Don Botelho was named the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's executive director today. Botelho named ILH
executive directorBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comHe officially accepted the position this morning, ILH president Tony Ramos said.
"I've got some big shoes to fill, but I'm pleased to be following a legend in Clay Benham," Botelho said. "I have great respect for the job that Clay did. He was the ILH."
The dean of high school football coaches in the state, Botelho led Pac-Five to Prep Bowl championships in 1982 and 1985. He was also one of four people who shared the league's administrative duties since Benham died last April. Benham was the league's top administrator as executive secretary for 32 years.
The ILH began looking for an executive director in January with the formation of a six-member search committee.
Among Botelho's duties are to make sure the league's policies are fair to all 25 ILH schools and to interface with the state's four other high school leagues.
Botelho will likely step down as football coach at Pac-Five in order to focus on his new duties. Current assistants Joe Onosai, Kip Botelho and Chris Bisho are possible replacements.
Botelho worked as an athletic director for 36 years, eight at Damien and 28 at Mid-Pacific before stepping down last year.
"I think my greatest strength is my experience as an athletic administrator in this league," he said. "I've been associated with the ILH for more than 30 years. I know where we've been, so I have a pretty good idea of where we need to go."
Botelho is also the state football coordinator for the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and a member of the National Federation of State High School Association's football committee. He was involved in arranging the doubleheader that brought California powers De La Salle and Long Beach Poly to Hawaii last September to face Saint Louis and Kahuku.
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