From Kalihi to Flushing Meadows: Andre Ilagan’s Journey Reaches the U.S. Open

From Kalihi to Flushing Meadows: Andre Ilagan’s Journey Reaches the U.S. Open

Aug 20, 2026

From Kalihi to Flushing Meadows: Andre Ilagan’s Journey Reaches the U.S. Open

Photo credit: Hawaii Athletics

Andre Ilagan grew up spending four or five hours a day on the tennis courts at Kalaukaua District Park.

Next week, he’ll step onto a much bigger stage.

The Farrington High School graduate and former University of Hawai‘i standout earned one of nine wild-card entries into the qualifying tournament for the 2026 U.S. Open, becoming the first Rainbow Warrior men’s tennis player to compete at the major tournament.

It’s a historic accomplishment for the UH program. For Ilagan, it’s also the latest step in a journey that began in Kalihi with some cheap tennis rackets and a challenge from his family to find a way to pay for college.

“Coming out of Kalihi in general is cool,” Ilagan said during a media availability Wednesday. “I love it. It just builds character for me. I take pride in it every time.”

An Unlikely Start

Tennis wasn’t necessarily supposed to be Ilagan’s sport.

He grew up in a basketball family and remembers his brother suffering a sprained ankle before seeing tennis on television and deciding the family should give it a try.

They found some inexpensive rackets — Ilagan remembers it being either Goodwill or a swap meet — and headed to the court.

Eventually, what started almost by accident became an opportunity.

“Dre, you’re not gonna be that tall,” Ilagan recalled his family telling him. “We’re not gonna pay for your school. So find a way to get a full scholarship somewhere at school and dig in.”

Ilagan did exactly that.

Growing up in Kalihi, he became known as the kid who seemingly lived on the tennis court, playing seven days a week and spending hours each day at Kalaukaua District Park.

There were early mornings and plenty of sacrifices along the way. Ilagan remembers Saturday practices at 7 a.m. when he’d rather stay home, only for his father to challenge him on how badly he really wanted it.

That discipline eventually took him from Farrington to the University of Hawai‘i.

‘It Changed Who I Am’

At UH, Ilagan became one of the most accomplished players in program history, earning ITA All-America honors in 2023 after advancing to the NCAA Singles Championship Round of 16.

But when asked what his college experience did for him, Ilagan didn’t start with tennis.

“It changed who I am, for sure,” he said.

He openly admits he didn’t arrive at UH with everything figured out. During his first semester, Ilagan said he did enough academically to get by before teammates challenged him to take the same approach to life that he said he wanted to take with tennis.

Ilagan had told them he wanted to become a professional player.

Their response was essentially: then start acting like one.

“I had a reality check — accountability,” Ilagan said.

He credits his teammates and coaches with creating an environment where the emphasis wasn’t simply on winning the next match, but becoming better on and off the court.

“It’s always, ‘All right, do the right thing, and if you win, cool. If you lose, hey, keep doing it again,’” Ilagan said. “Just sticking to it, and that’s pretty much who I am today.”

That foundation became especially important once his college career ended.

Finding His Way as a Pro

Ilagan admits his first few years of professional tennis weren’t easy.

“I’ll be quite honest, my first few years were a bit rough, especially my first year,” he said.

The transition was more than simply facing better competition. At UH, Ilagan played for teammates and coaches. On the professional tour, he suddenly had to figure out what he was playing for when everything became about himself.

It took time.

Now, Ilagan says part of his motivation comes from the people back home and showing what may be possible for someone who didn’t necessarily grow up with every advantage.

“For someone that didn’t have much growing up, and just being — not saying you can make it — but have the option to be a professional tennis player,” he said.

His results have started to reflect that growth.

Back-to-back appearances in ATP Challenger finals helped Ilagan earn his U.S. Open qualifying wild card and put him on the doorstep of the Top 200 in the world.

To advance into the U.S. Open main draw, he’ll need to win three qualifying matches.

And while reaching one of tennis’ biggest stages carries obvious significance, Ilagan was also refreshingly candid about another benefit: the paycheck.

