UH names Sadler Much of Tom Sadler's background is in facilities, and he is known as a facilitator.
new associate AD
The 42-year-old will handle
day-to-day operations
of the athletic departmentBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comSadler, Hawaii's new associate athletic director, is no stranger to raising and working with big-time money and helping to make sure major athletic events run smoothly.
While at Arizona State, Sadler was instrumental in implementing a $41 million capital campaign for Arizona State and helped eliminate a $1 million budget shortfall. He has also worked on projects for nearly $300 million in facility improvements at ASU.
Sadler has helped ASU partner with the NFL and the NCAA, hosting events including the Super Bowl and national championship football games.
Sadler, 42, starts work at UH on Feb. 3, Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier said yesterday. Frazier hired Sadler as an administrative assistant 19 years ago at ASU.
"I knew him and his background, so that helps," Frazier said. "But more importantly I wanted someone who would fit in this environment. I think Tom will be able to fit."
Sadler said he has only been to Hawaii twice; the first time was with the Arizona State football team in 2000 for the Aloha Bowl, and the second was for the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl last month, when he interviewed for the job he starts a week from Monday.
"I'm very fortunate," Sadler said. "Today I asked myself, 'When am I going to wake up?' This is some kind of dream job for me."
This time, Frazier hired Sadler from among 18 applicants with the help of a search committee.
Sadler replaces Jim Donovan, who left UH to be the executive director of the Hawaii Bowl.
"My (first) challenge will be getting up to speed on all issues of how the community and school operate," Sadler said. "I want to get a comprehensive view of how everything works."
He is leaving the post of assistant athletic director for constituent relations at ASU, a position he assumed in 2002. After beginning his ASU career with two years as Frazier's assistant, he became event coordinator in 1985. In 1988 he was promoted to stadium manager, and then assistant athletic director of stadium management in 1997.
Frazier said day-to-day operations will be among Sadler's responsibilities at UH. He will supervise some sports, including baseball, and assume some of the paperwork load on Frazier's desk.
"He has administrative skill and served in a large department with a number of people reporting to him," Frazier said.
Sadler will also likely be involved in negotiations involving Aloha Stadium, considering his background.
"I would hope my expertise would be utilized along those lines," Sadler said. "My understanding is Herman has a good relationship with the stadium, but if he calls on me for my expertise in that area, I'd be happy to do so."
Sadler's salary will be roughly $100,000 a year, Frazier said, and his contract will be for one year.
Sadler is a 1983 graduate of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial/organizational psychology. He also has a master's degree in public administration from Arizona State, which he earned in 1994.
Sadler is originally from Kalamazoo, Mich. He is engaged to be married.
"My hobbies include anything outdoors," he said. "I enjoy playing golf, although I'm not very good at it."
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