Thursday, July 19, 2001
There comes a time when it's time. Sellitto plans to retire
after this seasonStar-Bulletin staff
And it's time for Tony Sellitto to retire.
The 64-year-old Sellitto has decided that this will be his last season as head basketball coach for Hawaii Pacific University, a job he has held since 1988. He will remain as the Sea Warriors' athletic director through the 2002-03 school year.
"You always think about what you'll do with the time off," Sellitto said. "You always think about who will take your place. I've always felt anyone can be replaced at any given time."
But not easily.
He has been a fixture on island courts since 1964, when Sellitto took over at Maryknoll School. Twenty-four seasons and one Interscholastic League of Honolulu title later, he moved a few miles to Hawaii Pacific.
Sellitto takes a 277-127 record into his 14th and final season. He has one national championship, winning the NAIA title in 1993, his best finish in eight postseason appearances.
He hopes that his coaching staff -- longtime assistants Russell Dung, Darrell Matsui, Mel Miyamoto and Francis Fletcher -- will remain. Sellitto has designated Dung as his successor for the 2002-03 season "and it will be just like having me there, only younger," said Sellitto.
As for this season, "I have a great group of guys, mostly seniors, who are going to work very hard to get as far as we can (in the playoffs)," he said. "I don't believe it's going to be "Win one for the Gipper.' We'll win for HPU."
Sellitto has fought -- and won -- against the odds. His championship teams at Maryknoll and HPU had no gym to call their own.
In 1997, he underwent surgeries for both a stroke and prostate cancer. He has survived, living a healthier lifestyle that includes a daily five-mile walk from his Waikiki apartment to Kapiolani Park and back.
"I've been a coach for 35 years," he said. "Basketball has been my life. But after having a few medical problems, you start thinking, 'Maybe basketball isn't all that important.'
"Getting to 300 (wins) isn't all that important. If I win 23 and get there, fine. But it won't define me as a coach. I've been fortunate to have really loyal friends, coaches and players.
"I don't know what it's going to be like not to have to go to the gym. I'm not thinking about that right now. I'll have time for that later."
http://www.hpu.edu