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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, June 23, 2005

Englert's departure leaves void in WAC

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i's decision not to extend Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert's contract yesterday means the school could soon be looking for its fifth representative on the Western Athletic Conference Board of Directors in six years.

Englert, who represented UH on the conference's highest governing body, was due to become WAC Board president in 2006-07. He hosted the WAC board of directors' annual meeting this month on Maui and was involved in last year's decision to add Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State.

David McClain, UH interim president, said an interim chancellor would be appointed by Aug. 1. No date was set for the naming of a permanent replacement.

Since 2000, Kenneth Mortimer, Deane Neubauer and Englert have represented UH on the WAC Board of Directors.

Athletic director Herman Frazier lauded Englert's contribution to UH athletics. "I have all the praise in the world for Peter Englert and what he has allowed us to do in athletics," Frazier said. "We had a bond and a partnership in everything we did and he will be sorely missed by us and our coaches."

Englert granted the athletic department a $1 million interest-free loan to help get through its last two years of deficits and has been a strong supporter of Frazier and the department.

Frazier and Englert, both hired by former UH President Evan Dobelle, started at UH the same day, Aug. 1, 2002.

Frazier said he will ask McClain to be involved in athletics. "Depending upon who is (named) the interim, I think the president still needs to be heavily involved," Frazier said. "I think when we bring in an interim chancellor and all that person is going to have to deal with on so many levels, he (McClain) needs to also be involved."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.