The team of 1976-1977: profiles of the mostly Ukrainian squad (06/25/06)

The team of 1976-1977: profiles of the mostly Ukrainian squad

Following is the text of introductions of the members of the 1976-1977 Rutgers volleyball team as presented by Pat Kotlar Paslawsky during the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Prof. Taras Hunczak: As the founder of the Rutgers Newark Volleyball Team and bringing the team to comply for NAIA [National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics] and then NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] status, first as coach then as Volleyball Coordinator of both men's and women's volleyball programs, Prof. Hunczak is truly the reason this incredible team is being honored here today. It was through the combination of his persistence, confidence in his players and motivation with the high-level talent and determination of this team that they became NCAA East Coast Champions and were able to advance to the NCAA finals in their first year, as he had challenged the late Provost James Young: Give us the school support on this one and I guarantee this team will qualify for the national championship in its first season. This prediction by Coach Hunczak, or TT as he was affectionately known, by this team was actually fulfilled and a significant segment of the history of Rutgers Newark Volleyball was in the making.

Mario Trebit: Mario came on board as the Rutgers assistant coach in 1977 and attempted to tame this dynamic collection of volleyball talent. He succeeded to an extraordinary degree, for the team did win an incredible 41 matches that first season in the East Coast Volleyball League. Mario went on to coach several other Rutgers teams and is a renowned international coach and referee.

Bohdan Mrozowski: Bohdan started out playing volleyball in high school and was involved in tournament play in various youth organizations prior to joining the Rutgers Raiders volleyball team in his sophomore year. Though he only played one year, he contributed to the team's 41-1 record as a team hitter and went on to compete in the NCAA Finals in California in 1977.

Boris Olshaniwsky: Boris played with the Rutgers Raiders in 1977 when he was a freshman. A very special vision of Boris in most of team's memory was of Boris carrying a particular blueberry cheesecake that he personally guarded on the entire flight to their destination of southern California that year. Boris will always be remembered for his humor, enthusiasm and team spirit which was such a great part of getting this underdog team to compete in the Nationals in 1977. The late Boris is represented by his mother and sisters today.

George Lesiuk: George was one of the early recruits who came from the Tryzub Ukrainian Sports Club in Philadelphia. He contributed to the team as an outside hitter and middle blocker. George continued coordinating volleyball activities in his community.

Mike Laschuk: Number 6 on the Raiders team, Mike played volleyball for years for the Ukrainian Sitch Sports Club. He was the defense specialist with the Raiders and was part of the team the previous year in 1976 that went to the NAIA finals in Kansas City where the team took second. Mike was one of the Ukrainian connection that Coach Hunczak brought to the university.

Roman Kolinsky: Number 3, Roman started playing volleyball at the age of 8 and came to Rutgers to continue playing. He started playing with Ukrainian youth organizations and competed in sports rallies where he was selected MVP. He was a setter, as well as a defensive player. Roman was an integral part of sanguinity and positive attitude of the '77 team.

Richard Kaefer: Richie was a setter for the Raiders and Number 12. He played in the Junior Olympics in 1975 and 1976. He also participated in the USVBA [United States Volley Ball Association] Nationals in 1976. Ritchie was noted for his soft touch and genuine personality as a team player.

George Temnycky: George started playing USVBA volleyball in 1974 with the Ukrainian Sitch Sports Club, which was Region II champ. Prior to playing ball with the Raiders, he played for the Ukrainian PAL League, as well as finished third in the nation with the New York Junior Olympic team. George was a freshman in 1977 when the Raiders advanced to the NCAA finals in Los Angeles. His position was an outside hitter and middle blocker. George continued on the team and represented Rutgers in future final four appearances .

William Savary: William was a senior in 1977 and instrumental in making volleyball stand out on the East Coast that first year Rutgers was in the NCAAs. Born in Haiti, he played in Inter-Caribbean tournaments, where he was selected to the "all tournament" team. He was known for his exceptional vertical jump and was selected as a member of the All-East team in 1976. William was one of two captains on this team that season.

Ruichi Furusawa: "Ichi" was born in Japan, where he was a member of the All-Tokyo team. In 1976 he was member of the NCAA Second Team All-East. He also received honors of All-NAIA First Team that same year. In 1977 he was selected to the NCAA All-East Team. Ichi was a setter for the team, a position that basically called the shots and utilized the hitters to their utmost potential.

Peter Melnyk: Another Ukrainian and another spiker for the Raiders, Peter was captain of the team that year in 1977. In 1975 he played for the New York Volleyball Club, as well as Ukrainian sports clubs. He participated in the Junior Olympics as well. Peter contributed to the team's advancement in the NAIA finals in 1976. Peter was the only holdover from the original club team in 1975. As an alumnus, he was the play-by-play commentator at the first Golden Dome tournament, an invitational competition of the top volleyball teams of the country.

Nestor Paslawsky: Nestor also started playing volleyball at an early age among the Ukrainian youth and sports organizations. In 1975 he was a member of the Junior Olympics of New York and was selected to the Junior All-American Team at age 16. In 1976 he played in Hawaii as a member of the U.S.A. Pacific Rim Tournament. Nestor was instrumental in bringing the Rutgers team to the No. 2 spot in the NAIA and was voted All-Tournament that first season. In 1977 he played hitter and middle blocker positions which contributed to the 41-1 record. He was selected to the All-Tournament Team at UCLA, as well as honored as an All American on the national level.

Editor's Note: Other Ukrainians previously inducted into the Rutgers-Newark Athletic Hall of Fame are: Irene Darmochwal, volleyball, 1982, inducted in 1986; Taras Hunczak, volleyball (founder and coach), inducted in 2004; and Pat Kotlar Paslawsky, volleyball, 1979, inducted in 2004.

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