UH-Hilo softball coach Callen Perreira with the Vulcan softball team. Photography by Rick Ogata/Special to Hawaii247.com

MEDIA RELEASE

University of Hawaii at Hilo women’s softball coach Callen Perreira is stepping down after a 20-year career in which he built the Vulcan’s into a nationally-recognized program.

“Having been born and raised here it has been an honor for me to coach the game that I love right here at home,” Perreira said. “I have accepted an assistant coaching position/HPE instructor at the College of Southern Nevada located in Henderson, Nev.”

Perreira’s last day on the job will be July 31.

“We very much appreciate Callen’s dedication to building an outstanding program where athletes have succeeded on the field of play and in the classroom,” UHH Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Acting Athletic Director Dr. Luoluo Hong said. “We wish him the best in all his future endeavors.”

“To ensure continuity of the program assistant coach Gwen Kagaoan will assume duties as interim head coach. A search for a permanent head coach will begin after the arrival of a new athletic director.”

With 17 consecutive winnings season’s during his 20-year career, Perreira is an example of winning and longevity going hand in hand.

Since the 1990 season, he has guided the program to a 581-344-2 record, a fourth place finish in the 1992 NAIA National Championship, two consecutive years as Pacific West Conference Champions 2004 and 2005 with appearances in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 NCAA Division II West Regional and has ranked consistently in the top ten in the West Region. The 2007 team was ranked in the top 25 final poll.

Perreira’s first year with the Vulcans was the 1989 season as an assistant coach. A year later, he would be the program’s head coach.

In 1992, the Vulcans finished fourth at the NAIA National Championships. Twelve local athletes were on the 15-member team, which included the Vulcan’s first-team all-American Tracie Lagrimas. His program has also produced 32 academic all-Americans and numerous all star recognition including all-Americans, all region and all conference.