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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, May 7, 2002

Warriors honored at banquet of champions

Advertiser Staff

UH volleyball players, from left, Kimo Tuyay, Delano Thomas, Daniel Rasay and Ryan Woodward relived the championship season through a collage of photos at last night's booster club banquet.

Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team was honored at a banquet last night at the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki.

While no individual awards were presented, team mascot Vili Fehoko presented an ancient drum to UH coach Mike Wilton as appreciation for winning the national championship.

The NCAA championship trophy and a banner that hangs at the final four were on display for the hundreds in attendance.

UH senior Vernon Podlewski was in Chicago on family business, but the team's other senior — All-America middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic — was acknowledged for his five-year career.

In a moving 10-minute speech, Miladinovic thanked his teammates and Wilton, and vowed that the Warriors will have an easier time defending their first national championship than winning it.

Wilton also spoke about each of his players.

KFVE announcers Jim Leahey and Chris McLachlin, and booster club president Basil Sparlin were the featured speakers.

A 10-minute video presentation of the final four was shown.

Cayetano to honor team: Gov. Ben Cayetano will play host to the UH men's volleyball team at a luncheon ceremony Friday at Washington Place, starting at 1 p.m.

Yesterday, Cayetano proclaimed 2002 as "Rainbow Warriors Volleyball Year" in Hawai'i.

"The entire state is proud of coach Mike Wilton and his team for winning the first national championship in the history of University of Hawai'i men's sports," Cayetano said in a statement. "Together these men from seven different countries represented the State of Hawai'i and became the best team in the country."

Victory parade: The UH men's volleyball team will take part in a trolley ride from noon to 12:45 Thursday in the downtown area.

Following the ride, players will head to Murphy's Bar & Grill, where a special Call the Coach radio show will be in session. The radio show will run from noon to 2 and be heard on KCCN-AM (1420).