Following a nationwide search, new University of Hawai‘i president Wendy Hensel has selected the school's next athletics director.
Matt Elliott, UCLA's former senior associate athletic director for internal operations and most recently the senior director of policy and public affairs at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, emerged as Hensel's pick. Hensel took to social media to announce the decision on Thursday morning.
The move is pending Board of Regents approval ahead of a special meeting on June 16. If approved, Elliott will officially begin no later than July 1. His five-year contract would begin with a salary of $425,000.04 with performance-based incentives.
“I’m excited to welcome Matt, with his extensive experience in Division I athletics and strong roots in Hawaiʻi, to the UH ʻohana,” Hensel said in a press release. “Our student-athletes, coaches, staff and dedicated fans will find Matt to be an exceptional leader with the passion and expertise to elevate UH athletics and guide us through the complex challenges facing collegiate sports today.”
“I am honored to join UH at such a pivotal time in college athletics, and I want to thank President Hensel and the selection committee for their dedication, thoughtful leadership and the trust they’ve placed in me,” Elliott said. “I am committed to leading a program that reflects the pride and excellence of our local community. It will be a privilege to partner with our student-athletes, coaches and fans to chart an ambitious and unified path forward.”
Elliott, who originally hails from Framingham, Mass., earned his undergraduate degree from Amherst College, then earned his JD from the Northwestern School of Law.
Elliott moved to Hawai‘i in 2005 after law school and became a clerk for U.S. district court judge Alan C. Kay. It was in the Islands that Elliott met his wife, Allison, an O‘ahu native and Punahou alumna.
“Hawaiʻi holds a truly special place in our hearts, and it was important to us to raise our son here,” Elliott said. “This is home for our family, and it is inspiring to serve a place and a community we love so much. I’ve followed the UH program closely throughout my time at UCLA and HCF, and have always admired the passion of the fans. The Rainbows have one of the most loyal followings in the country, and UH teams represent the very best of Hawaiʻi.”
UH says more than 110 applications were submitted, with about half meeting the minimum requirements. A 10-person search committee, along with Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search, vetted and narrowed the listed of candidates down. The finalists also met with Gov. Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
Among the highlights of Elliott's time at UCLA was spearheading the transition of the Bruins from the Pac-12 to Big Ten Conference, furthering the school's national brand and giving the athletics program a solidified home amongst uncertainty in the ever-changing college landscape.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
