Punahou athletic director Tom Holden, who oversees a program ranked by Sports Illustrated as No. 1 among 38,000 high schools across the nation, announced yesterday he will retire effective June 2009.

Holden, 61, has been Punahou's AD since 1998.

"It's been a wonderful ride, a great experience," Holden told The Advertiser. "It's just time now, to spend time with (wife) Kathy, spend time with family."

Holden first came to Punahou in 1985 from Ohio and taught fifth grade science and math that year, in addition to serving as offensive coordinator for the Buffanblu's JV football team. He became varsity head coach in 1992 but also was promoted to Summer School Director that year and stepped down as coach after the season to concentrate on administrative duties.

In 1998, Holden took over as athletic director, overseeing one of the nation's largest programs with almost 1,100 athletes on 114 teams at three levels — varsity, JV and intermediate. The department's administration includes associate athletic directors Kale Ane and Jeff Meister, and facilities coordinator Scott Metcalf.

"We all started together, and I want to emphasize that it's been a real team effort going forward," Holden said. "The team collaborates regularly, and if something is deemed worthy, the school will find a way to support the cause."

The Buffanblu won 16 team state championships last school year, out of a possible 32. But Punahou president James K. Scott said Holden has been instrumental in instilling other values throughout the department.

"Tom has helped shape our athletics program to reflect the values and vision of our school," Scott said in a school statement. "Our ultimate goal ... is to teach respect, responsibility, cooperation and humility through athletics."

Holden said a national search will be conducted to find a successor.

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com.