New UH athletic director starts Monday, aims to tackle Aloha Stadium, conference changes

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A new era for the University of Hawaii’s athletic program is set to begin Monday.

Matt Elliot was unanimously confirmed by the University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents on June 16. He will officially take over the university’s athletic program Monday.

One of his main focuses will be the future of Aloha Stadium.

“I do know absolutely to be a successful Division 1 program, we need a permanent stadium for sure,” Elliot said. “That has to happen, so I will be an advocate for that and support that on behalf of the department.”

Of the over 100 applicants, Elliot became university president, Wendy Hensel’s top pick after a months-long search.

“The more I talk to Matt, the more impressed I am, and I think that’s something that’s not always true in this day and age,” she said, “somebody who both has the ideas and strategies and will be a true team player and partner to me.”

Previously, Elliot was an administrator with the University of California, Los Angeles, and has more than a dozen years working in D1 athletics.

He assisted in UCLA’s move from the Pac-12 to the Big 10, and that experience will come in handy when a majority of UH teams move to the Mountain West Conference next July.

Elliot has a multi-year contract with a base salary of $425,000.