Cal AD Voices Support for UH AD Finalist

HONOLULU – The finalists for the University of Hawaii Athletics Director position are Ohio State University Senior Associate Athletic Director Ben Jay and University of California-Berkeley Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief Operating Officer Solly Fulp.

The two finalists were chosen from a field of over 150 applicants from the position.  Each has extensive experience operating within large budget athletic programs.

Fulp has worked in both the public and private sector recently.  He rejoined Cal last November after working for ISP Sports and IMG College for the past 3+ years.  The marketing and multimedia providing firm has a wide array of properties and services offered.

Fulp's role at Cal has him managing "both internal and external areas, overseeing marketing and business development efforts, the Athletic Ticket Office, event and game day management, and facilities and operations" according to his bio.

Cal Athletic Director Sandy Barbour voiced support for Fulp, telling john Crumpacker of sfchronicle.com "As an AD, anytime one of your colleagues has an opportunity to run their own department, you're thrilled for them.  Solly's a great administrator and he will be (a great) AD.  He's earned that chance.  If it's not Hawaii, it'll be another opportunity down the road.  He's done great work at Cal and I hope we have the opportunity to continue to work together, but I also want to help him reach his professional aspirations."

Jay, a native of Columbus Ohio, has been in his current position at the Ohio State University since 2006.  His areas of expertise are in business, finance, planning and execution of the schools massive operating budget.

His duties also include "overseeing the athletics business office, facility operations, event management, human resources, information technology and the OSU golf course and ice rink" according to the school's website.

The selection of the Athletics Director appears to be "on target" with the contracted target date of Thursday December 6^th, as set by Parker Executive Search, the firm contracted by UH to assist in the process.