When David Matlin was getting his master’s degree at the University of Hawaii, he was credited with helping to drive ticket sales as an information officer.
When David Matlin was getting his master’s degree at the University of Hawaii, he was credited with helping to drive ticket sales as an information officer.
In his next job at UH, he’ll be tasked with leading the school out of its financial doldrums. As was widely expected, Matlin was named athletic director Wednesday in a news conference in Honolulu.
“This is honestly my dream opportunity and I understand that there are many challenges ahead,” Matlin, Executive Director of the Hawaii Bowl and Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, said in a school release. “I am confident that with the support of the athletics department staff, UH leadership, and the entire state, we will be successful. I humbly ask the people of Hawaii, and UH fans all over the world, for their support to ensure that UH Athletics not only survives, but thrives.”
School chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman touted Matlin as a local business leader with more than 20 years of sports management experience in Hawaii.
“I believe, during these challenging times for UH Athletics, that David has the proven executive leadership experience, vision and passion to stabilize and grow the program,” Bley-Vroman said. “We were searching for someone with the ability and agility to lead us through this complex and important period in the evolving national collegiate athletics landscape, and I am confident that we have found that person in David.”
The recommended salary for the new AD will go before the UH Board of Regents for final approval at the April 16 meeting.