Posted on: Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Char resigns as Iolani girls coach

Advertiser Staff

Greg Char, who coached Iolani School to four state girls cross country championships, has resigned after accepting a position as a data analyst at Campbell High School.

"It was a family decision," said Char, who has been the Raiders' head coach since 1991. "It has nothing to do with not wanting to coach ... or my desire to be a coach ... at Iolani."

Char, a counselor at Lincoln Elementary School in Makiki, said he had been seeking a job closer to his home in 'Ewa Beach, where he lives with his wife, Barbara, and 19-month-old son, Ashton. He said he was offered the position at Campbell on Sunday, told Iolani co-athletic director Carl Schroers Monday and announced his decision to team members yesterday.

"It was really hard when I met with the girls today," said Char, citing the relationships he had built with his runners. "It was very emotional."

Char's teams won five Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles and the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association championship in 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Char also was one of the founders of the Iolani Invitational Cross Country Meet, which annually draws some of the nation's top teams and runners.

Char said he will coach the girls and boys cross country teams at Campbell.

Iolani is accepting applications for girls cross country head coach. Resumes may be sent to the school's athletic department at 563 Kamoku St., Honolulu, HI 96826, or faxed to (808) 943-2399.