By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

This time of the football season other teams have quarterback controversies and we have...

A music controversy?

Other places are concerned about their running games and we are debating...

Which tunes the players will run out of the tunnel to?

It seems UH can't start a football season without some peripheral issue. If it isn't the governor and football coach going at it (1997), it is the logo (2000), the turf (2002), the quarterback being suspended (2003) or, now, the music.

In this latest installment, the University of Hawai'i's plan to launch six new Polynesian-themed musical tracks during player introductions and celebrations, etc., has struck an instant sour note among some fans and a television anchor.

Some have heard the music online and didn't care for it. Some, it appears, just don't want a change, period. Others want June Jones, whose Hollywood composer friend put the tracks together, to just coach the football team and leave the music to the band.

How about if everybody takes a deep breath and we wait until the season opener a week from tomorrow night to see how the whole thing actually sounds?

One thing you can say about Aloha Stadium fans, they aren't shy about expressing an opinion, whether it is the choice of plays, quarterbacks or mascots. Let that be your referendum.

As long as you have Mike Post, the Grammy- and Emmy-winning composer responsible for the themes from "Law & Order," "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law" and other television programs, overseeing the new tracks and willing to donate his time and talent to the project, what does it hurt to listen? It isn't like five guys in their garage in Kaimuki put this thing together and sent in a cassette tape.

If the thing works — as some who have heard it on quality speakers insist it will — then UH might be on to something here. In the niche world of college football, it never hurts to have something different and catchy, especially when you're more than 2,500 miles away from the mainstream as UH is.

If fans and players turn a thumbs down on the music, then you can chuck it in the trash can with the old marshmallow mascot, Steinberg contract and H-Club idea. At least UH says it isn't out any money to Post and the Warriors can always dust off the old favorite, "Hawaii Five-O," that has been on the shelf for several years.

In the meantime, just the talk of introducing new music has made the opener a lot more interesting. And, with Florida Atlantic coming to town, who would have expected that?

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.