The UH Board of Regents today approved the selection of Herman Frazier as athletic director. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

UH athletic directors (Name, tenure) • Otto "Proc" Klum, 1921-38 • Eugene "Luke" Gill, 1940-41 • Theodore "Pump" Searle, 1941-42 • Francois d' Eiscu, 1946-47 • Iwao Miyake (i), 1947-49 • Thomas Kaulukukui, 1949-51 • Archie Kodros, 1951-52 • Hank Vasconcellos, 1952-60 • Frederick Haehnien Jr.,1960-61 • Edward Chui,1961-62 • Young Suk Ko, 1962-66 • Phil Sarboe, 1966-67 • Robert Martin, 1967-68 • Paul Durham, 1968-75 • Edward Chui (i), 1975-76 • Ray Nagel, 1976-83 • Stan Sheriff, 1983-93 • Hugh Yoshida, 1993-2002 • Herman Frazier, 2002 (i) interim

The university's Board of Regents, without discussion, approved Frazier's hiring at a meeting at Windward Community College.

Frazier, 47, will succeed Hugh Yoshida, 62, who earlier announced he would retire at the end of the year after holding the position since 1993. Frazier got a three-year deal at $210,000 per year.

Meanwhile, an increase on the surcharge of UH football season tickets also was approved by the regents today. Ticket holders can expect to pay up to $50 more for premium seats at Aloha Stadium.

Frazier said he informed the University of Alabama-Birmingham yesterday of his resignation as athletic director. He had been the school's AD for 20 months of a three-year contract worth $175,000 annually.

The regents convened yesterday for a number of private committee meetings, including one on personnel. That committee voted to recommend Frazier to the full board.

"I'm happy the (personnel and legal affairs) committee will make that recommendation," Frazier told The Advertiser last night.

Frazier was to be introduced as the Manoa campus' athletic director at a press conference today at UH's Bachman Hall.

Frazier leaves UAB in the midst of a $7.5 million deficit and a multi-million dollar lawsuit stemming from a sexual abuse case involving a number of athletes. UH selection committee chairman David McClain said Frazier was questioned thoroughly on both subjects.

"We thought he gave a good accounting of what happened," McClain said.

Although Yoshida still has six months left, the school acted quickly in seeking his replacement.

"It was a thorough process, but an expedited process," UH vice president Paul Costello said.

Costello said UH put its confidence in the search firm of Eastman & Beaudine. He said the firm sought 50 candidates before recommending 11 to UH's search committee. Costello would not reveal the number of final candidates but said Frazier was the only one asked to visit Hawai'i.

"Bob Beaudine (president of the firm) is one of the most highly respected sports recruiting firms in the country," Costello said. "I felt he did a thorough analysis of who was available among potential candidates."

Yoshida said he met with Frazier briefly yesterday but did not want to comment on his role when Frazier starts in August. Yoshida said it might deal with transition but wanted to discuss that with Frazier later.

Associate athletic director Jim Donovan said he will take some time off next month to evaluate his plans. Donovan had been interested in becoming UH's athletic director.

"The important thing is the future of UH athletics and that's always been my concern, to continue to improve UH athletics," Donovan said. "I'm sure that Herman will continue to do that very well and bring us to the next level, where everyone wants us to go."

Donovan used the late Gov. John A. Burns' definition of "next level."

"To be a premiere Division I-A athletic program in the country," Donovan said. "That means consistency in all sports programs, success in the conference and NCAA tournaments. We've positioned ourselves (toward that goal) after this year. With Herman's connections and experience, I fully expect that's the direction we will head."

Intermediate Court of Appeals Chief Judge James Burns, son of Gov. Burns, said Frazier must garner community support. Judge Burns is the president of the UH booster club, Koa 'Anuenue.

"We have a $15 million budget," he said. "If we want to be a first-class I-A program, we're talking about $30 million. He's got to organize it and get it done. It's not easy. We've been getting by all this time, but getting by just won't do it in the future. That will only last so long. If Hawai'i wants a program that's (the best) in Division I-A, he has to find ways to pay for it."