MEDIA RELEASE

Dr. Luoluo Hong

Three finalists have been selected for the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s permanent athletic director position, said Dr. Luoluo Hong, vice chancellor for student affairs and acting athletic director. The finalists began meeting last week with the university community and public.

“Members of the search committee have been hard at work developing screening criteria and reviewing applications since early October, shortly after the closing date for application submissions,” said Hong, who also serves as search committee chairman. “Vulcan athletics is at a crucial time in its forward momentum, and this search is probably one of the most important UH-Hilo has conducted.”

Paul Batchelder, senior associate athletic director at University of North Texas, and Dr. R. Wayne Edwards, sports committee chairman for the Camden Yards Sports & Entertainment Committee and former Towson University athletic director, already have visited the campus for personal interviews.

The final finalist – Bob Wagner, athletic director for Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii Campus and former head football coach for UH Manoa – has his interview scheduled for Jan. 22. 

More than 80 applications were received for the position of athletic director. The anticipated start date for the new incumbent is March 1, 2009.