Posted on: Saturday, January 25, 2003

UH hires Sadler as new associate A.D.

Advertiser Staff

The University of Hawai'i has hired Thomas Sadler as associate athletic director, UH athletic director Herman Frazier announced yesterday.

Sadler, who was an assistant athletic director for constituent relations at Arizona State, begins at UH Feb. 3. Frazier said the position, similar to the contracts of most administrative positions, is for one year.

"I am deeply honored and incredibly excited with the opportunity to be part of the University of Hawai'i," Sadler said during yesterday's teleconference.

After learning he was hired, he recalled asking: "Am I going to wake up? Is this some kind of a dream?"

Frazier said Sadler will handle the day-to-day operations of the athletic department, as well as oversee some of UH's 19 sports. While the assignments have yet to be spelled out, it is believed Sadler will oversee baseball and some of the Olympic sports, Frazier said.

Frazier also said Sadler will assist in facilities management, as well as with the ticket office.

Sadler replaces Jim Donovan, who resigned last September to become the executive director of the ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl. Donovan also is expected to launch a sports consulting business this year.

Sadler, 42, had worked at Arizona State for 19 years. Frazier hired Sadler as an administrative assistant in 1983. In 1997, Frazier, who was ASU's No. 2 sports administrator at the time, promoted Sadler to assistant athletic director in the office of stadium management.

Sadler has professed an admiration for Frazier's "management style, his kind of professionalism."

Frazier said Sadler's duties still are being assessed. It has not been determined if Sadler will be involved in the budget or raising money.

It is believed UH will hire at least one more associate athletic director. UH had advertised for only one opening during the past two months.