Professional tennis doesn’t come with a guaranteed salary. Ilagan explained that players largely have to support themselves or find people willing to invest in their careers.

“Obviously playing the U.S. Open for the first time, it’s good for the bank account, that’s for sure,” he said. “It helps me continue my career.”

For Ilagan, that’s what the money represents — the ability to keep playing.

But there’s also something much harder to quantify about this opportunity.

The players Ilagan once watched on television — or sometimes on his laptop while sitting in class at UH — are now the players standing across the net from him.

“I’ve reached a level to the point where I was watching these guys on TV, now I’m playing against them,” Ilagan said. “And then I can beat them now.”

Through it all, he’s learned to stop worrying about how everyone else approaches the game.

“Just going out there, just doing it my way, my style, don’t care what anyone thinks,” Ilagan said. “You can lose yourself because it’s like, ‘Oh, but this guy did that, but this guy…’ Like, who cares at the end of the day? We’re all human beings.”

“Just compete.”

It’s a philosophy that has taken Ilagan a long way from those public courts in Honolulu.

From Kalihi to Farrington. From Farrington to UH. From UH to the professional tour.

And now, to the U.S. Open.

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Oct 10, 2026

HONOLULU – Someone tell Joshua Walker to keep his dancing shoes handy. The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team continued a perfect start to conference play on Saturday night, slicing through San Jose State (6-10, 1-5 Mountain West) in...

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Oct 10, 2026

The seeds of competence were there. The University of Hawai’i football team traveled to Tempe, took an early lead for the first time in a month and slowly unraveled afterwards on the way to a 30-12 loss to Arizona State (3-2) on Saturday night....

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Players with Hawaii-ties selected by MLB teams in 2026 draft, free agency

Players with Hawaii-ties selected by MLB teams in 2026 draft, free agency

Jul 13, 2026

Players with Hawaii-ties selected by MLB teams in 2026 draft, free agency

Ben Zeigler-Namoa takes a photo following the University of Hawai’i senior night in May 2026. | Photo: Riley Guillermo

Five players with Hawaiʻi connections heard their names called during the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, while two former University of Hawaiʻi standouts agreed to free-agent contracts shortly after the draft concluded.

Leading the group was Ewa Beach native Nu’u Contrades, who was selected by the San Diego Padres in the sixth round with the 186th overall pick. The Saint Louis School alumnus was drafted out of Arizona State after earning All-Big 12 First Team honors.

The Atlanta Braves selected Lahaina native Ben Zeigler-Namoa in the 10th round with the 292nd overall pick. A Baldwin High School graduate, Zeigler-Namoa played collegiately at the University of Hawaiʻi before beginning his professional career.

Later in the 10th round, the Chicago Cubs chose Kihei native Luke Alwood with the 307th overall pick. The Maui High School graduate was drafted out of Seattle University.

Wailuku native Kuhio Aloy went to the New York Mets in the 11th round with the 330th overall selection. The Baldwin High School product starred at Arkansas before becoming the third Maui native selected in this year’s draft.

Former University of Hawaiʻi outfielder Jack Salmon rounded out the state’s draft selections when the Los Angeles Angels picked him in the 19th round with the 554th overall selection. Salmon spent the 2025 season with the Rainbow Warriors before continuing his career at UNLV.

Several additional Hawaiʻi players also landed professional opportunities as undrafted free agents.

Isaiah Magdaleno prepares to throw a pitch to plate in the 2026 season opener against Gonzaga. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Fellow Hawaiʻi pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno agreed to a free-agent deal with the Toronto Blue Jays following one of the most decorated pitching seasons in program history. Magdaleno spent three seasons with the Rainbow Warriors and finished the 2026 campaign with 116 strikeouts, including a career-high 16 in a one-hit complete-game shutout against UC Riverside. He also threw two complete-game victories and became the first Hawaiʻi player since Kolten Wong in 2011—and just the sixth player in program history—to earn multiple All-America honors.

Right-handed pitcher John Alkire II signed with the Chicago Cubs after spending the 2026 season at Hawaiʻi. Alkire recorded 32 strikeouts during his lone season with the Rainbow Warriors.

