Fans sold on having Lee as Islanders coach
| • | Lee, Islanders open with 48-37 victory |
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
For Hawaiian Islanders rookie head coach Cal Lee, it was difficult to tell what was pounding louder in his professional football debut — the hundreds of noisemakers in the crowd or his heart.
A crowd of 2,247 watched the legendary former Saint Louis School football coach win his first arenafootball2 game, 48-37, against the expansion Green Bay Blizzard last night at Blaisdell Arena.
"Anytime you start something new, you're excited," Lee said. "I don't think I've had more butterflies in this game because it was something brand-spanking new. The emotions were very high. My blood pressure and my pulse were way up there. Believe me."
Islanders defensive lineman/ tight end Taulia Lave gave Lee an "A" grade in his pro coaching debut. Lee said he felt that was too generous.
"I never give myself a big grade, maybe a 'C,' " Lee said. "I never give myself an 'A.' I know we have to work harder to get a better grade."
Last night's attendance was down from last season's home opener when 4,376 fans saw the Islanders beat the Fresno Frenzy, 50-47. The Islanders averaged an announced crowd of 3,600 in eight homes games last season.
Nonetheless, Lee said he was impressed with the enthusiasm of last night's crowd.
"It seemed like there was 6,000 people the way they made the noise," Lee said. "It was very helpful for the players for the support they showed. I think it will catch on. People who have seen this game, they'll be back because it was an exciting game all the way to the end."
The Islanders play eight of their 16 games this season at Blaisdell Arena, which has a capacity of 6,443 in the arenafootball2 configuration.
Islanders owner Kimberly Wang said the team sold 16 season tickets last season and 1,200 this season.
Wang said season ticket sales — ranging in price from $65 for the upper bowl and $80 for the lower bowl — doubled after Lee was announced as the head coach on October 23.
"I think we sold 300 to 600 season tickets before (Lee) was announced as head coach," Wang said. "Our goal was to have the lower bowl (800 seats) sold out for season tickets."
One person who knows about football ticket sales is University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones. He called Lee's hiring as Islanders head coach a "positive thing."
"I think the Islanders did the right thing," said Jones, who watched last night's game with UH athletic director Herman Frazier. "The bottom line is selling tickets and Cal's a winner. He's going to attract a lot of players who want to play for him."
Fans like Mike Quartero, 28, of Kaimuki, said Lee will lure more first-time fans like himself.
"He can definitely draw more people in," said Quartero. "I had the time (tonight), so I came by to check it out."
Craig Wong, 32, of Kapahulu, said Lee brings "enthusiasm and new energy" to the Islanders.
"He's a championship-caliber coach," said Wong. "He's good for the state and good for UH. There's a lot of players on the team from UH."
Kalani Smith, 41, of Kaimuki, said he has high hopes for Lee and the Islanders. He called Lee's hiring a "great idea."
"He's definitely proven himself as a high school coach," said Smith. "He can only improve the Hawaiian Islanders. He's got the experience and knowledge. I don't think you can have a quality team without a quality coach."
