Brian McInnis

1 day ago | spectrumnews1.com | Brian McInnis

The University of Hawaii pledged transparency at the outset of its national search process for the next UH Manoa athletic director and tried to follow through on it at its conclusion. On Thursday, after it officially announced Hawaii Community Foundation officer and former UCLA athletics administrator Matt Elliott as the pick of UH President Wendy Hensel, the school provided a window into its monthslong efforts by making search committee co-chair Jack Tsui available to the media via video call.

2 days ago | spectrumnews1.com | Brian McInnis

University of Hawaii President Wendy Hensel made official her selection of Matt Elliott as the next UH Manoa athletic director in a system-wide email blast and subsequent news release on Thursday morning. Elliott, a former 13-year athletics administrator at UCLA who helped shepherd the Bruins into the Big Ten Conference, has been with the Hawaii Community Foundation as senior director of policy and public affairs since 2024.

2 days ago | spectrumnews1.com | Brian McInnis

Matt Elliott, the senior director of policy and public affairs at the Hawaii Community Foundation and a former UCLA athletics administrator, is University of Hawaii President Wendy Hensel’s pick to be the next UH Manoa athletic director, Spectrum News has learned from sources. An announcement from Hensel on a permanent replacement for Craig Angelos could come as soon as Thursday morning.

3 days ago | spectrumnews1.com | Brian McInnis

Panita Thanatharn, Long Beach State’s associate head softball coach, was announced Wednesday as the new University of Hawaii head coach, succeeding 34-year program leader Bob Coolen. It amounts to a decided shift for the program as it brings in a veteran assistant from a chief conference rival over the in-house choice pushed by Coolen, whose retirement following the 2025 season was written into his final contract. Acting athletic director Lois Manin announced the decision in a news release.

5 days ago | spectrumnews1.com | Brian McInnis

KAPOLEI, Hawaii — They call it golf’s Longest Day for a reason. Thirty-six high-leverage holes await those with the gumption to compete for a spot in the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont at a final qualifier. It is a test of stamina and mental fortitude as amateurs and local pros attempt to seize a berth at a major at the expense of a PGA Tour professional. Ten of the 13 regional qualifiers take place Monday, including at Valencia Country Club in Valencia, Calif.