FROM his vantage point in the Special Events Arena Saturday night, Mike Normand felt pretty comfortable with the seat he had. Had fate sent the volleyball in another direction, it would have been Normand on the sidelines, coaching the University of Hawaii against his alma mater UCLA, and not Mike Wilton. New Waves coach
can see the futureInstead, the 49-year-old former national team player was able to enjoy the Bruins' victory while thinking about winning some more matches of his own. The newly named coach of the Hawaii Waves women's professional team is looking forward to the challenge of returning pro volleyball to the islands.
The Waves, one of five teams in the Professional Volleyball League, are scheduled to open the inaugural season Feb. 8 in Santa Barbara. Hawaii's home opener is Feb. 15, tentatively set for Brigham Young-Hawaii's Cannon Activities Center.
"I think it's an excellent idea to start a pro team in Hawaii," Normand said. "Especially with the support the community has always shown the Wahine and now with the men's program.
"Of course, there's going to be the same problems you have when basing a team here. You get eaten alive by the travel. That's always going to be tough."
IT may be the high price for living in Hawaii but it's an expense that Normand chose to take on in 1992 when he moved his family from Los Angeles.
"I wanted to get away from the violence of L.A.," said the former setter known as Stormin' Normand. "I wanted to be where it was still safe for my family. I always liked coming to Hawaii, surfing, paddling, playing volleyball."
He found a haven and volleyball heaven all in the same spot. Normand was a finalist for the UH men's job that went to Wilton; he doesn't think of the what-ifs.
"I'm comfortable with myself and what I'm doing," he said.
And he likes what he's doing, which is developing players. Normand's done it at every level, from club to college to international.
While teaching art and science at Damien High, he worked with the La Pietra intermediate team. Last summer, he took over as Iolani School varsity boys coach.
The former men's and women's coach at Loyola Marymount now returns to the women's game.
"I'm looking forward to this," Normand said. "It's a step above good college play. They're mature, they hustle. We'll be a good team.
"It was hard to select the final 10. There's a lot of good ex-players in Hawaii and the competition was tough. I was surprised at the quality because these were players I didn't hear a lot about when they were in college. We'll be short but we'll play excellent defense."
THE roster is comprised mostly of non-NCAA Division I stars such as Tanya Fuamatu (Hawaii-Hilo), Lei Kaisa and Irae Utu (both from Brigham Young-Hawaii).
There's no question the talent is there and the level of play will be high. But one has to ask whether fans in Hawaii want to support another volleyball team.
"There's a statistic that says 80 percent of new small businesses fail after two years because there's not enough backing," Normand said.
It's a viable product that needs a viable home. Cannon is beautiful but even Normand has tired of the commute from his Aina Haina home. His thoughts are of finding a gym in town.
"I'd be happy with 300 to 400 people a night," said Normand said. "The way I look it, Alan Rosehill did a wonderful job when he was coaching the Hawaii men's team. They had tremendous teams that were a swing away from the final four. Each coach gave that program a little impetus and they (Rainbows) would not be where they are now without those stepping stones."
From his seat at the sold-out Special Events Arena, Normand could see his future.
Cindy Luis is a Star-Bulletin sportswriter.
Her column appears weekly.