Top booster cuts university funding over shocking athletics ouster

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One day after the abrupt firing of University of Hawaii athletics director Craig Angelos, questions remain on exactly why he was suddenly let go.

The decision has upset many UH supporters and they’re making their feelings known.

Longtime UH supporter and businessman Mike Kawazoe founded the Rainbow Collective in April of last year as a way to raise funds for the department and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money for student-athletes.

In that time, the collective raised over $1 million, and Kawazoe applauds Angelos’ work in generating revenue and securing successful business ventures for the program.

He says he was shocked at the firing and says no one from the university has reached out to him explaining the decision.

Related post: University of Hawaii abruptly fires athletics director Craig Angelos after 18 months

“I think that if there was an egregious reason for this to occur, I think that everyone would get on board and say we understand why this move was made. It’s been crickets,” he said.

“If you’re using performance as the excuse, that makes zero sense from anyone close to the program,” said Kawazoe.

Kawazoe said while the collective will still donate funds for individual student-athletes and NIL opportunities, he will personally no longer donate any money directly to the university.

“We’re at a critical juncture here as all of these moving parts are going on and transitioning with deals on the table,” he said. “The ink on the paper is not signed yet and details to be worked out. It’s a critical time. The timing could not be worse.”

Learn more: Student-athletes, sports community incensed over ousting of UH athletics director

Attorney Jeff Portnoy is the former athletics committee chair for the university’s Board of Regents. He says this kind of sudden dismissal shows dysfunction, and can damage a program for years.

“It’s just another nail in what has been, unfortunately, the building of a coffin and under what circumstances, can Hawaii maintain a Division I football program when you have this kind of discord, which is being played out not only locally, but nationally? No one can say it’s a good thing,” he said.

The university has had five athletics directors since 2008. When the search for Angelos’ replacement begins early next year, Portnoy is worried that the current state of the department will ward off any serious candidates.

“How do you run a Division I football program with not having the NIL money? With not having the institutional money and playing on a football field where you’re lucky if you get 10,000 people? I don’t know who would take the job, but I’m sure there’s somebody out there that will think about it.”

We have yet to hear from UH President David Lassner on the decision, but he will be speaking with the Board of Regents Thursday at 9 a.m. at UH Manoa.

The public is also welcome to submit testimony.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.