Wiltjer attended
Parkland Secondary School for high school, where in 1979, he led the team to Island championship and the semifinals of the BC high school championship. Witljer then played two seasons for Northern Idaho College (1979 - 1981). Prior to 2009, he was NIC's only first-team NJCAA basketball All-American. He led NIC to the most wins in school history in 1980 and a 10th place national finish. He still ranks fourth in NIC career rebounding and field goal percentage. The next season Wiltjer transferred to
Oregon State University, with the Beavers reaching the
NCAA Elite Eight that season. Wiltjer then transferred to the University of Victoria and after a mandatory year of non-play due to the transfer, he helped UVic win their fifth consecutive national championship in the 1983–84 season. During this season, he was named a First Team All-Canadian, the CIAU Championship MVP and Canada West First Team All-Star. He averaged over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game and helped UVic go undefeated that season. ==Post career==