Statement from Lois Manin, who will take over as UH AD on Dec. 2

Here is Manin’s statement in full:

The last 24 hours has been a challenging and emotional time for everyone within the UH Athletics ‘ohana including coaches, student-athletes, staff, fans, supporters and especially Craig Angelos. I’ve been assigned the responsibility to serve as Acting Athletics Director and my goal is to do everything I can to help in this transition and continue the momentum that Craig and the team has created during his time here. It is important that we keep our focus on supporting our student-athletes.
 
There has been a lot of chatter regarding my employment at UH Athletics. I would like to set the record straight with facts and not conjecture. 
First of all, let me be very clear. I will not be applying for the permanent position.
 
I applied for the UH Athletics Director job when David Matlin retired. I was a finalist. When David Lassner called to tell me that I did not get the job, I thanked him for the opportunity.  I was disappointed that I was not chosen, but not surprised. Later that day the announcement was made that Craig Angelos was hired. I called every person on the search advisory committee to thank them for their service. Within the first 30 seconds of meeting Craig, I told him that I wanted him to hear from me and not anyone else that I had applied for the job and that I was prepared to support him fully. I remained in my current job as Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations and supported Craig as best I could with what knowledge I gained in my 25 years in collegiate athletics administration at UH. 
 
I have worked in different roles for many different leaders in my career and have always taken the same approach, whether the athletics director was Stan Sheriff, Hugh Yoshida, Herman Frazier, David Matlin or Craig Angelos. I fully understood that I take direction from my supervisor as we both work for the University, the Athletics Department, the student-athletes and the people of Hawaiʻi.
 
I have been both a union employee and an at-will employee. My effort does not change in any capacity or for any leader. It has always been my best effort. I have worked countless hours of nights, weekends and holidays for the department alongside so many others who love the program, our student-athletes, our coaches and our fans. 
 
I decided not long after I was not hired as Athletics Director last year, that I would not take another shot at the top job. I would end my athletics career in the second chair if allowed to do so. I have been asked to serve as Acting Athletics Director when Craig departs and until the next leader is chosen. I do not know the timeline and do not intend to apply for the job when it opens up. I view my role as getting the department through the transition. 
 
I do not intend to lead a department that is static or mediocre during this transition. Intercollegiate athletics nationally and our program are in the midst of a seismic shift and I will do everything possible to lead us with optimism and boldness as we continue to advance every aspect of the program into the new era of college athletics. My hope is that everyone can put personal feelings aside and work together for the greater good of our student-athletes, coaches, fans, and the staff behind the scenes who help make it all work.   
 
Go Bows!
 
Respectfully,
Lois Manin