Among the opportunities are coaching, athletics administration and in government, some of them out of state, he said.

Sato, 41, is in his 10th season as HPU's coach. He played for the Sea Warriors from 1983 to 1986 under Pat Kuniyoshi and spent the 1987 and 1988 seasons as Kuniyoshi's assistant.

Sato's announcement comes on the eve of tonight's game against Hawai'i, at 6:35 at Les Murakami Stadium. UH leads the series, 25-2. The Sea Warriors' only two wins were pitched by Sato in 1985 and 1986. He also was an assistant at UH for Les Murakami in 1989 and 1990, along with his own assistant Mark Rasmussen.

"Our plan, because we coached under The Legend (Murakami), was to be like him," Sato said. "Put in your 25 years, then walk away from it. For the most part, I think we accomplished our goals. From the time we took over until now, we've taken the program to a different level."

During Sato's tenure, he helped the program make the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 1998. Entering tonight's game, his career coaching record at HPU is 204-206-1. Sato also credited HPU President Chatt Wright and retired AD Tony Sellitto for the program's success.

"HPU has just been a godsend to me and my family," Sato said. "Aside from being a player and coaching under Les, this has been the greatest experience of my life."

Hawai'i Pacific went 1-7 with its only win at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Hawai'i averted a sweep at Nevada with an 8-7 win Sunday, finishing 1-4. It was UH's first road win of the season.

The Rainbows will staff tonight's game with right-hander Ricky Bauer (2-2, 4.36) on about a 30-pitch limit, UH coach Mike Trapasso said. The Sea Warriors will start left-hander Josh Guerra (3-1, 4.67).

Hawai'i will be without outfielder Greg Kish, who aggravated a rib cage injury at Nevada. Kish had X-rays on Monday that revealed two broken ribs, Trapasso said. The recovery period is six to eight weeks, the doctor told Trapasso.