Tony Sellitto To Receive HPU’s Highest Honor

Tony Sellitto To receive Hawai‘i Pacific's highest honor

HONOLULU, HI - Hawai‘i Pacific University will award its highest accolade, the Fellow of the Pacific Award, to HPU Men's Basketball Coach Tony Sellitto.

The award will be presented to Sellitto in recognition of his achievements and contributions to Hawai‘i Pacific University, and serving as a sports ambassador to the state of Hawai‘i.

The award will be presented by Hawai‘i Pacific University President Chatt Wright this Saturday, February 20, at the conclusion of the HPU women's basketball game versus Dixie State College.

Both games feature a matchup of the top two teams in the PacWest, with the HPU men's and women's teams each holding a one-game lead over Dixie State.

The women's game begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, with the award presentation occurring between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m.

Sellitto, a living legend in Hawai`i athletics, has coached more than 40 years at the high school and collegiate levels, including 16 at HPU as both athletics director and head coach of the men's team.

"Tony the Tiger" prowled the HPU sidelines from 1988-2002 before retiring due to health reasons. During those 14 years, he posted 12 winning seasons with eight postseason appearances, eight 20-win seasons, and an overall record of 307-153 (.667).

From 1992 to 1997, the Sea Warriors were consistently ranked in the Top 10 of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). The hallmark of Sellitto's coaching career came in 1993 when he won the NAIA National Title, Hawaii's first and only collegiate basketball championship.

In 2008, after nearly six years "coaching from the couch" as he regained his health and stamina, Sellitto was coaxed out of his six-year retirement by President Chatt Wright and returned as head basketball coach for the Sea Warriors.

After a warm-up and recruiting year in 2009, this year Coach Sellitto delivered on his promise to President Wright. The Sea Warriors are currently 18-4 and hold the top spot in the PacWest Conference.

At the peak of his college career in the 1990's, his spirited coaching style and overall success earned Sellitto many endearing nicknames, many of which have stuck with him over the years.

As he prowled the sidelines at HPU with an unyielding eye for effort and a booming voice, "Tony the Tiger" expected nothing less than 110% from every HPU Sea Warrior he recruited and coached.

Yet, as fiery as he was on the court, the student-athletes under his tutelage were deeply appreciative of the care and concern he demonstrated for their welfare and success off the court, in the classroom and in their future careers.

To his close friends and associates, the "Italian Stallion" was the epitome of coaching prowess, dedicated family man and someone who was always there to lend a helping hand.

Sellitto's influence in Hawai‘i extends well beyond his contributions to the HPU community. Prior to his stellar career at Hawai'i Pacific University, he had tremendous success as Maryknoll High School's boys' basketball coach, also serving as the school's athletics director.

In 23 years at Maryknoll, he guided the boys' team to three consecutive Boys A titles and the school's first and only boys high school state championship in 1984. He amassed a 374-71 overall record during which he had three consecutive winning seasons and four state final appearances.

Sellitto was a 2009 inductee into the Maryknoll High School Hall of Fame for his years of service as Maryknoll's coach and athletics director.

Overall, Sellitto's lifetime coaching record at the high school and collegiate levels amounts to an outstanding 696-226 (.755).

In 1997, Sellitto received the Mackay Yanagisawa Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment, contributions, and achievements as a coach and educator in Hawai‘i. He was presented the award at the Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl.

All media members with camera crews should arrive by 2:15 p.m. for setup, and HPU personnel will be on site for any assistance. For any further questions, please contact Sports Information/Marketing Director John Barry at 292.1462.