Hawai’i AD search takes next step; search committee announced by Hensel

HONOLULU – The search for the new University of Hawai’i athletics director took a major step forward on Wednesday. 

The school announced the names of a 10-person search committee that will be tasked with identifying and sorting through candidates for the major job opening, stating that the intention is to conduct interviews by the late stages of May and make a hire to fill the position by mid-to-late summer. 

The committee will be co-chaired by UH Board of Regents Chair Gabriel Lee and Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation Chairman Jack Tsui, though President Hensel will make the ultimate call on who is selected to fill the AD position. Other members of the search committee include Bank of Hawaii CEO & Chairman Peter Ho, Rainbow Wahine soccer coach Michele Nagamine, ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue Chair and member of the Hawai’i Bowl Executive Committee Leslie Campaniano and Punahou School AD and former Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Tita Ahuna. 

The other four members of the official search committee are Spectrum Sports Analyst and former UH men’s basketball player Artie Wilson, President & COO of aio Susan Eichor, UH faculty athletic representative Scott Sinnett and Director of the Hawai’i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism James Tokioka. The announcement also mentioned that an “ex officio advisory group of UH Mānoa student-athletes and staff will also be named soon and will have the opportunity to meet with finalists to provide input on the selection.” 

UH President Wendy Hensel said in the announcement: 

“As Hawai’i’s only NCAA Division I program, UH Mānoa athletics plays a crucial role in our state’s sports culture and economy. We need an athletics director who is not only a strategic and dynamic leader but also a strong fundraiser who can navigate the many challenges ahead, including the lack of a Division I football stadium.” 

With the creation of the 10-person search committee, meetings will begin this month while national firm Parker Executive Search works with UH to “facilitate the hiring process.” The firm plans to employ strategies like listening sessions in March and April to gather feedback from the local community to help develop position descriptions and candidate profiles. 

Hensel also acknowledged the importance of acting with urgency while still adhering to a strong, thorough process, mentioning working with a “tight timeline” to fill the position no later than the end of the summer. The new president also made note of her appreciation of a partnership with Governor Josh Green and Mayor Rick Blangiardi and mentioned that the two would bring unique insight and support through the search. 

The school has had Lois Manin as acting athletics director since Dec. 2, filling into the role in an interim basis and steering the ship after outgoing president David Lassner terminated the job status of former AD Craig Angelos in the waning days of November. The school cited performance issues for the reasoning behind Angelos’ sudden removal, a move that sent shockwaves through the local scene and caused some national stir. 

In 18 months on the job, Angelos had been tasked with helping navigate the school through an ever-changing collegiate sports landscape with realignment at the top of the list and an impending apparel decision for the school. The BYU alum helped deliver the majority of the school’s athletic programs into the Mountain West, a conference already housing the Rainbow Warriors’ football team, and brought an agreement between Nike and UH to the doorstep of being done before being let go. 

Since Angelos’ departure, Hawai’i has announced the new apparel deal with Nike while Manin extended football head coach Timmy Chang and women’s volleyball head coach Robyn Ah Mow. 

Among the many things for the new athletics director to handle upon arrival will be decisions after the upcoming final judgement of the House vs. NCAA class action lawsuit settlement on April 7, the media rights deal with the Mountain West and continuing to find new streams of revenue for the school to compete and survive in the changing college landscape. The hope from Hensel is to finalize the position no later than August, with eyes on wrapping up the process sooner if possible.