Twenty-two years after he beseeched the University of Hawaii athletic department for an opportunity to get his foot in the door, David A.K. Matlin was handed the keys to the place as its new director on Wednesday.
Matlin, a self-described "crier," reached for a tissue less than a minute into his introductory campus news conference. Then, he took a couple of long, deep breaths in an effort to choke back emotions as he thanked those who helped and mentored him in reaching what he termed "a dream opportunity."
Matlin, 50, whose persistence in writing letters and knocking on doors won him a $6-an-hour casual-hire marketing assistant position in 1993, is expected to earn more than $230,000 a year when terms of the deal are finalized.
A UH spokesman said Matlin’s contract will go to the Board of Regents for final approval since his salary will exceed the $150,000 threshold necessitating review. The listed salary range for the position on the UH website has been $225,000 to $315,000. The salary of Ben Jay, Matlin’s predecessor, is $294,000.
Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman, who introduced Matlin as "my selection," said it is common for UH executive positions to come with a five-year term, but declined to say whether that is what Matlin will receive.
Jay had a three-year deal —- with annual performance reviews — and a UH option for two more years. The two ADs previous to Jay, Jim Donovan and Herman Frazier, had initial five-year and three-year deals, respectively.
Matlin rose to assistant ticket manager in his tenure at UH (1993-99) before leaving for private business and, eventually, directing the Hawaii Bowl and Diamond Head Classic. He told the assembled coaches and athletic department staff members that he felt he was "rejoining the team."
But he also acknowledged that the 21-sport department, which has operated in the red much of the past decade, faces more severe financial challenges than it did in his first go-round, when UH often generated a surplus.
To meet the challenges, Matlin preached austerity and responsibility, saying that "stewardship is going to be my theme. We have resources, we have to steward them well. I really believe that if we steward the resources that we have, people will see that we will become a good investment and people will give us more."
Matlin said, "People in Hawaii are very generous and very giving, but everyone likes a good investment. So, we basically steward what we have because we have a lot."
He added, "A lot of people say the biggest problem is the budget deficit — well, that’s an issue. But I think the real issue is doing the best with what you have and growing it."
Bley-Vroman said he and Matlin "need to look at (UH’s resources) in greater detail. I mean, he needs to have all the resources that we can give him. On the other hand, times are tight. But I don’t expect the budget deficit to disappear (overnight). It will require some work, from the state, from public support, from the university … there are many pieces that need to be put together."
Three of the past four ADs — Jay, Donovan and Hugh Yoshida — were unanimous in saying UH needs to address a financial model that has long since ceased to keep up with the changing landscape. "A lot of people need to step up to the plate and help the program," Yoshida said. "The demands from travel and everything else have (escalated)."
Matlin was born in Hawaii when his father, Lew, was general manager of the Hawaii Islanders in the early 1960s. He grew up on the mainland. His middle names are Alexander and Kalakaua. He was named for Alexander Joy Cartwright, the father of modern baseball and Honolulu’s first fire chief, and the Merrie Monarch, whose birthday he shares.
Matlin graduated from the University of Michigan and worked for the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros before returning to Hawaii with his Honolulu-born wife, Dana.
With the Astros, he climbed from intern to an assistant vice president, becoming at age 26 the youngest sales director in Major League Baseball.
Matlin was recommended to Bley-Vroman last week as the choice of an eight-member search advisory committee. Matlin said he was offered the job on Tuesday.
Bley-Vroman, who at a couple of points draped his right arm over the AD’s shoulders and beamed, said the two have talked for about six hours.
"We share the same vision and belief in value and potential of the (UH) athletic program and all that athletics can add to the university and the entire state of Hawaii," Bley-Vroman said.
Bley-Vroman met with insurance executive Keith Amemiya, who was not interviewed by the committee. Bley-Vroman refused to discuss whether Amemiya or Hawaii News Now general manager Rick Blangiardi, who did not get an interview or meeting, failed to meet the minimum qualifications.
"The committee did a great job," Bley-Vroman repeated.
Two decades after Matlin knocked on his office door seeking a job, any job, in UH athletics, Donovan said, "I’m happy for David. He loves UH, he loves Hawaii and he brings a lot to the job. The school is fortunate to have him."
