University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney announced his selection of Patrick Guillen as athletic director. The appointment, pending approval by UH President David Lassner after public posting on the August Board of Regents’ agenda, will be effective August 21, 2015.
In his new capacity, Guillen will oversee UH Hilo’s 12 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II athletic programs.
“Patrick brings a tremendous set of skills and leadership experience to the UH Hilo Athletic program,” says Straney. “He has a strong background in fostering excellence in student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom. He also has years of experience in effective fundraising and communication campaigns. He’s the right person at the right time to lead our Vulcan program forward.”
Guillen, currently an independent consultant specializing in business development, is the former director of intercollegiate athletics at California State University (CSU)-Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named the new director of athletics at UH Hilo,” said Guillen. “I am grateful to UH Hilo for this opportunity and am excited to get started. Providing the very best student-athlete experience will be our top goal emphasizing academic excellence, strong community engagement and a return to national prominence in athletic competition.”
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Under Guillen’s leadership at CSU Dominguez Hills, the men’s soccer team won national championships in 2000 and 2008, the women’s soccer team was 2009 national runner-up, the men’s basketball team was conference champion in 2011, the women’s basketball team was conference champion in 2009, the softball team was conference champions in 2005 and 2012, and the women’s track and field 4×100 team won the national championship in 2012. At the same time, the overall cumulative team grade point average for the 11 sports programs rose from 2.24 in 2004 to 2.91 in 2013.
Guillen also was responsible for increasing the athletic department’s endowment from $17,000 in 2005 to nearly $600,000 in 2013. He also raised $900,000 for major facility enhancements to the gymnasium, baseball and softball fields. Guillen has served as tournament director and hosted NCAA West Regional Championship events in men’s soccer, baseball and softball.
Prior to joining CSU Dominguez Hills, he served as the sports information director at Vanguard University and the sports information director for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Far West Region.
Guillen received his bachelor of business administration in management and marketing from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California.