Maternity leave for UH's Smart

Advertiser Staff

Shari Smart, who started the University of Hawai'i water polo program four years ago and is closing on 100 victories, will take this season off, she said yesterday. Smart and her husband Jim are expecting their third child — and first girl — in January.

Smart said she would take leave the end of September or October, depending on when a temporary assistant can come in. Cindy Rote, Smart's assistant the past four years, will be interim head coach.

The Wahine finished fourth nationally their first year (1998) and have never been ranked outside the top 10. Smart's career record is 97-54.

Smart, a 1981 Kaiser High School graduate, has two sons — Jack, 11, and Jay, 9. She said yesterday that her plan "for now" is to come back next season.