansas today in the Maui Invitational. We are very appreciative for the Maui Invitational knowing that it’s a huge supportive role in our athletics program or the reason why we can help fund our athletic program.” 

In previous years, and as the name implies, the Maui Invitational was played at the Lahaina Civic Center on Maui. However, due to the wildfires in west Maui, the tournament was moved to Oʻahu.  

“When we would make a bucket, and we would hear a bunch of yelling and screaming, it was pretty fun,” said Wyatt Lowell,  a forward for the Chaminade’s men’s basketball team. “It felt like it was the competition on the court, but also in some ways, a competition in the stands. We are super grateful for everyone from Chaminade who came out, so thank you, and we got some more games to play so we hope they keep coming.”