UH focused on Trojans, not future of Wilton

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Showing support for their head coach and the spirit of Valentine's Day, the members of the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team began yesterday's practice with a group hug.

Mike Wilton met with BYU officials last week in Provo, Utah. The school paid for the trip. Advertiser library photo

Wilton met with BYU officials on the Provo, Utah, campus last week. BYU paid for the two-day visit. No job offer has been made.

"From what I've heard about the qualifications, he's definitely qualified," said setter Daniel Rasay, the Warriors' captain. "From what he's told us, he wants to make the best decision for his family. We respect that. It's really his choice. Because he's been around for so long (at UH), he's affected a lot of people. It would be disappointing for the program to lose him."

Before leaving for Utah, Wilton had told his players the trip was for a "family purpose."

Yesterday morning, he told the players the trip was a "meeting he needed to have," and his decision to accept BYU's invitation for a meeting was "a family deal."

"Why would anybody want to leave this team?" Wilton said. "These guys are the best."

Tino Reyes, UH's long-time assistant coach, said Wilton is "not doing it for himself. He's doing it for his family."

Wilton has declined to reveal his reasons, although he said they are not related to money or the expiration of his UH contract after this season.

"He needs to take care of what he has to take care of," LaBarre said. "Whatever happens, happens. ... Anybody in that situation — a player or a coach — when it comes to personal situations, you want to wish that person the best of luck. We understand, as a team, what Coach has to do. We'll stick behind him no matter what."

Brian Beckwith, a sophomore setter, said: "I wish him the best in whatever happens. But whatever is going on in his personal life is none of my business."

Wilton said: "I was hoping they would understand, and it doesn't surprise me that they do, because they're real quality guys."

Wilton said he did not know what he would do if he were offered the job.

"I made a visit up there, and I got to see things and they got to see me," Wilton said.

Wilton is a high priest in the Mormon church, which administers BYU. He played volleyball at Church College of Hawai'i, now known as BYU-Hawai'i. His wife, Ku'ulei, is a researcher for the Mormon church.

In 2002, shortly after UH defeated Pepperdine in the final match of the NCAA Championships, Wilton met with BYU officials to discuss the Cougars' vacant men's coaching job. After returning from that interview, Wilton withdrew his candidacy.

This time, it appears Wilton is willing to wait for an offer before deciding. If he were offered the job and he accepted, Wilton said, "I would want to finish the season with these guys, absolutely."

LaBarre said: "If he left, it would be disappointing. He's a great guy, and he's done a lot for the program and a lot for the state. It would be a loss. But he expressed his love for us no matter what happens."

For now, Wilton said: "I'm ready to coach volleyball. I'm not thinking about the other stuff."

Beckwith said: "I know what happens, happens, but he said he's 100 percent for our season. He's totally focused on our season. That's all you can ask for."

The Warriors, who are 8-1 overall and 6-0 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, host Southern California Thursday and Friday in the Stan Sheriff Center.

USC, which played at Penn State last weekend, practiced yesterday at UH's Gym I.

"Every team in our league has great games against us," UH outside hitter Matt Bender said. "Teams always get up for our games."

Before yesterday's practice, the Warriors vowed to focus on the USC matches.

"We won't let (Wilton's situation) become a distraction," libero Alfred Reft said. "We have a job to do. We're here to play. That's our job. We're not here to worry about other things. We're here to play volleyball, and that's our focus this week."

LaBarre said: "You can't let these small things interfere with what's ahead for us. We worked too hard to let this bother us."

In related news, UH today is expected to officially announce that middle blocker Delano Thomas will not play for the Warriors this season.

Thomas, an All-America middle blocker in 2003, needed to complete outstanding school work to be eligible for the spring semester.

Although he had made progress, he was not able to finish the work by the enrollment deadline for the spring semester.

Thomas still has a chance to return next season for his fifth — and final — year. He has not used a redshirt season.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.