By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Whether University of Hawai'i associate head volleyball coach Charlie Wade takes the job as head coach of the Fresno State women's team — and we're told he's been leaning toward remaining at UH — the Bulldogs' pursuit of him has sent an unmistakable message.

It says the Bulldogs are intent on closing the considerable gap with the Rainbow Wahine. It says Fresno wants a higher profile in the Western Athletic Conference where, when it comes to volleyball, there has been Snow White and the nine dwarfs.

The Bulldogs' chase paints a picture of a school that wants to compete for the WAC title and beyond — and is willing to pay handsomely to get there.

The Bulldogs are daring to dream big and UH, a team they are 0-34 against, is the clear inspiration. "Hawai'i's the great plateau to aim for and that's what we're trying to do with our volleyball program," said Scott Johnson, FSU athletic director.

Consider that the FSU job pays a base salary of up to $99,012 plus benefits and camp money, a package which is probably in the top 15-20 percent nationally. Until his new contract three months ago, UH's Dave Shoji, with 30 years' experience and four national championships, was getting a base of $90,000.

Moreover, the Bulldogs, who had a $32,500 recruiting budget in 2003 that already topped UH's, are willing to spruce up several areas to turn the corner on their program.

It isn't like the Bulldogs have been down and out, either. In 14 seasons under Punahou School graduate Lindy Vivas, whose contract wasn't renewed, Fresno was 263-167 with eight 20-win seasons and just one losing campaign. Over the last 15 years, the Bulldogs have the second-highest winning percentage among conference teams — behind UH.

But Fresno wants more than three NCAA appearances in 14 years (and no tournament victories). It seeks more than one Top 25 appearance in a five-year period and something beyond 67 season ticket holders and an average of 736 fans a match.

It dreams of even a quarter of the crowds it has seen in the Stan Sheriff Center and, while balancing the checkbook is too much to hope for, less than $500,000 in red ink would be nice. "I think Fresno is a place where, if you win, they'll come watch anything," Shoji said.

To make that climb, FSU is apparently promising some of the things Vivas sought but rarely was granted, like more matches in the 16,116-seat Save Mart Center instead of the 1,401-seat North Gym.

FSU's vision of the future means chasing Rainbows — and one of their coaches.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.