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Warrior Strut • Starting Line-Up • Call & Answer • Eo Eo
Celebration (Touchdown & Field Goal) • Conch Shell
Good stadium music inspires players and fans while reminding the visitors they're on foreign turf, which is why some of the best stadium themes play on the intrinsic culture of the home team's city or institution. A successful example of this is the native sound utilized by the University of Hawai'i Football team, where war drums, conch calls, chanting, and traditional Polynesian musicians greet fans.
The idea originated with five-time Grammy Award-winning composer Mike Post, who has written music for dozens of television shows, including "Hill Street Blues, "Law & Order," and "NYPD Blue." Post, who has lived part-time in Hawai'i for the past 30 years, became friends with Jones when he returned to lead the program in 1999. He also serves on the Advisory Committee of the June Jones Foundation.
Former UH Head Coach June Jones worked with Mike Post to develop the brief stadium themes. The six taped pieces include "Conch Shell," which is played before kickoff, "Eo Eo," which is played during timeouts, and "Warrior Strut," which is played as the Warriors enter the field.
"When I first came back, Mike mentioned to me that he wanted to do something for the school," says Jones. "He wanted to give something to the football program, something that would last long after he and I are gone."
The lyrics to "Warrior Strut," provided by Dr. Kanalu Young, former professor of Hawai'ian studies at the university, include a traditional Hawai'ian call to arms, "Eo Na Toa E," which translates to "This is battle. You must respond." Dr. Young passed in 2008.
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