HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - Dave Shoji, alongside his wife Mary, was honored on the Senate floor for his years of dedication and devotion to the State of Hawai‘i and to Wahine Volleyball at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The Senate presented Shoji with a koa paddle along with a certificate expressing gratitude to him for being a true example of good sportsmanship and strong leadership.
“On this day, we gather to recognize, to show our appreciation for and ultimately say mahalo nui loa to a coach, a friend, a role model, a mentor, a champion, who has given so much to Hawai‘i, to the
sport of volleyball and to thousands of keiki across this great state,” said Senator Kai Kahele, chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education.
Dave Shoji began his volleyball career as a player at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned All-American honors in 1968 and 1969. He started his coaching career as a varsity basketball coach at Iolani in 1972, and as an assistant coach at Punahou School. He is also credited with starting the men’s volleyball program, where he was the coach from 1978-85. Under his leadership as head coach, the Rainbow Wahine won four national titles in 1979, 1982, 1983, and 1987.
Dave received many honors during his forty-two year coaching tenure, including 13-time conference and nine-time region Coach of the Year, and National Coach of the Year in 1982 and 2009. Shoji was recognized as a USA Volleyball All-Time Great Volleyball Coach in 2002, he was coach of the NCAA 25th Anniversary team, and he was named the winningest coach in NCAA history in 2013. Dave Shoji is inducted into both the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Hawai‘i Sports Hall of Fame.
Earlier in the Governor’s ceremonial room, April 13, 2017 was declared “Dave Shoji Day” at the Hawai‘i State Capitol by Governor David Ige.
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