Buckeyes’ Jay Accepts Offer to be New AD at UH

Hawaii’s new athletic director Ben Jay. Photo by Ohio State Athletics.

By Rodney S. Yap

Ohio State senior associate athletic director Ben Jay has accepted an offer to become the new athletic director at the University of Hawai’i, according to a report by The Columbus Dispatch.

Jay and University of California at Berkeley deputy director of athletics Solomon “Solly” Fulp were the final two candidates interviewed earlier this week by Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple.

The new athletic director replaces Jim Donovan, who was reassigned in July following a botched Stevie Wonder concert.

Since 2006, Jay has overseen the financial side of the athletic department, helping keep the Buckeyes in solid financial shape despite the recession while overseeing the upgrade of several athletic facility sites and the construction of the Buckeye Field softball stadium.

Jay and his wife, Ling, also a Columbus native and an Ohio State graduate, have three children, Taylor, Olivia and Bryan.