Theocharidis to play in UH alumni match
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball program welcomes back a prodigal player when the Warriors host the alumni tomorrow in the Stan Sheriff Center.
The exhibition marks the return of outside hitter Costas Theocharidis, one of the best — and most controversial — figures in the program's history.
Theocharidis is the sport's only four-time, first-team All-American and the Warriors' career leader in kills. But his experience as an amateur on a professional team in his native Greece prior to enrolling at UH in August 1999 led to the NCAA stripping the Warriors of their 2002 national championship.
"He will always be a member of our family," UH coach Mike Wilton said of Theocharidis, who did not receive money nor sign with an agent while in Greece. "He made a mistake, but it was a pretty honest mistake. Who could imagine what he did was such a heinous crime?"
Although appearing to be the fall guy, Theocharidis said, "I don't care. All of those things are in the past. People have to move on with their lives. If they don't, that's their problem. I moved on with my life. I'm enjoying my life in Hawai'i. I don't want to even think about what happened in the past."
The NCAA launched the investigation days after Theocharidis completed his UH career in April 2003. He visited Greece for three months, then returned to UH to complete work on a degree in finance. He works as a licensed wealth planner for a firm based in Manoa. He said he plans to spend the rest of his life in Hawai'i.
"I like the people here and I like the Hawaiian culture," Theocharidis said. "And I love my job. It's so hard to find a job that you really like. I like waking up in the morning and coming to the office and working here. I'm very lucky."
Although he played in a tournament during the summer and in an exhibition match two weeks ago, he is "semi-retired" from volleyball.
"Volleyball has been such a big part of my life, but there comes a point when you have to balance your life more," he said. "Back then, volleyball was such a big thing. Now it's a small part of my life, but it's still there, and I enjoy playing when I can."
He regularly attends UH matches, often sitting in the sections where fans used to wave "Grecian Formula" and "Greece Lightning" signs.
"I enjoy the game of volleyball, and nothing is going to stop me from supporting my team," he said. "I enjoy interacting with the boosters and the fans."
Theocharidis, who is in Hawai'i on a work visa, said he will apply for a green card and then U.S. citizenship. For now, he said he considers himself a "citizen of Hawai'i," and he admits to getting chicken skin when he sings along to "Hawai'i Pono'i" before UH home matches.
He said he remembers his first homework assignment from Wilton. "He told me I had to learn the words to 'Hawai'i Pono'i,'" Theocharidis recalled. "He said, 'If you don't know how to sing it, you're not allowed to eat a pre-game meal.' We sat down in the locker room and started memorizing the words. The same night, everybody would sing it. ... It's such a nice anthem. It makes you feel so good."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
