Warrior volleyball adds 6-foot-10 basketball player
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Josh Stanhiser, who was a reserve on last season's University of Hawai'i men's basketball team, is willing to join the Warriors' volleyball team, but only if volleyball coach Mike Wilton remains at UH.
"That would definitely make an impact," Stanhiser said.
The 6-foot-10 Stanhiser is expected to sign a non-binding scholarship agreement with the volleyball team today. Stanhiser already receives an academic scholarship that covers tuition. UH has offered to pay for Stanhiser's room and board.
"It was a tough decision, but I thought I'd give it a try," said Stanhiser, who will compete at middle blocker. All-America middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic completed his collegiate career this month.
Wilton, 58, is scheduled to meet with Brigham Young University athletic director Val Hale today to discuss the head coaching job vacated when Carl McGown retired at the end of the season.
Wilton, whose contract with UH expires Aug. 15, said he will decide Monday whether to remain as a candidate for the BYU job. But he said the feelings of UH players, such as Stanhiser's, "will, of course, factor in the equation."
Wilton is a high priest in the Mormon church, which administers BYU. He would take an undisclosed pay cut to coach at BYU. This year, Wilton will earn a base salary of $80,000, plus a bonus of $8,000 for winning the national championship.
Wilton has had to scramble to find scholarship room for Stanhiser and middle blocker Brian Nordberg, a part-time starter who received only money for books last season after transferring from UC Santa Barbara. NCAA rules limit men's volleyball teams to the financial equivalent of 4.5 scholarships each year.
Last month, Wilton told Jake Muise, a reserve libero, and outside hitter Jeff Gleason, who was not on the active roster, that their scholarship allotments would be reduced next season. Wilton cited the scholarship guidebook, which allows reductions based on playing time. Both players are appealing the cuts.
Wilton said both are hard workers and good students. "There's a business aspect, which I don't necessarily like," Wilton said. "It's a tough decision. But 4 1/2 scholarships is 4 1/2 scholarships. That's a tough deal."
