The 20 Something Year Old Entrepreneur

I wanna take a small break from talking about social media and college athletics and recognize someone who has been a huge part in college athletics especially in Hawaii.

Margie Okimoto has been with the University of Hawaii Athletics Department for 40 years serving as the secretary to the Athletics Director.  She has served under six full-time A.D.s which included, Paul Durham, Ray Nagel, Stan Sheriff, Hugh Yoshida, Herman Frazier, and Jim Donovan.  But what stands out is not her longevity but rather her dedication to the Athletics Department.  She is and always will be the heart and soul of Hawaii Athletics.

I’ve known Margie for four years now and while I wasn’t her student assistant, I’ve gotten to know her and she truly is a special person.  She genuinely cares about every person she meets, always greeting people with a bright smile and greatest customer service possible.  Margie treats everyone like family and truly embodies the “Aloha Spirit.”  I can’t imagine what it would be like passing her desk and not seeing her there.

I was honored that I was invited to attend her retirement party on Thursday, and I wish I sat down with her more and talked to her about the past.  Former AD Hugh Yoshida said that Margie should write a book about her 40 years of being involved with the Athletic Department, then jokingly said that it would be the size of “War and Peace.”  She’s been through it all.  The high’s, the low’s and I’m sure people would read the book.

What I didn’t think about when I heard she was retiring was why?  I knew she would be retiring soon and assumed it was just her time.  However, at the retirement party, Jim Donovan talked about how Margie understood the tough times the Athletics Department was facing financially and deep down inside Margie knew that by retiring now, she’s going to save five peoples job. That was really a touching moment for me, and I will admit that I got a little watery eyed.

Former Wahine Basketball coach, Vince Goo, also gave a little speech about her and in the end said that if he were still coaching, Margie would have been what he called “the total package.”  Then followed it up with, “Margie Okimoto should be inducted into the University of Hawaii Circle of Honor for her service, commitment, and dedication to the department.”  I would take that one step further and have the #40 retired for all sports in honor of her 40 years of service.

You may think I’m going over board with this but think about how many students athletes, coaches, administrators, and the general public she’s helped over the years.  It’s a automatic for me.  Help me make this happen.  Email Jim Donovan please, and ask to retire the #40 in honor of her service to the department.

Tags: Margie Okimoto