TUF Gala Recap: A Night to Remember
Mahalo to everyone who supported, sponsored, assisted, and attended our first-everTUF Gala, it was an unforgettable night and a tremendous success! Together, we exceeded our $130,000 fundraising goal, welcomed an amazing turnout, and were surrounded by nothing butsmiling faces, laughter, and heartfelt compliments. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better first event. This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible sponsors whose generosity and belief in our mission made the evening shine: Namauu Technological & Industrial, Dorvin D. Leis Co., Inc., Karey Kapoi LLC, Alpha Inc., Maui Paving, Goodfellow Bros. Inc., Kaluka & Malia Maiava, IBEW Local Union 1186, Dickson Trucking, Woody’s Plumbing Services LLC, Gina Gromley Law, Group Builders Inc., Broad Fit Financial, Aloha International Employment, State Farm Insurance, BG Inc. & 900 Eha Inc., and Rosete Painting. From the bottom of our hearts, mahalo nui loa, your support helps us continue creating opportunities, building community, and empowering Hawai‘i’s youth through sport, education, and mentorship.
TUF Gala 2025
MAHALO TO OUR SPONSORS
ABOUT TUF
The Underdog Foundation, founded by former NFL athlete and Maui native Joseph “JoJo” Dickson, empowers young athletes through high-level training, mentorship, and personal development. Rooted in JoJo’s journey from Baldwin High School to the NFL, the foundation instills a mindset of excellence, on and off the field. With a focus on character, discipline, and opportunity, our mission is to elevate the next generation of athletes and leaders, proving that with the right support, every underdog has the potential to rise.
WHY SUPPORT TUF
The Underdog Foundation empowers youth athletes through training, mentorship, and resources that fuel success both on and off the field. At the heart of this mission is TUF Fieldhouse, a one-of-a-kind facility on Maui that provides a safe, structured environment for growth, resilience, and opportunity. By supporting this gala, you help sustain vital programs like camps, clinics, and scholarships, ensuring finances are never a barrier for local youth to chase their dreams.
OUR PROGRAMS
The Underdog Foundation is a hub for programs like TUF Fieldhouse, a state-of-the-art training facility empowering youth and adult athletes in Hawai‘i with access to elite resources including a weight room, turf field, batting cages, study space, and private showers. Programs like the Under Armour All-America Camp Series, which has helped athletes earn nearly $4M in scholarships, and Top Dog Testing, which delivers verified performance data to athletes of all levels, the Fieldhouse is a vital hub for development, opportunity, and community impact.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Becoming a supporter of the TUF Gala is your chance to be part of something truly impactful. You can join us by selecting one of our meaningful sponsorship tiers, each designed to offer exclusive benefits and recognition while directly supporting our mission. Or, you can contribute to our silent auction by donating a unique prize or experience that will help us raise vital funds for our youth programs. Whether you’re backing us through sponsorship or donation, your support fuels opportunities, uplifts young athletes, and brings lasting change to our community. Together, we can turn potential into greatness, let’s make a difference, side by side.