NIK Berger has traveled the world, playing volleyball and winning major tournaments. But it's in Hawaii where he is treated royally. Ex-’Bow Berger
still a big cheese in
the islandsIt's not only because the former University of Hawaii player won the King of the Beach Tournament in Waikiki on Mother's Day. The fans haven't forgotten Berger, who left UH after two years to go to architecture school in his native Austria.
"It is a surprise, not only that they remember, but how many remember," said Berger, who was back in Austria yesterday after spending two weeks in Hawaii. "I have been gone for three years and they even remember why I left.
"I was at the NCAA final (May 1 at the Stan Sheriff Center) and people came up to talk. My fiance, Katja, was surprised that she got leis from the boosters. All she could say was, 'These people are so nice.' You don't experience things like this in Europe. It's so sweet."
IT was a bittersweet decision when Berger decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility after his sophomore season in 1995. The Rainbows finished fourth in their first final four appearance that year and "of course you never know what would have happened if you stayed," said Berger, a 6-foot-5 swing hitter. "To win a college championship is great for your personal career and it would be smart to get a degree, too. But I would have had to stay for five years to graduate, meaning a year when I didn't play volleyball. I didn't want to stop playing at age 23. I think it was the right choice."
The reigning King of the Beach was more of a King Midas when he returned to Austria. He chose to play for the top indoor club team in Vienna while attending business school there.
His Viennese team has won three consecutive Austrian championships, and Berger was named the Player of the Year in 1997. After the indoor season, he and partner, Hannes Aromphaler, were the Austrian beach champions.
"It was a good year," Berger said with a laugh.
Berger is hoping 2000 is equally good. Although Austria will not qualify for the Olympics in indoor volleyball, Berger is hoping to make it to Sydney in the beach doubles competition.
"It's going to be tough to qualify because there are only 24 teams that go to the Olympics," he said. "The U.S. and Brazil will have three spots each because they are the best. That means 18 spots left.
"There's a chance to make it, but we've got to work hard. This is the first year we're paying a coach, but we have to find our own sponsors."
Being so involved in the business side of volleyball might open doors for Berger in his future profession.
"I was thinking about management training, but sports gives me a lot of options," he said. "I want to do something with people. I'm not the kind of guy who could stay on the accounting side."
WHEN it comes to numbers, Berger uses them to make his club teammates jealous. He shows them videos of Rainbow matches that drew 10,000 fans.
"I've never seen a place like Hawaii for volleyball," he said. "Even The Netherlands, the Olympic champion, had only 1,500 for their European Cup semifinal. They did not sell out against Yugoslavia for the final. We are hosting the European Championships in 1999. Our goal is to have 5,000. I'm pretty sure I'll never play again in front of 10,000."
And just how many beaches does Austria have?
"None, but we have built about 80 to 100 sand courts that are very popular with the young people," he said. "I could not say which is my favorite beach. For the World Series of Volleyball, you go to Rio and have 5,000 screaming people. In Berlin, you're right in the heart of the city. It's fun playing there because you have the architecture of the old, old buildings next to our most modern sport.
"But, of course, it's nice to be the King of the Beach in Hawaii."
Cindy Luis is a Star-Bulletin sportswriter.
Her column appears weekly.