Jan. 13, 2006

Stockton, Calif. - University of the Pacific Director of Athletics Lynn King has announced the hiring of Charlie Wade as Pacific's new women's volleyball coach. Wade is the fifth women's volleyball coach in Pacific history.

Wade has spent the last 11 years at the University of Hawai'i with the Rainbow Wahine volleyball staff, nine as an associate head coach to Dave Shoji. Wade's main responsibilities included being the program's primary recruiter, breaking down film, producing scouting reports and providing technical training during practices.

During his 11 years at Hawai'i, the women's volleyball team produced eleven conference championships (1 Big West, 10 Western Athletic). This span includes a remarkable conference record of 160-1 and an impressive overall record of 310-39. In post-season competition, Wade helped guide the Rainbow Wahine to 11 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, six Regional Finals ('95, '96, '98, '00, '02, '03), and four Final Fours ('96, '00, '02, '03). Hawaii played in the NCAA Championship match in 1996. During his 11 years Hawai'i produced eight All-Americans and 18 All-America awards, including two National Players of the Year.

In addition the UH women's volleyball program has received national recognition for each recruiting class he brought to Hawai'i. He was 3-0 as head coach for the Rainbow Wahine, when Shoji was away from the team to attend to personal matters.

"Becoming the Head Coach at University of the Pacific is a great opportunity for me both personally and professionally," said Wade. "I am excited to have the responsibility of leading one of the elite programs in women's collegiate volleyball and humbled that Lynn King and the Pacific administration have entrusted in me this task."

"Pacific is among the nation's leaders in academic reputation & Stockton is a great community for my wife and I to continue to raise our family," continued Wade. "I am looking forward to becoming a part of the Pacific family and will use all of my talents to ensure Pacific Women's Volleyball will meet the high expectations of the players, boosters, alumni and community."

"We are really pleased to welcome Charlie Wade to the Pacific family," said King. "He brings an excellent background and a wealth of experience to this position. Charlie was a standout from the start of our search process and was impressive during his campus interview. He has a sincere appreciation for Pacific and our history. We are all excited to work with him."

Wade started his coaching career as a club coach in 1986, and founded the Magnum Volleyball Club, which is regarded by many collegiate coaches as one of the top junior programs in the country. He was the head coach of the Anaheim, Calif., club, and coached eventual Rainbow Wahine standouts Kristal Attwood, Kee Williams, Sarah Chase, Heather Bown and Jessica Sudduth. Former Tiger Tracy Chambers played for Wade at Magnum Volleyball Club.

He also founded the Southern California Volleyball Institute in 1993 and served as the executive director. The 17,000 square-foot volleyball training facility features four courts, offices, weight and training rooms and a pro shop.

Wade broke into collegiate coaching in the late 1980's and served as an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton for two years while finishing school. He earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology in 1991.

In his first five years with the Hawai'i program, Wade also coached the Rainbow Asics club team, where he coached Rainbow Wahine players in All-American Lily Kahumoku and All-WAC selection Nohea Tano, as well as former standout Margaret Vakasausau. Also on his teams were former Minnesota setter and current U.S. National Team member Lindsey Berg and former Loyola Marymount captain Kealani Kimball.

Wade is married to former University of Washington player Tani Martin.