Donovan to head Cal State Fullerton athletics

A turbulent period in University of Hawaii history ended Thursday when Jim Donovan was introduced as athletic director at California State University, Fullerton.

Donovan was widely recognized for his aloha shirts and conversational style during his 41⁄2 years as UH’s athletic director. He was removed from those duties in the aftermath of a botched Stevie Wonder concert last summer.

For the introductory news conference on the Cal State Fullerton campus, Donovan wore a suit that, his wife joked, had been kept in storage. The transformation was complete when Donovan put on an "F" cap and proclaimed, "Go Titans!"

It was a homecoming of sorts for Donovan, who was raised in Orange County. His father, James Donovan Jr., earned an engineering degree from CSUF in 1970.

Donovan agreed to a three-year contract. Financial terms were not announced. He goes on the payroll Dec. 31, and his first day in the office will be Jan. 2.

At the news conference, Donovan thanked CSUF officials for the opportunity. In a written statement circulated to Hawaii media, Donovan thanked UH officials, staff, coaches and supporters.

"Life takes a winding road," Donovan told the Star-Advertiser. "I recognized when I came in that it was tough times economically — not just for UH, but for the entire state. The attitude was don’t focus on the can’ts, focus on the cans. I think it’s one of the things I learned from (playing) athletics. No matter how tough things get, you still gotta dress up and play. I think there are a lot of positive things going forward for UH."

Donovan’s wife, Tracy Orillo-Donovan, and two adult children will remain in Hawaii for the near future. Orillo-Donovan is UH’s broadcast manager as well as a member of the advancement staff in Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple’s office. Jackie Donovan competes on the Wahine track and field team. Josh Donovan is a safety on the Warrior football team.

"I can definitely continue to be a UH football fan. There’s no conflict of interest (Fullerton doesn’t have a football team)," Donovan said. "I love UH and I love UH athletics, but I am a Titan now."

Donovan also leaves behind a $211,200 job that was created out of the fiasco of a fundraising concert that did not materialize.

Donovan and Rich Sheriff, manager of the Stan Sheriff Center, on July 11 were placed in a very public timeout — involuntary paid leave — when it was discovered that a $200,000 down payment wired from UH had been lost.

UH Vice President Rockne Frei­tas was named acting athletic director.

On Aug. 11 the leave was lifted, Donovan and Sheriff were cleared of wrongdoing for the missing deposit, and officials described UH as the victim of a scam. While Sheriff was restored as arena manager, Donovan was reassigned to a newly created marketing position in Apple’s office. Frei­tas remained acting athletic director.

Donovan’s five-year contract as athletic director was set to expire March 23. That contract called for an annual salary of $240,000, but Donovan took voluntary cuts that reduced his pay to $228,000 each of the past three years.

Donovan started his marketing job in August.

Later, documents showed that Donovan was appointed to the marketing job as part of a settlement in which he agreed not to sue the school for defamation over the forced leave.

The handling of the investigation into the concert debacle led to two state legislative hearings to which UH President M.R.C. Greenwood, Apple, Donovan and school regents were called to answer questions. There also was an audit into the athletic department’s finances.

Last month the Board of Regents upheld the findings of the audit.

Last week Ohio State official Ben Jay was named UH’s new athletic director.

In an email to the Star-Advertiser, Apple confirmed that the marketing job will remain. Apple also acknowledged that Donovan will not be owed any severance pay.

In parting, Donovan wrote, "UH is a great institution with an athletic department that means so much to our state and I want to thank the people of Hawaii for their support and encouragement over the years."

Donovan was a starting offensive lineman for UH for two years. He served as manager of what is now Les Mura­kami Stadium, marketing director and associate athletic director. As athletic director Hugh Yoshida’s top assistant, he was instrumental in hiring June Jones as head football coach in 1998.

Donovan also helped create the Hawai‘i Bowl in partnership with ESPN. In 2002 he resigned at UH to become the Hawai‘i Bowl’s executive director.

Two months after Herman Frazier reached a settlement to leave UH, Donovan was hired as athletic director in March 2008.

During his tenure, Donovan hired nine coaches, helped secure a $5 million donation from the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, led the imposition of a student fee benefiting athletics and formed ties with lawmakers.

"Jim Donovan gave his all to Hawaii, from his playing days to his time as athletic director," Gov. Neil Abercrombie wrote in an email to the Star-Advertiser. "He’ll take all that commitment and his talent to California State University Fullerton. That institution will be the beneficiary, and its students, faculty and supporters will come to appreciate him every bit as much as we do. He leaves with our aloha."

Freitas said, "I think he will do a good job."

Sheriff added, "I think everybody in the department is excited he has a chance to be back in athletics. It’s where he belongs. Hopefully, he’ll do good things for that program. We’re sad to see him leave the University of Hawaii. It’s nice for him to get an opportunity, even though it’s not with us."

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Star-Advertiser reporter Dave Reardon contributed to this report.