Islanders' coach Lee steps into new arena
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
When Cal Lee speaks, his players listen.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
He's a proven motivator, strategist and winner.
Quarterback Darnell Arceneaux played for new Islanders coach Cal Lee when both were at Saint Louis School.
He has the respect of many.
"When he speaks it's eyes open, ears open, everybody's listening," Hawaiian Islanders quarterback Darnell Arceneaux said of Lee. "His demeanor is so professional. Some days you come out you're not ready to practice and he just talks to you and you're ready to go back to war."
Lee's accomplishments during his 21-year career at Saint Louis School speak for themselves: 241-32-5 record, 18 Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles, 14 O'ahu Prep Bowl victories and the inaugural state championship in 1999.
But when Lee, who resigned as Crusaders coach in November 2001, takes the field for the first time as head coach of the Islanders on March 30, he'll be running Hawai'i's only professional sports franchise and the arena game isn't traditional football.
There are eight players per side, a 50-yard field, end zone rebound nets and padded walls closely surrounding the field.
March 30—Green Bay Blizzard April 4—at Quad City Steamwheelers April 19—at Bakersfield Blitz April 26—San Diego Riptide May 3—at Wichita Stealth May 10—Bakersfield Blitz May 16—Wichita Stealth May 24—at Cincinnati Swarm May 31—Louisville Fire June 7—at Arkansas Twisters June 14—Peoria Pirates June 21—at San Diego Riptide June 28—Quad City Steamwheelers July 12—at Tulsa Talons July 18—at San Diego Riptide July 27—Bakersfield Blitz Home games at Blaisdell Arena
Arena football also has rules on pass rushing, alignments and player participation.
Islanders 2003 Schedule
So the playbook Lee used at Saint Louis will be of no use to him and he'll need to get used to the league's rule book.
"Rules I think are what you really have to understand," Lee said. "Every day you learn a little bit more about the rules about arena football."
Lee will benefit from two returning coaches in defensive coordinator Doug Semones and linebackers/fullbacks coach Darren Hernandez, and a team that has 16 returning players from a 5-11 inaugural season.
"The returnees are a big plus for you when ever you have guys who played arena last year," Lee said. "They know the game and how it should be played."
The Islanders' top returning players are Arceneaux and receiver Nian Taylor.
Arceneaux, who played under Lee at Saint Louis, set af2 records last season by rushing for 439 yards and 26 touchdowns.
He started all 16 games and completed 238 of 498 passes for 3,100 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Taylor joined the Islanders last season after playing eight games with the Richmond Speed of af2.
In five games, Taylor caught 30 passes for 550 yards and 11 TDs.
