HH: So how long have you been playing basketball?
FV: I've been playing basketball since I was twelve or thirteen.

HH: Is basketball becoming more and more popular in Bulgaria all the time?
FV: Yes, all the time. Actually it started to become much more popular around 1992 or '93 when the NBA started.....they started showing games there on television.

HH: Do you have a favorite NBA player?
FV: Michael Jordan. But I like a lot of other players as well.

HH: What were the main reasons you chose Western?
FV: The main reason was to get an education and to play basketball. I think the coaching staff is very good.....they did a very good job of recruiting me.
HH: Did Coach McDonald do most of the recruiting on you?
FV: Yes. Coach Felton even came to my country and saw me.

HH: How is life different in America and at Western than from your hometown in Bulgaria?
FV: Well, it's much, much different. First of all, it's two different cultures. The values that we have at home in Bulgaria are different from America. And at Western particularly, there's a lot of work You don't have much free time in the day.

HH: What's the best and worst things you've found about life in America so far? What's your favorite thing?
FV: My favorite thing probably is......well, the opportunity that it offers. There is everything you need.

HH: Are you able to keep in touch with your family very much?
FV: Yes. I use e-mail messages a lot. And I talk to them almost every week.
HH: Your parents are engineers right?
FV: Yes.
HH: What kind? Mechanical, electrical??
FV: They work in a nuclear power plant.

HH: What do you think your strength is as a player?  I know you've got a good turn-around jump shot, is that probably your best weapon?
FV: Oh yeah. It's one of my good shots. But I also like to penetrate to the basket and rebound.

HH: What do you enjoy the most, scoring rebounding, passing.....?
FV: When I was younger I liked scoring a lot,  but right now I just....like everything.
HH: Just being a team player?
FV: Yes.

HH: What do you think about the team as a whole? Do you see a lot of talent and a lot of potential with these guys?
FV: Yes. I see a lot of potential. We are a very young team but we will be very good. I believe that the coaches will make us much better.

HH: What are your goals for this team this year, and maybe four years down the road?
FV: As a whole, and for me,......I want to get an NCAA Championship. But this year would be a great success if we could just go to the NCAA Tournament. Of course that's the first step. We've got to take it one step at a time.

HH: What are your career goals after college? Do you want to stay over here or go back to Bulgaria?
FV: That depends on what kind of opportunities I have. I'm positive that I want to play basketball....professional basketball. If I cannot accomplish that here I will go back to Europe and play.

HH: What are you majoring in? Have you decided yet?
FV: I haven't decided yet. I'm interested in economics, but my real interest is in architecture.

HH: Well, how do you like Western and the city here? I know you probably come from a lot larger town than Bowling Green?
FV: Yeah. Still, I like it here. I like the people, they are very nice. The only thing I don't like is that Hill (Laughs). I have to climb up that Hill every day.
HH: It'll get you in shape. But I'm sure Coach Felton does that though?
FV: (LAUGHS) Yep.

HH: Which of the players on the team have impresed you the most? Who do you think is going to stand out this year?
FV: The returning players....I think all of them. Derek Robinson is very fast and a good shooter. All of them are very good. As far as the freshmen, I like them all. There's really not one that's like so much better than the others or anything.
HH: Yeah, I haven't seen very many teams up here this deep. It looks like everybody can play and contribute.
FV: Yes. I think so.

HH: Did you know Todor before you went to prep school last year?
FV: I knew him for about three years before that. We played together on the national team.

HH: Alright, thanks a lot Filip.
FV: Thank You.

10/29/99