Frazier ready to move in

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

A University of Hawai'i Board of Regents personnel committee will recommend to the full board this morning the hiring of Herman Frazier as the Manoa campus' new athletic director.

Herman Frazier will be recommended to the UH Board of Regents today for the athletic director position. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Frazier said he informed 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. Frazier is expected to get a three-year deal at $180,000 per year.

Frazier, 46, will be introduced at a noon press conference today at UH's Bachman Hall. He will succeed Hugh Yoshida, 62, who earlier announced he would retire at the end of the year after holding the position since 1993.

The Regents will hold their public meeting this morning at Windward Community College, where it is expected to approve the hiring of Frazier. The Regents convened yesterday for a number of private committee meetings, including one on personnel.

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. 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 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."

Sports agent Leigh Steinberg said UH can attain "next level" status.

"The challenge for the incoming AD is enormous," he said. "Fund-raising is the key."

Intermediate Court of Appeals Chief Judge James Burns, son of the late governor John A. 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."

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