The draft selections and free-agent signings continue a strong stretch for baseball talent with Hawaiʻi roots, with players from Oʻahu, Maui and the University of Hawaiʻi earning opportunities to begin their professional careers.

UH Athletics Receives $5 Million NIL Commitment; Leaders Call on Community to Join Effort

UH Athletics Receives $5 Million NIL Commitment; Leaders Call on Community to Join Effort

Jun 10, 2026

UH Athletics Receives $5 Million NIL Commitment; Leaders Call on Community to Join Effort

HONOLULU — University of Hawaiʻi Athletics received a major boost Wednesday as five prominent Hawaiʻi donors and organizations announced a combined $5 million commitment over the next five years to support student-athlete Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.

Bank of Hawaiʻi, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Jack Tsui and Walter Dods will each contribute $200,000 annually over the next five years, creating a $1 million-per-year foundation for UH Athletics as it navigates the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where university leaders, donors, coaches and student-athletes gathered to celebrate what UH Athletics Director Matt Elliott described as a transformational moment for the program.

“We are here today because leaders in our community decided to create hope,” Elliott said. “What you’ve done is provide inspiration. You’ve inspired us all.”

Elliott: “This Is About Team Hawaiʻi”

Elliott spent much of his remarks highlighting the accomplishments of UH Athletics over the past year, including five conference championships, a men’s volleyball national title, a Hawaiʻi Bowl victory, a return to the NCAA Tournament for men’s basketball, and 170 student-athletes earning degrees.

But he repeatedly returned to a broader message.

“This is about our fans, our community, and our student-athletes all coming together,” Elliott said. “Because we can pursue joy, we can pursue excellence together, and we can have an amazing time doing it.”

Elliott also emphasized that the gift provides a critical starting point, but not the finish line.

“We now know that we have a foundation to build our fundraising and other revenue-generating support,” Elliott said during the Q&A session. “Each year we’re going to set our goals, try to figure out what it takes to be competitive.”

Dods: “The Reality Is Already Here”

Former First Hawaiian Bank CEO Walter Dods delivered perhaps the most direct message of the morning regarding NIL and the changing realities of college athletics.

“People can certainly have different opinions about whether college athletes should be compensated,” Dods said. “But the reality is already here.”

Speaking off-script during the press conference, Dods challenged those still skeptical of NIL.

“We have great leadership. We have great coaches. We have a wonderful community. But we still need M-O-N-E-Y,” Dods said. “People say, ‘Why should we do this? Why should they get paid?’ Hey, this is the real world now.”

Dods also encouraged others to follow the example of the five lead donors.

“I’m going to speak out and beg the community to look at forming your own little teams of five people with five-year pledges,” Dods said. “I don’t care if it’s $5 or $50,000. Let’s get together and let’s make it happen.”

 

Chang: NIL Is About Retention

UH football head coach Timmy Chang was asked how NIL directly impacts his program and offered one of the clearest explanations of the current environment.

“Recruiting and retaining has a dollar value to it,” Chang said. “There is a free agency that happens every single year in every single sport.”

Chang noted that athletes who perform at a high level often become targets for other programs.

“The better they look, the dollar amount goes up,” Chang said. “There is a dollar amount to trying to help recruit them and also retain them.”

He later pointed specifically to local standouts who have chosen to stay home.

“Having players like Micah Alejado stay home and Pofele Ashlock come and play for us and to keep and retain those guys, it is a real thing,” Chang said.

UH Estimates $5 Million Annual Need

One of the more notable revelations from the event was confirmation that UH Athletics believes it needs approximately $5 million annually in NIL support to remain competitive within the Mountain West Conference and nationally.

During the Q&A session, Chang acknowledged that while exact NIL figures around the country are difficult to track, UH has identified roughly that amount as its target.

“We shot a goal as an athletic department to raise $5 million,” Chang said. “And that gets us there.”

The newly announced commitment provides $1 million annually toward that goal.

 

A Leadership Gift — And An Invitation

Several speakers stressed that Wednesday’s announcement should be viewed as a catalyst rather than a complete solution.

