Colorado State Hires UI’s Volleyball Coach

University of Idaho volleyball coach Tom Hilbert accepted an offer Wednesday to become the coach at Colorado State.

“It’s difficult to leave,” Hilbert said, “because we’ve been treated so well by the fans, community and administration at Idaho. We just felt it was time for a change.”

Hilbert agreed to a one-year contract - as mandated by Colorado state law, similar to Idaho - for about $65,000. His salary package at Idaho was roughly $55,000. Colorado State is expected to announce the appointment today.

Hilbert is responsible for a $10,000 buyout for leaving Idaho before the conclusion of his three-year contract.

Hilbert interviewed Tuesday and Wednesday in Fort Collins, Colo. He returned to Moscow on Wednesday night and attempted to contact his players. His starting date hasn’t been determined.

Hilbert’s eight-year UI record was 174-72 with four trips to the NCAA Tournament.

“They’ve gotten themselves a very good coach,” said athletic director Oval Jaynes, who was Colorado State’s A.D. from 1986-91. “Tom’s an awfully good person and he’s been a very popular coach.

“The nice thing is he built quite a foundation here. We’ll try to find the best person possible to handle the program.”

Hilbert basically had completed Idaho’s recruiting. There is one scholarship left, but essentially the team is intact and a talented cast returns.

“We’re not in any hurry to rush out and find someone,” Jaynes said. “If you’re going to lose a coach, this is about as good a time as any.”

Hilbert declined to throw his support behind a particular candidate, but he will offer suggestions if asked. Names that could emerge include Melissa Stokes, former UI assistant and current head coach at Southwest Missouri State; Debbie Martin, St. Maries High graduate and Vandals assistant; Kip Yoshimura, head coach at Lewis Clark State College; Ben Stroud, head coach at College of Southern Idaho; and Pam Parks, head coach at Eastern Washington.

“The program is healthy and if people embrace the new person, the way they did with me, the program will continue to be successful,” Hilbert said.

“It’s been great at Idaho because it allowed me to coach at a time when women’s athletics on the Palouse was growing and we developed great support and tradition.”

Hilbert replaces Rich Feller, who left Colorado State to work with the U.S. Olympic team. CSU, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year.

MVP honors for Smith

Sandpoint High pitcher Tina Smith was named most valuable player by Inland Empire League softball coaches in their all-league selections.

Smith, a senior transfer from Vancouver, Wash., had a 10-7 record.

Joining Smith on the team are teammates Jodi McKitrick and Leah Free along with Kelli Babcock, Blake Hoorelbeke, Katelyn Tatum, Amber Orr of Coeur d’Alene, Lindsay Herbert, Kim Koll and Allison Gerzina of Lake City, Amy Church of Lewiston and Angie Foster of Post Falls.

Hoorelbeke was named newcomer of the year.

, DataTimes