The University of Hawai'i is welcoming interim Manoa Chancellor Denise Konan, the school's first female representative on the Western Athletic Conference Board of Directors, as someone who can "bring a new perspective" to athletics.

Konan, who replaced Peter Englert on Monday, will be UH's highest-ranking representative to the WAC, and only the third woman from any institution on the board in the conference's 42-year history. She is also in line to become the first woman to chair the board next year.

In 27 years of membership, UH has been represented by either its president or Manoa chancellor, positions which had heretofore been held by men.

Konan, whose speciality is as an international trade economist, has been chairwoman of the UH-Manoa economics department and has served as interim assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs with her only college athletic background being as a self-described "UH fan" since 1993.

But UH officials say that can be a positive.

"Sometimes it is good when you don't know that much of the details or have a lot of the history because you bring a new perspective to the position," said Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, the athletic department's senior woman administrator. Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano is in line to be the senior member of the WAC Council, the conference's second-highest body, this year.

"I'm enthusiastic!" Konan said in an e-mail to The Advertiser. "Athletics is a fundamental part of our Manoa campus community. I look forward to working closely with (athletic director) Herman Frazier and the WAC this coming year."

She was introduced to the WAC yesterday during a conference call, Frazier said. Her first major meeting with the board will be next month when the board and council meet on the strategic plan.

Konan will serve as Manoa chancellor until July 31, 2006, McClain has said. UH's representative is due to chair the WAC board from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

"I look forward to working with her," said WAC commissioner Karl Benson. "I hear good things about her and I'm sure that she will be a strong advocate for the University of Hawai'i."

With three new members, Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State, joining the WAC July 1, "there are just a lot of new people in the WAC now, so I think it is the perfect time for her to be able to step in and help support our athletic department and the WAC," Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano said.