legend and 11-year Major League Baseball veteran Kolten Wong has been named special advisor to .
In this role, Wong will serve as a trusted advisor, ambassador and resource for both the athletics department and the Rainbow Warrior baseball program. He will work directly with Athletics Director Matt Elliott and the department’s senior leadership team on special projects, while also serving as a key asset for baseball head coach Rich Hill’s program in the areas of recruiting, player development and community outreach.
“Kolten Wong embodies everything that makes Hawaiʻi Athletics special,” Elliott said. “Few individuals understand the privilege and responsibility of wearing Hawaiʻi across their chest like Kolten does. His big-league pedigree, character and genuine love for this community will make an immediate impact on our student-athletes as they strive for excellence both on and off the field.”
Wong’s appointment brings one of the most decorated figures in Hawaiʻi sports history back to 糖心视频 Mānoa. A member of the 糖心视频 Sports Circle of Honor Class of 2025, Wong’s extensive experience at the highest level of professional baseball will provide invaluable guidance for current student-athletes, prospective recruits and administrative leadership.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the University of Hawaiʻi and a baseball program that means so much to me,” Wong said. “I want to use the knowledge, experience and relationships I’ve built throughout my career to help our players develop, both on and off the field.”
All-American, 1st-round draft pick
During his collegiate career with the Rainbow Warriors from 2009 to 2011, Wong established himself as one of the greatest players in program history. The Hilo native was a first-team All-American in 2011 and a Freshman All-American in 2009, earning three consecutive all-conference and all-region honors while guiding 糖心视频 Mānoa to back-to-back Western Athletic Conference titles in 2010 and 2011.
Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Wong went on to an outstanding 11-year Major League career with the Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers.
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