Pal Eldredge, who led the Punahou baseball team to Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles in 1986 and 1994, and a state title in 1989, will step down as head coach for a one-year sabbatical. Punahou’s Eldredge
to take sabbatical"After 30 straight years of coaching, I think it's time," said the 53-year-old Eldredge. He has been the Buffanblu head coach for the past 25 years.
Eldredge said he will continue to teach third grade at Punahou. He will work with new Punahou athletic director Tom Holden to select an interim baseball coach.
SEAU SAYS HE'LL SHOW UP: Junior Seau was a no-show again yesterday at the San Diego Chargers' voluntary summer school, but the Pro-Bowl linebacker issued a statement saying that he's not unhappy about his contract and would cut short his vacation in Park City, Utah, and report today.
Team sources said Seau's absence was financially driven. He signed a $27.1 million, six-year contract last September that made him the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. That deal has since been eclipsed in yearly average by the $25 million, four-year deal signed by Pittsburgh linebacker Levon Kirkland.
OCEANFEST STARTS: Four of yesterday's five events at the Waikiki Open Ocean Challenge were won by contestants from New Zealand on the first day of the Outriggers Hotels Hawaiian Oceanfest.
Trent Bray won the 500-meter surf swim and the run-swim-run. Teammate Cory Hutchings took the paddleboard and ocean medley.
Australia's Steve Pullen won the surfski competition.
The Oceanfest continues today with the Hawaiian International Ocean Challenge lifeguard team competition at Makapuu.
UH TICKET DRIVE: Fred vonAppen may be calling you tomorrow or Saturday.
The University of Hawaii football coach, members of his staff and some of the Rainbow players will be making calls to season-ticket holders who did not renew for the 1998 season tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. to 9 and Saturday from 1 to 5.
SWIMMING CLASSES: The University of Hawaii is offering swimming classes to the public at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
There are three sessions: Monday-June 26, June 29-July 10, July 13-24, 3 to 5:30 p.m. The costs are $70 one session, $130 two sessions, $190 three sessions. The classes are tailored for beginning, intermediate and advanced swimmers.
For additional information, call 956-7510 or John Flanagan at 395-6403.
BODYBUILDING SHOWDOWN: The Hawaiian Islands Bodybuilding Championship is scheduled for June 20 at the Blaisdell Center Concert Hall.
Champions will be crowned in three categories: Junior Hawaiian Islands, Over 35 Masters and Hawaiian Islands Bodybuilding.
The N.P.C. Hawaii Fitness Contest for women will be held at the same time.
Prejudging starts at 8:30 a.m. with the finals set for 6:30 p.m.
Tickets range from $20 to $40 with all seats reserved. Tickets are available at Mits' Basic Foods (988-7887), Hawaiian Iron (677-9665), Timmy's Gym (591-9494), The Gym (533-7111) and Waipio Spa Fitness Center (671-5431). Tickets also will be sold at the Blaisdell ticket office June 18-19 and at the concert Hall June 20.
KENDO TOURNAMENT: The 13th annual Leeward Oahu Kendo Tournament will be held June 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mililani District Park Gym.
The event is open to the public at no charge. For more information, call Carl Nakamura at 623-8407.