University of Hawai'i-Hilo women's soccer coach Travis Clarke believes he can build a national contender at his fledgling program, all behind homegrown talent.

This fall, the state's four Division II programs — UH-Hilo, Hawai'i Pacific, Chaminade and Brigham Young-Hawai'i — begin their second season of men's and women's soccer and women's basketball after adding them (reinstating for some schools) last year.

With a few months to field a team, those programs built themselves with a bevy of local players. UH-Hilo's men's and women's soccer teams had 20 players from the Big Island and BYUH's women's basketball team had four players who prepped at nearby Kahuku High School.

Clarke and his local Division II colleagues hope by continuing to tap into the pool of local players, their young programs will grow and thrive.

"I feel that there are enough players at (soccer clubs) Maui United, Real Hawai'i, Leahi, Honolulu Bulls," Clarke said. "If we can get them, I never have to fly to the Mainland (to recruit). The trick is getting them to stay."

Clarke has signed 20 players for the upcoming season, the most of any Division II program in the nation. Heading the list of local recruits are Carissa Calpo (Pearl City), Vanessa Butin (Moanalua), Kealoha Kane (Kailua), Cherise Lee (Kailua) and Kellie Sakanoi, a transfer from Grand Canyon University who played at Pearl City.

"If we can get players like that every year, UH-Hilo will be a major player in Division II soccer," said Clarke. "That's how good the players in Hawai'i are.

"To get those players to play at our schools is a big deal. We're making a major push to keep to the top players in Hawai'i."

As these programs begin to grow, so is the awareness of their existence. Coaches speculate some high school players probably still haven't heard of their programs, or realize their programs provide an opportunity for players to continue competing at home.

"We hope that the opportunity for student-athletes here in Hawai'i to stay home and play will be appealing enough to persuade them to stay home and play in front of their home fans," Chaminade women's basketball coach Cory O'Dell said. "I know that local players are more aware that there is Division II basketball in Hawai'i than last year."

Butin, a two-time O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division Player of the Year in soccer, saw UH-Hilo as a chance to continue playing at home. "Having the opportunity to go to a Division II soccer program, it shows that local girls don't have to go to the Mainland to play college ball, when they can just stay home," she said.

Hilo's location also was a factor in her decision.

"I wanted to stay home but also wanted to get away from home," Butin said. "I was aware of them (UH-Hilo) because I've been to some of their games. I decided I wanted to be one of the local girls to play for them. I wanted to help out with the program and make it better."

Clarke says such an opportunity — to leave home but remain in Hawai'i — "has never been there before."

"If they don't want to play on O'ahu, if they've been there for their whole life, they can go away but in reality it is a 35- to 40-minute plane ride away from home," Clarke said.

Samantha Saito, a 2006 graduate of Sacred Hearts, considered several Mainland schools before settling on Chaminade last summer.

Saito captained the Silverswords this past year as a freshman, leading the team in minutes played (36.7 per game) and assists (4.5 per game). She also played softball for Chaminade.

"I had opportunities from other universities and colleges who offered me athletic and financial aid to play basketball, but with Chaminade adding women's basketball, I really loved the idea of playing in front of my family and friends," Saito said.

Chelsie Sato, who played soccer, basketball, volleyball and football at McKinley, recently signed with the Hawai'i Pacific soccer program. She's one of seven local players who have committed to the Sea Warriors.

"The coach was persistent in me," Sato said of Mark Kane. "He made me feel welcome to go to HPU and made me feel comfortable."

The infancy of these programs has also drawn the attention of players looking to contribute right away and help these teams develop. Clarke has met players who said they "want to be a part of something that's starting." His team's 4-12-1 record last year didn't deter Butin.

"That (record) didn't make me have any doubts," she said. "I just really wanted to go and help the program."

Hawai'i Pacific women's basketball coach Jeff Harada credits local prep coaches for developing and preparing their players. The challenge now is to find those athletes and get them interested in your program.

"The high school coaches do a good job teaching," Harada said. "It's evident not only in Honolulu, but in the outer islands. There's talent across the state.

"That's the challenge for the coaches here, getting to see these players more than once. Only a select few get to qualify for the state tournament. Unless you make the trips to watch these teams, you don't really know who they are."