MEDIA RELEASE

A power-hitter in her days as a University of Hawai‘i at Hilo student/athlete, Haunani Haasenritter is making a return to her alma mater as an assistant softball coach.

“I am so excited to have Haunani join the coaching staff,” UH Hilo Head Coach Peejay Brun said. “Her accomplishments as a well-rounded student-athlete will make her a great mentor for these young ladies as they journey through their collegiate career. On the field, she will be working with the outfielders and helping develop our hitters.

“She has a lot of passion for the game and love for her hometown of Hilo.”

Haasenritter was a four-year starter (2004-07) with a career .327 batting average. In her senior season, she earned first-team all-PacWest and second-team all-West Region honors while batting .373 with eight doubles, 11 homeruns and 41 RBI. That season, the Vulcans recorded a program record 42 victories and won the PacWest title. In the classroom, she twice earned NFCA Academic all-America honors.

Over the next five years, Haasenritter was an assistant coach at Hilo High School (2008-11, 2013). Also during that time, she was the Hilo Intermediate School’s track and field coach (2010-14) and softball coach (2013-14).

Since 2010, Haasenritter has been a Hilo Intermediate physical education teacher and multiple sports & fitness programs coach.