UNLV Athletics
The “Ninth Island Showdown” trophy was unveiled on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at Rebel Park. The trophy will be awarded to the winner of the annual UNLV vs. Hawaii football game.
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 | 2:33 p.m.
UNLV football already has the Cannon Game, and now they've got the...Pineapple Game?
It was announced today that the winner of the annual game between UNLV and Hawaii would take home the "Ninth Island Showdown" trophy, a large metal pineapple that was unveiled at Rebel Park.
UNLV and Hawaii first met in 1969, and the two schools have played 26 times since then. Hawaii is 15-11 in the series.
"The Rebels and Rainbow Warriors have been playing memorable games against each other in front of spirited crowds in Las Vegas and Honolulu for five decades, so it is fitting for a trophy to become part of the matchup," UNLV Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois said in a news release.
The trophy will make its first game-day appearance on Saturday, when Hawaii and UNLV tangle at Sam Boyd Stadium. The pineapple will be on the field, and the winning team will carry it home.
While it may take some time for the new tradition to catch on, the initial response to the pineapple trophy was much more positive than UNLV's last big reveal — a redesigned Hey Reb! logo that left many confused.
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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