UH student-athletes, supporters still seeking answers after Lassner’s remarks

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Outgoing University of Hawaii athletics director Craig Angelos did not attend Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting, but he had plenty of supporters there.
They included about roughly two dozen student-athletes who brought their concerns directly to university president David Lassner and the regents.
“It’s important to acknowledge the dismissal of Craig Angelos is not an isolated incident, but a reoccurring pattern of unilateral decision-making by the president that lacks transparency and accountability,” said former UH regent and student-athlete Abigail Mawae.
Student-athletes from a variety of teams, as well as program supporters made their case for the reinstatement of Angelos.
Among those in attendance was men’s volleyball middle blocker Kurt Nusterer.
He started an online petition in support of Angelos, which has already gained nearly 3,000 signatures, and he’s not done.
“In the coming weeks, I will ensure majority participation from every single sport on lower campus in the signing of the petition for the reinstatement of Craig Angelos as athletic director,” Nusterer said.
Like many in the public, students were looking for clarity on Lassner’s decision, but were noticeably frustrated during portions of his remarks.
“I frankly thought it was pretty terrible,” said James Whitworth, a junior on the UH golf team. “He didn’t say a single reason for the decision, only blamed other people, talked about the people supporting his decision. I don’t know who would have supported his decision outside of a couple of co-workers he likes.”
Track and field senior captain Jessica Mackenzie was one of several testifiers who commended Angelos for his work in listening to student-athlete concerns and making it a point to meet regularly.
“Craig has built such a close relationship with my team especially and has made such an impact,” Mackenzie said. “Someone who has stood up for us through numerous occasions and numerous different issues.”
Key department booster Michael Kawazoe, founder of the Rainbow Collective fundraising group, said Lassner’s remarks were “not good enough.”
He said, “I think there’s a lot more questions than answers there.”
Kawazoe said the controversy caused him to stop directing money to the department.
“It doesn’t change my stance on things,” he said. “Yeah, there’s ways I can support student athletes without supporting UH and I will continue to do that.”
Students were hoping their words would help sway Lassner to reconsider, but he made it clear that the decision is final.
“I have never done anything, but act in a way that I truly believe to be in the best interest of the university that I love and this action was no different,” Lassner said.
Board Chair Gabriel Lee praised Lassner for making the tough call and not leaving a problem for the incoming president. He said the regents have received some information not available to the public, but wouldn’t predict if regents will intervene.
“Really up to the regents, but we have executive session and there’s going to be if there’s any more questions they can bring it up,” Lee told Hawaii News Now.
He pointed out that the university personnel system gives the president the authority to hire and fire managers without regents’ approval.
“It is the decision of the president, and you know there’s been some comment that he’s only here for short while, but we have confidence in him,” Lee said.
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