AD Search Committee named

About the search committee, Hinshaw said:
"The members of the search committee were chosen for their understanding of the relationship between UH athletics and our community and the needs of a Division I athletics program." (HA, HSB)

HA Note: "University of Hawai'i-Manoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw will chair a nine-member search committee to recommend a new athletic director, the school announced yesterday. In addition to Hinshaw, the other members are: Debra Ishii, executive assistant to the chancellor; Mitchell Kaaialii, assistant vice president, First Hawaiian Bank; Dee Jay Mailer, CEO Kamehameha Schools; Don Murphy, owner of Murphy's Bar & Grill; Peter Nicholson, English professor and UH faculty representative; Dave Shoji, UH women's volleyball coach; Christina Stidman, president, Associated Students of UH-Manoa; and John Tsui, chair of Towne Realty Development. Kaaialii is a former UH offensive lineman (1989-91)."

HSB Note: "The committee will meet next week. It will recommend a candidate for approval by the Board of Regents. Hinshaw said earlier UH wants to have a new AD in place by the middle of next month to replace Herman Frazier, who was dismissed last month.

Hawaii Bowl executive director Jim Donovan joined the list of known applicants for the job yesterday. "Yes, I applied (Wednesday)," the former UH associate AD said.

Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya and Kamehameha-Hawaii athletic director Bob Wagner also told the Star-Bulletin that they have applied.

Carl Clapp is serving as interim AD, and has also applied for the permanent post.

Hilo Community College chancellor Rockne Freitas is believed to be among the leading candidates, but declined comment yesterday.

Another possible candidate, San Jose State football coach Dick Tomey, had not returned a phone messages left for him earlier this week."

HA Note: "The early read is that interim athletic director Carl Clapp, already the biggest winner in the athletic department this year, has the most reason to be encouraged. With just under two years at UH and little known outside of Manoa until Frazier was dismissed, Clapp appears to have won Hinshaw's confidence with his handling of things at the Sugar Bowl and thus the interim appointment and a doubling of his salary to $227,807.

Rockne Freitas, an 11-year NFL veteran who was associate athletic director at UH in the 1980s and now serves as Hawai'i Community College Chancellor, would seem to have some following on the committee, though not as much as he could have had under membership that had been rumored.

Ultimately, the one with the most on the line in the AD sweepstakes is Hinshaw. The next AD will be her call and she clearly wants it that way."