UH Sports Circle of Honor
Hugh Yoshida became the first Athletics Director of Japanese-American descent in Division I athletics and spent nearly a decade as AD from 1993-2002. During his tenure, he was responsible for expanding the number of sports programs from 16 to 19; doubling the department's operating budget to $17 million; and spearheading the development of a six-year gender equity plan. In addition, he was instrumental in the funding of the Nagatani Academic Center while outsourcing the department's academic services to the College of Arts and Sciences, both of which saw the immediate rise in academic success of UH's student-athletes. His vision to expand the University's reach through television and radio resulted in the school's first million-dollar radio contract and expansive TV coverage throughout the country. Numerous facility upgrades were completed under his supervision including the completion of the Stan Sheriff Center and Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
