HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i Athletics Director Matt Elliott announced the hiring of Phil Maben as the new Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations. Maben brings nearly two  decades of high-level intercollegiate athletics administration and development experience to the Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wahine.
 
In his new role, Maben will serve on the department's executive leadership team and oversee the department's external operations, including media relations, marketing, digital media, ticketing, fundraising, licensing, and corporate partnerships. He will be tasked with unifying the department's outward-facing strategies to drive revenue, maximize fan engagement, and elevate the Hawai'i Athletics brand locally, nationally, and internationally.
 
"We are so pleased to welcome Phil and his family to Mānoa," said Elliott. "Phil brings a wealth of experience from his time at Arizona and LSU, particularly in the areas of major gifts, capital campaigns, and external relations. As we navigate a rapidly changing college athletics landscape, his proven track record of engaging communities and driving revenue will be invaluable to the University of Hawai'i. He is the ideal fit to lead our external departments into this new era."
 
Maben arrives in Honolulu following a highly successful 13-year tenure at the University of Arizona, where he most recently served as the Associate Athletics Director for Development. During his time with the Wildcats, Maben was instrumental in identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts for the Wildcat Club. He played a pivotal role in multiple major capital campaigns: the $30 million Phase 1 of the McKale Center Renovation Project and the newly constructed $7.5 million Ginny Clements Academic Center, $66 million "4 +1 Campaign" and most recently a $15 million William M. Bill Clements Golf Center.
 
Prior to his time at Arizona, Maben held development and external roles at LSU and UNLV. He began his collegiate athletics career managing the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center at Arizona.
 
"I am incredibly honored to join the University of Hawai'i Athletics family, and I want to thank Matt Elliott for this tremendous opportunity," Maben said. "Hawai'i has long held a special place in my heart, especially with my parents residing on Hawai'i Island and my brother living on Maui. My family and I are thrilled to officially call the islands home. I look forward to working closely with our talented staff to elevate the Hawai'i brand, connect with our passionate fan base, and provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes."
 
A native of Inglewood, Calif., Maben earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from LSU and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Arizona. Along his side,  his wife, Brandy—an Arizona Swimming and Diving National Champion and business owner  —have two children, Collins and Miles.
 
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