Speaker

Courtesy of Pac West Conference

Bob Hogue was named the new commissioner of the Pac West Conference, which includes Notre Dame de Namur, a Belmont-based institution.

Pac West gets new commish

By Travis Perkins / Daily News Staff Writer

Last Saturday, the Notre Dame de Namur athletic department shifted its eyes toward Hawaii, as Bob Hogue was named the new commissioner of the Pacific West Conference.

Hogue, a Hawaii senator from 2000-06, takes with him 30-plus years of experience in broadcasting and journalism. He also hosts a sports talk show in Honolulu and writes a column for Midweek, one of the largest magazines circulating throughout the islands.

"I am excited and thrilled with the opportunity," said Hogue, who played baseball for two seasons at USC during the '70s. "I look forward to the challenges and hitting the ground running."

Hogue, despite a strong sports background, didn't spend his career pursuing the gig. Instead it found him.

"I would say it was something that just happened," said Hogue, who learned of the opening two weeks ago. "With my passion for sports, they thought I was the ideal candidate."

The staff at NDNU is satisfied by his appointment.

"It's his first position in the NCAA," NDNU Director of Athletics Joshua Doody said. "But I think he'll do just fine."

Hogue replaces Woody Hahn, who held the post since it was created in 1992. The two had met before while Hahn was the Athletic Director at Eastern Montana College, now Montana State University-Billings.

"(Hahn) has been a terrific commissioner," the 57-year-old Hogue said. "And I look forward to a good transfer."

And no doubt he'll get advice from the Pac West institutions on how to improve the conference.

"I would like him to expand the league," Doody said. "If we add one more team to the mainland, it would help with scheduling."

Hogue shared his opinion on the matter.

"Right now, it's kind of premature to throw out different names," he said. "But hopefully, down the road, we can achieve that and have four teams from Hawaii and four from the mainland."

The Pac West boasts seven programs. In addition to NDNU, that list includes Brigham Young University (Hawaii), Chaminade University of Honolulu, Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, the Dixie State College of Utah, the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Pacific University.

"There's a real community feel to this conference," Hogue said. "There's a great connection."

The commissioner intends to assist NDNU with its travels, a matter Doody listed as one of importance, especially considering trips to Hawaii attract athletes to NDNU.

"I think the conference is a draw, period," said Doody, who is in his second year at athletic director. "But going to Hawaii is a big reason for that."

"I am looking forward to sitting down with the airlines and hotels and forming a partnership," Hogue said. "That's very high on my list."

The new commissioner did not say when he will visit NDNU, but he plans to make a trip within the next couple of weeks.

"It was actually suggested that I wait until early September or the early fall," said Hogue, whose brother Don played baseball at Stanford in the '80s.

Additionally, Hogue intends to drop in on the NCAA. His conversation with its officials will concern the Belmont-based college, as he lobbies to gain active status for NDNU and Dixie State in NCAA D-II action.

Hogue is uncertain whether he can continue working as a columnist and talk show host, but he believes he can use those outlets to spread the word about the Pac West - at least, for now.