HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i head men's volleyball coach Charlie Wade announced the addition of Vernon Podlewski as assistant coach. Podlewski is a former Warrior who spent time with the U.S. National Team.

 

Last season, Podlewski served as UH's volunteer coach, assisting the team with defense and passing. In addition, he assisted with scouting and statistical data entry during each match.

 

“We are excited to move Vern into a full-time role on our staff,” Wade said. “He did a great job last year as a volunteer and will definitely be a great contributor to our program. His resume is filled with international experience as a player and an array of coaching experiences. His energy and expertise in the practice gym is as good as it gets.”

 

A two-year letterwinner for the Warriors from 2001-02, Podlewski was a two-time all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation selection. He ranked fifth on the school's all-time dig average list at 2.16 per set. He was a member of the 2001 squad which captured the MPSF Pacific Division title and 2002 team which advanced to the NCAA Tournament title match.

 

Following his UH career, the Wailuku, Maui native joined the U.S. National Team and competed from 2003-05. He later played professionally for four years in Romania and Germany.

 

Most recently, Podlewski was the girls varsity head coach at Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu for the past two years. He led the Owls to a third place finish in the highly competitive Interscholastic League of Honolulu and was named league coach of the year in 2010.

 

“I have known Vernon prior to his playing career at UH and he has always expressed an interest to coach in college and specifically here in Hawai'i – his home, and his alma mater,” Wade said. “With his recent experience in athletic administration at Mid-Pac and as a high school coach in Hawai'i, he has established great rapport with the local coaches and knowledge of the local players. He will definitely be a great role model and advocate for local kids staying home and playing at UH.”

 

His other coaching stints include an assistant with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs women's team in 2009, where he also served as assistant athletics director for compliance. In 2008, he was an assistant and interim head coach for the Parkland College women's team, where he led the Cobras to a third place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament.

 

Podlewski has also coached at numerous camps and clinics. He is a 1994 graduate of Maui High School and later attended Santa Barbara Junior College prior to UH.