Shoji, whose teams have been in the NCAA final four three of the last four seasons, and UH athletics director Herman Frazier agreed to a raise "in the neighborhood" of 20 percent. Shoji made $95,004 annually for the last three years of a contract that expired Jan. 14, 2003.

His first contract, for the 1975 season, paid him $500, Shoji estimated. He has won four national championships since and starts his 30th season as head coach this morning when the 2004 team opens practice.

"I can see (coaching) 35 (years), but I can't see beyond 35," said Shoji, 57. "That would be a nice time to bow out. I'd be of retirement age — about 62, be fully vested and get the most out of my retirement at UH. I think that would be a great time to leave."

Shoji's salary is now thought to be the highest in the WAC, where Hawai'i has a 90-match winning streak, but not the highest in the country.

He says he has difficulty gauging what he deserves. That he coaches the only revenue-producing program in his sport only makes it more difficult because there is no precedent.

"It's not an easy thing to look at because you've got a national level, you've got a UH level and you've got kind of a level of worth to the community and to the state," he says. "I have a hard time coming up with what my job is worth."

Frazier said the hardest thing was getting Shoji in to finalize a deal: "He's just a nonchalant guy who ... you gotta almost pull him in here and say 'Dammit, you gotta get in here and get this contract done.'"

UH has led the country in attendance since moving into the Stan Sheriff Center fulltime in 1995. The program has made money all nine years.

Last year, according to UH figures, the Rainbow Wahine averaged 7,486 per match and brought in more than $1 million in ticket sales — about $600,000 more than the program was budgeted to spend.

Some opposing coaches believe that should make it easy to assess Shoji's value.

"To be honest, I'd find whoever is making the most money in this country and pay him $1 more," Nevada coach Devin Scruggs said. "There's no reason he shouldn't be making the most. It's one of the most successful programs and it's drawing the most people by far. There's no way anyone should make more. ... And not just him — he and his staff."

SEASON TICKETS

Season tickets are on sale. This year lower-level seats are only available with 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue, Super Rooter or Manoa Maniac memberships.

Upper-level prices are $50 for UH student seats, $70 for other students, $100 for seniors and $115 for adults.

Tickets are available at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. They are also available online (Hawaiiathletics.com) and by phone (944-2697).

Tickets for single matches go on sale Aug. 23. They will cost $14 or $16 for general lower-level seats, $11 or $13 for upper level, with seniors $8 or $9, students $6 and UH students $3. The difference in price is based on the opponent.

Single tickets will be available at the box office, by phone, online and also at the Campus Center, OCET at Windward Community College and Rainbowtique Ward Center.

The season starts with the Hawaiian Airlines Classic Sept. 2 to 5. The final regular-season match is Nov. 13 against Nevada.