Posted on: Sunday, May 19, 2002

Rainbow Wahine coach Smart resigns

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Shari Smart, who started the University of Hawai'i water polo program in 1997, resigned last week, citing the need to spend more time with her growing family.

UH senior woman administrator Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano said the school would start a national search this week. She hopes to name a replacement by Aug. 1.

"We're going to miss Shari," Moniz said. "She did a wonderful job — coached four years, started and developed the program, put it into the Top 10 and sustained us there. We want to thank her for her hard work and dedication — her care and devotion to the program."

Smart basically was given "keys to an empty office" when she started. UH finished fourth in the nation its first collegiate season (1998) and has been ranked ever since.

Smart gave birth to her third child in January and took maternity leave this season. Assistant Cindy Rote, who has been with Smart from the beginning, guided UH to a 14-15 record and No. 11 national ranking. Rote is interested in the full-time head coaching position and has Smart's support.

Hawai'i believes it can attract intriguing candidates. The program is fully funded, successful and is an ideal water polo location. UH has started contacting people who have interest, here and on the Mainland.

"Everybody we can think of," Moniz said. "We want to have a good pool of candidates. And Cindy (Rote) will be in the pool."

Two of the game's most well-known figures have Hawai'i ties.

Maureen O'Toole, considered the greatest female player ever, attended UH on a swimming scholarship in the '80s. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area now and was the keynote speaker at the Rainbow Wahine 30th anniversary Celebration Dinner earlier this month. She has often indicated interest in returning here to coach.

Three-time U.S. Olympic goalie Chris Duplanty is a Punahou graduate and helped coach the U.S. women at the Sydney Olympics. The Americans, with Duplanty and O'Toole, captured the silver medal.

Moniz gave Smart until this month to make her decision. Smart said it took that long. Her infant daughter helped make up her mind.

"The baby made me realize how fast the kids were growing." Smart said. "I didn't want to miss any more of it. I had looked back with regret and and I didn't want to regret anymore."

Still, leaving was tough.

"One of the things I felt was part of the job was to be a role model for these young women i show them that you can have a career and a family," Smart said. "I don't want this to be seen as a failure. The lesson I learned is that you can have it all, just not all at once."