Chaminade University of Honolulu Athletics

Chaminade competes in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships while maintaining a balance between academics and sports. The Silverswords field 12 varsity teams with 201 total athletes, meaning about 12% of the 1,648 students participate in varsity sports. The school awards $1.4 million in athletic scholarships across all programs. Chaminade plays in the Pacific West Conference against schools primarily from California and Hawaii. The university gained national basketball attention in the 1980s and 1990s when their men's team regularly upset major programs in early-season tournaments, including famous victories over top-ranked teams. The school's location in Honolulu provides a unique recruiting advantage for mainland students seeking to play sports in paradise. Division II allows Chaminade to offer competitive athletics without the intense pressure of major college sports.