Posted on: Thursday, June 28, 2001

UH volleyball places four on all-academic team

Advertiser Staff

University of Hawai'i volleyball players Costas Theocharidis, Eyal Zimet, Dejan Miladinovic and Torry Tukuafu were named to the 2001 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic team.

Selection was based on academic and athletic performance. Miladinovic, who is majoring in business administration, led the way with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.8. Theocharidis, who was voted the nation's most valuable player, has a 3.75 cumulative GPA. Tukuafu and Zimet are averaging 3.33 and 3.14, respectively.

In all, despite four lengthy road trips, 11 Warriors earned a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher during the spring semester. The team's spring GPA was 3.11.

"It's just a further testament to what kind of guys they are," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "We always preach to do the best you can as an athlete and student."

During road trips, Wilton said, there were designated study periods. "They weren't really necessary," Wilton said of his self-motivated players. "They were reminders."

Wilton said the players brought lap-top computers and, with the coaches serving as proctors, took tests on road trips. Open a player's bag, Wilton said, and there will be text books and note pads.

"Those guys had heavy travel bags," he said.

Wilton said he cut one player after the fall semester because of poor grades.

"It had become obvious he was not doing his job," Wilton said. "We told him, 'Any hour you spend with us is time that should be spent studying.' Our program pyramid is: study, volleyball, what kind of person you are. Studying is a key component."