Wilton might get three-year contract
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i's Board of Regents finally will vote this week on a new three-year contract for men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton.
Wilton's one-year contract expired Aug. 15, three months after he led the Warriors to the first national title by a UH men's team in school history.
If the regents approve the proposal, Wilton will receive an annual salary of about $90,000. His long-time assistant, Tino Reyes, also would receive a sizeable raise.
Earlier, university officials agreed to Wilton's request to convert a part-time coaching position into a second full-time assistant coaching job. A selection committee named Wilton's son, Aaron, as the second assistant. Aaron Wilton, a former All-American at UH, served as the part-time assistant the past two seasons.
The Warriors will offer two previews before departing Nov. 15 for an eight-day trip to Shanghai. On Oct. 26, the Warriors will stage their annual "Block Party," featuring several activities for fans and culminating with an intrasquad match. An exhibition match against the alumni is set for Nov. 2. Both events will be at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Despite losing three players from last season's team, the Warriors appear to be fully loaded as they prepare for their national-title defense. Middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic and libero Vernon Podlewski completed their eligibility in May, and middle blocker Geronimo "Jo Jo" Chala "retired" to focus on academics. Chala, a skilled flautist whose music-school orchestra once performed for President Clinton, wanted to accelerate work toward earning his degree. Chala has a standing offer to play with a symphony in San Francisco.
"There were classes he wouldn't be able to take if he played," Wilton said.
Also, middle blocker Brian Nordberg is recovering from shoulder surgery and will not be available until December.
But Wilton said Josh Stanhiser, who was a member of the UH basketball team last season, and Delano Thomas, a key factor in the NCAA final four, have played well in the middle during preseason workouts.
Wilton said outside hitter Eyal Zimet also is in good shape. All-America outside hitter Costas Theocharidis, who was training with Greece's national team during the summer, is taking classes at UH this semester. Theocharidis originally planned to stay with the Greek team until December, but opted to return to school. He needs three semesters of credits to complete work on his bachelor's degree, a timetable that will allow him to rejoin the Greek team in January 2004 and play in the Summer Olympics in Athens.
Wilton said freshman Matt Motter is a versatile player who can be used as a libero, outside hitter or serving specialist. Motter ranked second, behind Zimet, in a test measuring passing accuracy. Arri Jeschke, a transfer from Santa Barbara City College, was third.
