Sadler saying aloha
to UH

Hawaii’s senior associate
athletic director departs

Tom Sadler is putting his career on ice.

The Hawaii senior associate athletic director is leaving UH to join a company that places minor league hockey teams and arenas in cities.

Sadler, 44, will oversee facility management as vice president of a new unit at 5-year-old Global Entertainment Corporation in Phoenix. The company also oversees areas such as marketing and construction of 5,000-seat arenas.

Sadler said his hockey background is limited to skating and pick-up games as a kid in Kalamazoo, Mich. But much of his professional expertise is in athletic facilities development and management.

Most of the teams and arenas are in the Southwest, except for a team in Youngstown, Ohio, Sadler said.

"It's a real attractive niche market with incredible potential," Sadler said. "I'm thrilled to be taking on this new challenge and excited about the career opportunity that Global Entertainment is providing me. However, I'm also saddened to be leaving a wonderful position at UH. The people of Hawaii have been outstanding to me and my family. ... I personally want to thank (UH athletic director) Herman Frazier."

Sadler, 44, has worked at UH since 2003 as Frazier's second-in-command. He was recently a finalist for the athletic director position at Montana.

Sadler's responsibilities at UH include overseeing internal day-to-day operations of the department, including ticketing and facilities management along with supervision of the men's volleyball, baseball, softball and cross country programs.

He starts his new job Sept. 12, and plans to remain at UH until the end of this month.

Sadler, who is married (Shellie) with two daughters (Chelsea and Shea), said leaving Hawaii was "the toughest decision of my life, and that says a lot."

"We are pleased for Tom and his family and we wish them well," Frazier said. "Tom made a difference during the 2 1/2 years he was with us here at the University of Hawaii. I have spoken to President (David) McClain and Chancellor (Denise) Konan and will start the search for a replacement immediately."