Former UH All-American Gives Back to Special Olympics Hawaii

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Former University of Hawaii volleyball star Jakob Thelle is giving back to the islands.

Over his five years in Manoa, UH setter Jakob Thelle delivered Hawaii sports fans countless memorable moments. And despite bringing the state two National Championships, he still wants to give back to the islands.

“We know how important sports is and that it’s not just what you do on the court or on the field or in the water, but really how your impact is more than just that and into the community.” Thelle told Hawaii News Now.

The All-American recently held an online auction for some of his UH gear with all funds going to Special Olympics Hawaii.

Over the course of a few days, Thelle’s items were sold, raising over $4,000.

Thelle chose Special Olympics Hawaii after a chance encounter with one of their athletes and they quickly became friends.

“They came to one of my swimming competitions and I was very blessed to have them come,” Ahtlete Peter Cumataotao said. “You know, I was very happy.”

“It was just an honor to meet Peter for the first time seeing him compete here in the Special Olympics,” Thelle said. “Also having him as a great friend because he’s a really amazing athlete and representative of the Special Olympics.”

Special Olympics Hawaii fundraises year round to give the best opportunities for its athletes and donations like these go a long way in helping the organization.

“Someone like Jakob who loves Hawaii, who people know goes out of their way to make a difference by auctioning off some of his items so that our athletes can receive a donation from him,” Special Olympics Hawaii director of development Tracey Bender said. “I mean, it’s incredible and again we’re so grateful that he thought of us.”

For Thelle, it keeps him connected to a place he loves deeply.

“Hawaii is still my home and I’d even consider that it’s more home than Norway also, so knowing what the professional life was like and I just really thought about Hawaii every day,” Thelle said. “It’s because of the people, the community here is really, it means everything to me.”

Thelle is set to return to Norway before starting his second professional volleyball season in France.

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