New athletic director gets 'dream job' at UH

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i athletic director Hugh Yoshida, left, who retires in December when his contract expires, gives a few pointers to his successor, Herman Frazier. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser Herman Ronald Frazier Age: 47 Born: Philadelphia Marital status: Engaged to Caroline Beal Education: Arizona State AD experience: University of Alabama-Birmingham athletic director from Aug. 22, 2000. (Resigned on Thursday). Other experience: Moved from graduate assistant with Arizona State track program to assistant director of events and facilities, director of athletic facilities, assistant director of operations, associate director of athletics and then senior associate athletic director for business and operations, a job he held from 1996-2000; Managed a $24 million budget at Arizona State and oversaw a $40 million facilities improvement project. Athletic achievements: Won gold medal (4x400 relay) and bronze (4x100 relay) at 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal; also member of 1980 Olympic team; Eight-time All-American in track and field, helping the Sun Devils win NCAA title in 1977.

Frazier, 47, was introduced at UH's Bachman Hall as the successor to Hugh Yoshida, 62, who retires in December.

Frazier, a native of Philadelphia, excelled in track at Arizona State, where he also began his career in athletics administration. He called his new position "the dream job."

"That's why there were so many candidates who were involved in the (candidate) pool," he said. "It is a dream job with great potential."

Frazier, who received a three-year contract, officially starts Aug. 1. His annual salary will be $210,000.

Frazier resigned from the University of Alabama-Birmingham Thursday — 20 months into a three-year contract that, he said, did not include a buyout clause. Yesterday, he addressed two issues involving his former employer: the $7.5 million deficit in the athletic department and a multi-million dollar lawsuit stemming from a sexual abuse case involving athletes.

Frazier said the UAB athletic department has been operating in a deficit since it started Division I-A football seven years ago. He said he is responsible for the UAB fiscal year of September 2001 to October 2002, which will show the deficit reduced by $1.1 to $1.2 million.

As for the lawsuit, Frazier said he was not told of the alleged incidents until four months after he got to UAB. Reports said the incident started several months before Frazier took over the job.

Although he had been criticized for the budget deficit, Frazier said: "I was not looking for a job when Eastman & Beaudine called."

UH hired Eastman & Beaudine to screen potential candidates for the school's selection committee.

It appears that Frazier's international connections were crucial in his hiring.

"... (But) it is his experience, I think, as an Olympian that was a deciding factor for so many reasons," UH president Evan Dobelle said. "First, it seems that an athlete of that level is a statement of character. You don't win bronze, silver and gold medals unless you know how to be dedicated and to live with purpose. His experience since then has given him exposure in athletics on an international scale that will enable him to create an increased international profile for University of Hawai'i athletics, especially in Asia."

Dobelle said UH has the capability to develop a fan base on "both sides of the Pacific."

"We need someone who can lead without limits," he said.

Frazier, captain of Arizona State's 1977 national championship team and the NCAA 400-meter champion, won a gold medal in the 4x400 relay and a bronze in the 400 dash at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. He has remained active in the Olympics, serving as a vice president of the United States Olympic Committee since 1996. Frazier said his involvement with the Olympics should not interfere with his new job.

"If something gets in the way, we have to talk about that because our No. 1 priority has to be this university," he said.

Frazier, who graduated from Arizona State with a degree in political science in 1977, also is active in other collegiate organizations. He is on the NCAA Certification Committee, which monitors programs to see if they are complying with NCAA policies. Ironically, he was scheduled to evaluate UH in January.

"Now, that will change," he said, laughing.

Frazier praised Yoshida, who has been UH's athletic director since 1993.

"So we know what the bar and where the bar has been set and what we have to do now is continue to take that bar and move it to the next step," Frazier said. "It could not be done without the leadership that Hugh has provided to the program over the years."

First-year baseball coach Mike Trapasso said he had heard about Frazier through Arizona State baseball coach Pat Murphy.

"Coming from a program like Arizona State, where he's spent so many years, he knows baseball," Trapasso said. "Our mutual friend at Arizona State said he's a great supporter and a great person first and foremost. He's a guy I'll really enjoy working for."

UH men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton said Frazier made a good first impression.

"I thought he spoke well," Wilton said. "He was direct, he didn't try to answer things that he shouldn't. He's here brand new and ready to roll up his sleeves and go to work.

"He's right," Wilton added. "There's a lot of potential here, a lot of great things can happen and we're hopeful he can achieve a lot his goals."

Frazier, who was accompanied to yesterday's conference by fiancee Caroline Beal, said he will stay here through Monday before returning to Alabama. He said he has a house to sell there and needs to settle some business before returning to Hawai'i. He said he may return before Aug. 1.