MEDIA RELEASE
Dr. Luoluo Hong, vice chancellor for student affairs and acting athletic director for the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has announced  the search for the university’s permanent athletic director is resuming.
With two of the three finalists withdrawing their candidacy following campus visits for the top position in Vulcan Athletics, the search committee will continue its work into the spring 2009 semester.Â
“The most recent anticipated start date for a new director had been March 1,†said Hong, who also serves as search committee chairwoman. “That timeline has now been revised.”
The three finalists were: Paul Batchelder, senior associate athletic director at the University of North Texas; Dr. R. Wayne Edwards, sports committee chairman for the Camden Yards Sports & Entertainment Committee and former Towson University Athletic Director; and Bob Wagner, athletic director for Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii Campus and former head football coach for UH Manoa.
Wagner pulled out in early January; it’s unclear which of the other two candidates also withdrew. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
“Naturally, the coaches and staff, as well as the broader community who have been supporting Vulcan Athletics since Day 1, are disappointed,†she added. “However, we will continue our search efforts. We hope now to bring a new leader on board by July 1 so that this individual can help jumpstart us for the fall sports season.Â
“The search process has given the campus a chance to reflect more extensively on what is needed in the new AD in order for him or her to be successful,†she explained. “We are extending the search process to ensure that we make the very best decision in the end for UH-Hilo.â€Â
Hong added, “All of the members of the search committee are committed to engaging in a thorough and fair search process until we are sure we have found the right person for this critically important job.†Â
In the meantime, Hong will continue to serve as acting athletic director in addition to her role as a vice chancellor for student affairs.
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