“This is just a start,” Matson Senior Vice President Leonard Isotoff said. “We hope more will join.”

First Hawaiian Bank Chairman and CEO Bob Harrison said timing was important.

“UH programs need the money now,” Harrison said. “Student-athletes are making decisions now.”

Elliott echoed that sentiment when asked whether the commitment could inspire additional support.

“That’s what a leadership gift does,” Elliott said. “It sets the tone and the stage for others who want to be a part of it and participate.”

Notable Quotes

Matt Elliott on local athletes staying home:

“When Micah and Lester and Luther and Dean and Pofele and Jamih and others chose that they wanted to be here at UH, they made the decision that they want to keep playing here. They didn’t want to go somewhere else.”

Walter Dods on UH’s role in Hawaiʻi:

“We don’t have professional teams. This is our professional team.”

Timmy Chang on representing Hawaiʻi:

“There is only one school that represents the state and all eight islands.”

Jim Polk, Bank of Hawaiʻi CEO:

“The landscape of Division I athletics has changed dramatically and communities that want their universities to compete at the highest level are going to have to find new ways to support our athletes.”

Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank CEO:

“We have to respond to it. We have to support our local teams.”

 

Takeaway

Wednesday’s announcement does not solve UH’s NIL challenge overnight, but it provides something the department has been seeking since the NIL era began: a significant, multi-year foundation from respected leaders in Hawaiʻi’s business community.

Just as importantly, the donors repeatedly framed the commitment as a starting point rather than an endpoint.

The message from university leadership, coaches and donors was consistent throughout the morning: NIL is now part of college athletics, and if Hawaiʻi wants to retain local talent and compete at the highest levels, broader community support will be needed moving forward.

CLICK HERE for way to support ‘Bows NIL.

UH Athletics NIL Bill Fails Final Senate Vote

UH Athletics NIL Bill Fails Final Senate Vote

May 9, 2026

UH Athletics NIL Bill Fails Final Senate Vote

Updated May 13, 2026

Just one week after conference committee members described SB 3263 as a “win-win situation” for University of Hawai‘i student-athletes, the measure failed to pass final reading in the Hawai‘i State Senate on Friday in a dramatic reversal that effectively halts the latest effort to establish a state-supported NIL framework tied to UH Athletics.

SB 3263 SD2 HD3 CD1 — one of the most closely watched collegiate athletics bills of the 2026 legislative session — failed on final Senate reading by a vote of 11-12, with two senators excused.

The final Senate vote against the bill were Senators Donovan Dela Cruz, Donna Mercado Kim, Troy Hashimoto, Samantha DeCorte, Brandon Elefante, Kurt Fevella, Mike Gabbard, Lorraine Inouye, Michelle Kidani, Glenn Wakai, Rachele Lamosao, and Sharon Moriwaki. Senators McKelvey and San Buenaventura were excused.

The outcome marked a notable shift from the May 1 conference committee hearing, where Senate conferees advanced the compromise version of the bill unanimously among voting members.

At that hearing, Senator Donna Mercado Kim praised the agreement after weeks of negotiations between lawmakers.

“I’m just glad that we were able to support our student athletes. I think this is a win-win situation for everybody.”

Conference committee records show Senators Mercado Kim, Hashimoto, and DeCorte all voted “Aye” in support of advancing the conference draft on May 1 before later voting against the bill at final reading on May 8.

Beyond its financial components, SB 3263 was also designed to establish Hawai‘i’s broader legal and operational NIL framework for University of Hawai‘i student-athletes.

According to the bill language, the measure would have formally affirmed the rights of student-athletes to participate in NIL activities while requiring UH to adopt policies governing institutional NIL agreements consistent with NCAA rules, federal law, and Title IX requirements. The bill also aimed to establish transparency standards, accountability measures, and educational protections for student-athletes entering NIL agreements.

The latest conference draft proposed a framework that included $2.5 million appropriated by the legislature along with a transfer of $4 million from University of Hawai‘i tuition and fees special fund to support NIL-related initiatives connected to UH Athletics. The measure represented a substantially revised version of earlier NIL legislation debated throughout the session, including negotiations surrounding endowment structures, oversight provisions, and funding mechanisms.

