Coach Look Responds

April 15, 2009
Filed under Editorials

Dear Imua ‘Iolani,

This is a response to Katherine Lum’s “Sports editorial: Athletes demand equality” in the recent Imua ‘Iolani. Like Katherine, I commend our student athletes for their outstanding jobs in representing our school. As a coach, teacher, parent and alumnus, I truly understand the many demands placed on our student athletes. I am amazed by how they achieve as much as they do in academic, athletic and performing arts arenas. They not only participate but excel and set high standards for other student athletes to emulate.

With that said, I would like to set the record straight regarding several facts and correct Katherine’s misconceptions about our football team.

1) “The football player’s lunch is also free.” FACT: The team is provided a pre-game meal funded by myself and the football team. `Iolani School does not incur any expense for these meals. The costs for the meals do not come out of the athletic budget or other school funds.

2) “I, too, would like to have a chapel service.” FACT: All athletic teams have the opportunity to arrange chapel services through Rev. Daniel Leatherman. All coaches receive information during the pre-season coaches meeting regarding chapel services being available for their teams. Section 6 in the `Iolani coaching manual is dedicated to Chapel.

3) “Cross country runners have a fairly inexpensive sport…but we buy our own team shirts, shorts and shoes.” FACT: The football players along with the soccer, volleyball, track and swimmers also buy their team shirts, shorts and shoes. For games and practice, we wear the uniforms and use equipment provided by the athletic department.

4) “For weekday meets, once we get out of school, we board the bus to the meet.” (For the record, cross country meets, except for one intermediate meet, are held on Saturdays.) FACT: Regardless if we play on a weekday or a weekend, our pre-game schedule remains the same. We meet 4 hours before game time to prepare.

5) “…but we should be treated with the same respect as the football players.” FACT: All student athletes at `Iolani are treated with respect. We are provided with the finest athletic facilities, quality equipment and uniforms, supportive athletic staff (equipment room, trainers and office and field personnel) and the most dedicated, devoted and committed coaching staff in the state.

Imua ‘Iolani is an awarding winning publication. It is another fine example of the exemplary and diverse work that our students and student-athletes excel in. I would not want any inaccuracies in their information or editorial views to deter them from receiving future accolades.

Equality is defined as the state or quality of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunity. Equality does not mean every sport doing the same thing. It does mean every sport being given the same opportunities.

By responding to Katherine, I hope this clears up any misunderstandings and misconceptions regarding our football program and that respect be given to all of our athletes. Along with my football program, I strongly believe, live and breathe this motto: It’s not “my team” but “ONE TEAM.”

Aloha & Mahalo,
Coach Look

Editor’s note: While the money for the players’ lunches does not come from the school, football players do receive free lunches funded by outside donations.