Jackson back with UH
-- in baseball uniform

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Star-Bulletin staff

Hawaii baseball coach Mike Trapasso's first recruiting class is ranked in the top 20 nationally by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. But one of his more notable recruiting catches is one who doesn't appear on that list.

Following a short stint with the NFL's Tennessee Titans, veteran outfielder and former UH football standout Nate Jackson has reported to fall baseball practices with the Rainbows.

Jackson played baseball for UH in 2000 and 2001 while simultaneously participating in spring football practice.

Jackson played in a single game last year (going 2-for-4 in a loss at UH-Hilo) before opting to train toward a career in the National Football League.

"He's exciting to watch because of his athletic ability," said Trapasso. "But what he needs is baseball experience. He's never really had a fall to play baseball."

Jackson's playing role for the upcoming season is as yet uncertain. But he brings several intangibles to Trapasso's young program.

"I just love him as a person," Trapasso said. "He's just a great guy. He's got experience, toughness and athleticism. And he brings maturity."

Hawaii's official recruiting class, which consists of 11 freshmen and 10 junior college transfers, was ranked No. 19 in the country by Collegiate Baseball.

"It shows we're heading in the right direction," said Trapasso, who gave much of the credit to assistant and recruiting coordinator Chad Konishi.

The class includes junior college All-American Josh Green and five players who have been drafted by Major League Baseball.

Trapasso's former employer, Georgia Tech, had the nation's No. 1 class according to Collegiate Baseball. WAC champion Rice was the top Western Athletic Conference school listed, checking in at No. 17.

Lin best of PacWest for second time

Brigham Young-Hawaii freshman Chun Yi Lin is the Pacific West Conference volleyball Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Lin, a middle blocker, had 18 kills and a .448 hitting percentage in a five-game win against Chaminade on Saturday. She leads the country in hitting percentage (.488) and is 17th in kills per game (4.68).

Blessing for UH track scheduled for Oct. 22

The blessing for the reopening of the UH track is slated for Oct. 22 at 10:30 a.m.

Construction on the rainbow-colored track began in May.

Hawaii'strack season starts Jan. 29 with the UH Sunset Series Meet.