The sudden reversal came with limited floor discussion during final reading, though Senator Donovan Dela Cruz spoke in opposition before the vote and read portions of a letter he said came from the University of Hawai‘i Vice President for Budget and Finance following discussions between legislative finance and higher education leaders.

Donovan Dela Cruz speaks in opposition to SB 3263 during final Senate reading on May 8, 2026, reading portions of a letter from the University of Hawai‘i Vice President for Budget and Finance expressing concerns with the proposal.

During floor remarks, Dela Cruz read:

“We cannot proceed with the current proposal…”

He continued by reading the university’s concerns regarding “a state-funded endowment for name, image, and likeness” and said the university believed the proposal created legal and fiscal challenges it “cannot overcome.”

According to Dela Cruz, the letter also stated:

“We must respectfully request a deferral…”

The senator additionally noted on the floor that UH currently has “at least $411 million” within its tuition and fees special fund while arguing against the bill’s structure.

Update: UH Clarifies Position on SB 3263

Following publication, Hawai‘i Sports Radio Network received additional clarification from the University of Hawai‘i regarding SB 3263 and the concerns referenced on the Senate floor before the bill’s final vote.

According to UH, during the conference committee process the university shared concerns that the proposed endowment structure alone would not fully address the immediate need for NIL funding. Lawmakers then asked UH to formally outline those concerns in writing.

“The bill was ultimately amended to include $1.5 million for next year and UH supported the measure.

The university was surprised when an earlier version of UH’s concerns was read aloud before the Senate voted on and ultimately voted against the bill.”

UH emphasized that SB 3263 was not a university-introduced measure, noting that the bill originated in the Senate.

The university also noted that the House version of the state budget included the $5 million in NIL funding UH had requested, though that funding did not survive into the final budget draft.

UH added that while the legislative session has concluded, discussions regarding long-term athletics support are expected to continue moving forward.

Senate President Ron Kouchi announces the failure of SB 3263 during final Senate reading on May 8, 2026, after the UH Athletics NIL measure fell short of the votes needed for passage.

The failure of SB 3263 represents a significant setback for supporters who viewed the measure as a pathway for Hawai‘i to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving NIL era of college athletics.

Supporters had argued the bill would help UH Athletics address mounting financial pressures and recruiting realities as schools nationwide continue adapting to NIL and revenue-sharing changes, while also finally establishing a formal NIL structure and policy framework specific to Hawai‘i.

Instead, the measure now ends with one of the more unusual late-session reversals of the legislative year — a bill that successfully cleared conference committee only to lose enough Senate support days later to fail final passage.

Hawai‘i Sports Radio Network has requested a copy of the letter referenced by Senator Dela Cruz during floor debate and has also reached out to Senators Mercado Kim, Hashimoto, and DeCorte seeking comment regarding their change in vote between conference committee and final reading.

UH Athletics NIL Bill Fails Final Senate Vote

Hawai‘i NIL Bill SB 3263: Where Things Stand After Latest Legislative Movement

May 2, 2026

Hawai‘i NIL Bill SB 3263: Where Things Stand After Latest Legislative Movement

Hawai‘i’s debated Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) bill — SB 3263 — has reached its most advanced stage yet, with lawmakers moving closer to establishing a formal NIL framework for University of Hawai‘i student-athletes.

After months of amendments across both chambers, the bill has now advanced as Conference Draft 1 (CD1), signaling that the House and Senate have reached a negotiated agreement on the final version.

 

What Passed on Friday (CD1 Explained)

The version that moved forward Friday is the conference committee draft, which is typically the final step before a bill is sent to the Governor.

At this stage:

  • Both the House and Senate must vote to adopt the conference committee report (CCR)
  • No further amendments are allowed
  • If adopted, the bill is enrolled and sent to the Governor for signature or veto

In short: SB 3263 is essentially at the finish line.

 

Screenshot of House & Senate conference on Friday, May 1 streamed on the Senate YouTube Channel

From Concept to CD1: How the Bill Evolved

SB 3263 didn’t follow a straight path to this point.

