HONOLULU – It was announced on Wednesday, May 24, that Dr. Spencer Chang will be stepping down from his position as volunteer coach overseeing the pole vaulters for the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine track and field program. He is seeking to spend more time with family, and will also expand his role as an orthopedic consultant on the Hawai'i Athletics medical team. He was the first pole vault-specific coach for the women's track program.

"I want to thank the University of Hawai'i and Carmyn James for bringing me on to coach the pole vault at this level," Chang said. "It has been a fantastic journey and I will miss it a lot. I'd also like to thank the other vault coaches who have helped me through these years including KC Lostetter, Camie Kohashi, Carly Fitzpatrick and Tiziana Ruiz Dominguez.

 

HAWAI'I POLE VAULT INDOOR TOP 10
Tiziana Ruiz Dominguez (2016)	4.01m/13-01.75
Jessica Custance (2008)	3.86m/12-08.00
Amber Kozaki (2016)	3.86m/12-08.00
Patricia Gauthier (2008)	3.83m/12-06.75
Samantha Weaver (2008)	3.83m/12-06.75
Cecilila Durocher (2012)	3.82m/12-06.25
Robyn Morioka (2012)	3.82m/12-06.25
Camie Kohashi (2013)	3.79m/12-05.25
Juli Powell (2014)	3.60m/11-09.75
Tiara Krismunando (2006)	3.60m/11-09.75
HAWAI'I POLE VAULT OUTDOOR TOP 10
Tiziana Ruiz Dominguez (2016)	4.12m/13-6.25
Patricia Gauthier (2008)	4.06m/13-03.00
Jessica Custance (2008)	4.00m/13-01.50
Cecilia Durocher (2012)	3.92m/12-10.25
Amber Kozaki (2017)	3.92m/12-10.25
Robyn Morioka (2014)	3.91m/12-10.00
Camie Kohashi (2013)	3.90m/12-09.50
Samantha Weaver (2008)	3.85m/12-07.50
Juli Powell (2013)	3.80m/12-05.50
Amanda Bowers (2017)	3.80m/12-05.50

"Many mahalos to the coaches whom I got to work with including Andy McInnis, Gerry Lindgren, Althea Belgrave, Garrett Collier, Robert Weir, Leslie Coons, Tim Boyce and Joshua Aydlette. To the staff, trainers and of course Sharon Sakamoto, I will miss you all dearly. Finally, thank you to the athletes. You were the reason I did this in the first place. I am so proud of you, and will always be a fan."

A dual-fellowship orthopedic sports medicine physician who treats both upper and lower extremity injuries at Straub Medical Center, Chang spent 14 seasons guiding the Rainbow Wahine vaulters. His experience has been invaluable, leading three different athletes to reach school record marks in both the indoor and outdoor record books. His most recent disciple, Tiziana Ruiz Dominguez graduated this spring with ownership of both the indoor (13-01.75/4.01m) and outdoor (13-6.25/4.12m) records. He also oversaw the career trajectory of Jessica Custance (2006-09) and Patricia Gauthier (2004-07).

In fact, each of the top 10 Hawai'i pole vault performances in both the indoor and outdoor event represent athletes coached by Chang.

Under Chang's tutelage, four Rainbow Wahine pole vaulters qualified for an NCAA Regional meet, highlighted by three-time participant Custance. Ruiz Dominguez was the most recent participant, appearing in the 2016 outdoor NCAA Preliminary Round in Lawrence, Kan. His athletes have also earned eight conference championship medals, including 2009 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Champion Custance.

An alumnus of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Chang completed his medical residency at UH and joined the Rainbow Wahine staff on a more full-time basis under James for the 2004 season. After coaching pole vaulters from 1992-2000 at his prep alma mater, 'Iolani School, Chang got his tenure with the UH vaulters on a part-time basis from 2000-02. In addition, he has served the USA Track & Field Pole Vault Development staff as a medical advisor since 2002.

Considered internationally as an expert in the pole vault, Chang has written multiple articles on the event, and has an instructional video entitled "Vault 2000" to his credit.

"Coach Spencer devoted a ton of time, energy and expertise to our track and field program over the past 14 years," James said. "His absence will be felt greatly, but I am super happy for him and his family now that they will get more time to spend together. I admire his decision and I wish him all the best!"