FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
HONOLULU – University of Hawai’i baseball coach Mike Trapasso has signed a new three-year contract through the 2014 season, Athletics Director Jim Donovan announced.
“A few years back I asked Mike to focus on winning the WAC and getting our baseball team into the NCAA post-season tournament,” Donovan said. “I’m pleased that Coach Trap has done both – winning the WAC regular season last year and winning the WAC Tournament and going to the NCAA regionals the year before. This is a trend I expect to continue based on the improved local and mainland student-athletes being recruited to be on our baseball team.”
“I would like to thank Jim Donovan and our administration for the new contract,” Trapasso said. “I’m very lucky to be coaching such a great sport at such a great place.”
Trapasso guided the Rainbows to their second straight Western Athletic Conference title in 2011. Last season, UH won a share of its first WAC regular season title since 1992 and advanced to the conference tournament championship game for the second straight year. Hawai’i also won the WAC Tournament in 2010 for the first time since 1992.
Under Trapasso, attendance at Les Murakami Stadium has spiked over the past three years, including an average of 3,320 per game in 2011, which was the highest in the West Region and No. 17 nationally.
Also last season, UH introduced the popular Friday night autograph sessions, which averaged 3,655 fans each night. Following the game, fans were allowed on the field for photos and autographs with the team and coaches. The Friday night autograph sessions will continue this upcoming season.
Since taking over as head coach in 2001, Trapasso has a 314-269 overall record and taken the Rainbows to two NCAA Regional appearances. He also has been named WAC Coach of the Year three times (2004, ’06, and ’11) and in 2006 was selected as the National Coach of the Year by the College Baseball Foundation.
