ISLE FILE
UH athletics fills two positions

Advertiser Staff

The University of Hawai'i announced the hiring of two athletic department officials yesterday.

John McNamara was named new Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and Kevin Ishida was named new Assistant Athletics Director for Business Operations.

McNamara, 41, will oversee marketing, corporate development, television, sports information, licensing and merchandising, according to a school press release.

"I'm looking forward to working with members of the community, the university and the vast audience, and generate funds to support our student-athletes," said McNamara, who was Conference USA's associate commissioner for external affairs since 1999.

Ishida succeeds Michael Nagafuchi, who retired in December after 32 years. Ishida will be responsible for planning, implementation and execution of the athletic department's $18 million budget.

"Michael Nagafuchi set the foundation for the business office, and now, it is my job to build on it," said Ishida, who spent the past 3 1/2 years as the chief financial officer of the Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute.

BASEBALL

UHH splits with Kansas: Tom Henderson drove in three runs, and Johnny Dudoit and Scott McLaughlin each had two RBIs as Hawai'i-Hilo opened the season with a 7-3 victory over visiting Kansas yesterday.

Kansas used a six-run fifth inning to take the second game of the doubleheader, 9-5.

John Matson, a 6-foot-6 left-hander, worked five innings, allowing seven hits and one run to earn Hilo's victory.

"We put up some hits and runs," UHH coach Joey Estrella said. "Our pitchers are in such good shape, when we can go five innings in the first outing is a tribute to them and coach (Brendan) Sagara."

Dudoit batted 5 for 6 and Henderson went 5 for 7 in the doubleheader.

Estrella praised the pitching of reliever Austin Tobin, who gave up a run and two hits in one inning in the first game and did not allow a baserunner in 1á innings in the second.

BOXING

Penovaroff beaten: Hawai'i's Van Oscar Penovaroff lost in the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur Boxing Championships yesterday at Colorado Springs, Colo.

Penovaroff, of Kailua, Kona, was beaten by David Rodela, of Oxnard, Calif., 25-18, in a 132-pound bout.