HONOLULU - Former baseball coach Les Murakami was inducted into the University of Hawai'i Sports Circle of Honor, Athletics Director Hugh Yoshida announced at the Bank of Hawaii Executive Dining Room today.

"Coach Murakami has dedicated almost half his life to the baseball program and he certainly deserves this distinguished honor," Yoshida said. "We are delighted to honor him today as the sole inductee in the class of 2001."

Murakami, who retired last season, began his coaching career at UH in 1971 when baseball was a club sport. In 30 years as head coach, Murakami, compiled a 1,079-570-4 record. The 65-year-old earned numerous honors in his career, including Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (1987 & 1991) Hawai'i Sportsman of the Year (1977 & 1980), NCAA District Coach of the Year (1986), and the Lefty Gomez Award (1981).

Most notably, Murakami, was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999. He led the Rainbows to six conference titles, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, and finished second at the College World Series in 1980.

This has been a week of excitement for Murakami, who was honored Wednesday at the opening game of the 2002 baseball season in the stadium that now bears his name. The Rainbows treated their former coach with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over second-ranked Florida State.

The former coach will be officially inducted during halftime of tomorrow's men's basketball game against UTEP. His plaque will be unveiled on the concourse level of the Stan Sheriff Center where the other 57 individuals and seven teams already hang.

Bank of Hawaii has served as the primary sponsor of the Circle of Honor, providing funds and design expertise since 1982.