Throughout the session, two different approaches to NIL emerged at the Legislature.

On the House side, HB 2384 emphasized building a broad NIL framework while proposing $5 million in more immediate funding to help the University of Hawai‘i stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.

The Senate’s version of SB 3263 took a different approach — focusing on a structured system built around an endowment, with detailed reporting requirements and long-term financial planning.

By the time the bill reached conference committee, the goal was no longer choosing one approach over the other. It was finding a way to combine them.

The result is CD1, a hybrid model that blends immediate support with a longer-term funding strategy.

 

The Headline Number — and the Reality Behind It

At the center of the bill is what’s been widely described as a $10 million NIL fund for UH athletics.

But that number needs context.

The endowment is built from three primary sources:

  • $4 million transferred from UH tuition and fees special funds
  • $2.5 million appropriated by the State
  • $5 million in private matching funds to be raised

On paper, that totals $10 million. In practice, it operates very differently from a traditional spending pool.

 

What UH Can Actually Use Right Away

The most immediate funding comes from the state appropriation — but even that is partially restricted.

Of the $2.5 million from the State:

  • $1 million must remain in the endowment as protected principal
  • The remaining $1.5 million is not locked in the same way

That $1.5 million becomes the primary pool UH can use in the short term for NIL-related support.

This is a key distinction. While the bill is often framed around a $10 million figure, UH’s immediate flexibility is much closer to that $1.5 million number.

 

The Rest Is Built for the Long Term

The remaining funds — including the $4 million from UH and the anticipated $5 million in private contributions — are intended to build the core of the endowment.

Those dollars are not meant to be spent outright. Instead, they function as a long-term financial base.

The bill sets a threshold before UH can begin tapping into the fund more broadly:

  • Once the endowment reaches at least $7.5 million
  • And maintains that level for three consecutive years

UH can begin using investment earnings, rather than the principal itself, to support NIL compensation and related benefits.

This structure is designed to prevent the fund from being depleted quickly, while creating a more sustainable model over time.

The Bottom Line

SB 3263 has come a long way — not because it started as a simple NIL permission bill, but because the final version reflects a merging of two very different approaches from earlier in the session.

The House-side version, through HB 2384, focused more heavily on creating a broad NIL framework while giving UH $5 million in more immediate funding to help compete in the new athlete compensation landscape.

The Senate’s original SB 3263, meanwhile, leaned more toward a long-term endowment model, with detailed reporting requirements, transparency measures, and a more structured approach to how NIL activity would be tracked and administered.

The CD1 version now appears to blend both philosophies.

It gives UH some short-term flexibility — most notably the roughly $1.5 million that can be used sooner — while still building toward a protected NIL endowment intended to support athlete compensation over time.

So while the $10 million figure is the headline, the real story is how lawmakers settled on a compromise: not a fully immediate spending pool, and not only a long-term endowment, but a hybrid model designed to help UH now while attempting to create something sustainable for the future.

If the final votes go through, Hawai‘i will officially enter a new era of college athletics — with UH positioned to directly support student-athletes in a way the program has never done before.

 

Beyond the Funding: What Else CD1 Does

While the financial structure is the centerpiece, CD1 also formalizes how NIL activity will operate at UH.

The bill allows the university to enter into institutional NIL agreements, meaning UH can directly compensate student-athletes — a significant shift from past models that relied heavily on third-party deals.

It also requires athletes to disclose NIL agreements valued at $600 or more, giving the university visibility for compliance purposes.

At the same time, athletes are not required to hire agents or professional representation. They may choose to do so, but can also manage their own deals or work with trusted advisors.

The bill includes additional protections, including a 10-day window to rescind contracts, and requires UH to provide education on financial literacy, contracts, and taxes.

Because public funds are involved, it also mandates annual reporting to the Legislature and requires NIL activity to be administered in a manner consistent with Title IX.

 

What Happens Next

With CD1 approved in conference committee Friday, the process now moves to final votes in both chambers.

If the House and Senate adopt the conference committee report, SB 3263 will be sent to the Governor, who can sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.