Wednesday, September 16, 1998

HPU eyes
Division I
baseball

If it makes the move, the
school would seek WAC
membership in the sport

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

The Hawaii Pacific University baseball program is looking into moving up to NCAA Division I, according to HPU athletic director Tony Sellitto.

"We're thinking about it, especially with the breakup of the WAC (Western Athletic Conference). It makes things more interesting," Sellitto said.

Sellitto said he would approach the WAC about membership for the baseball team if the program attains Division I status.

HPU is in its first year of NCAA Division II membership and is a member of the Pacific West Conference. Because the conference doesn't have baseball, member schools compete as independents.

However, NCAA schools can petition to have a team compete at a higher classification. If HPU makes the move, it would like to do so by the 2000 season, according to Sellitto.

"To tell you the truth, I would love it," HPU head baseball coach Allan Sato said. "Just the thought of going to Division I is a step in the right direction."

"Hilo did it and I don't see why we can't do it," Sellitto said. "I was a scout (Cincinnati) for a long time and I feel our local kids, especially the position players, can compete at the Division I level.

"We have a nice field at Hans L'Orange Park, beat Florida last year, and it would help our scheduling. It's very appealing."

Now, when Division I teams come to play the University of Hawaii or the University of Hawaii at Hilo, there is a reluctance to schedule the Sea Warriors. Although games against HPU don't count against a team's 56-game limit, they also don't count toward a team's power rating, which can be critical come NCAA Tournament selection time.