The man whose name is the answer to my favorite local sports trivia question holds a job that is by no means trivial.
First guy to throw a touchdown pass at Aloha Stadium? No, not Alex Kaloi for the University of Hawaii against Texas A&I. It was Scott Chan, the day before, Sept. 12, 1975, for Kaiser High School.
And now, Chan runs Aloha Stadium as its manager. I agree with many, he does it well and deserves the raise that brings him up to $118,500 a year.
As for the volunteer, governor-appointed Aloha Stadium Authority to which Chan reports: Is it really needed? You could argue it is, especially now since more people, even decision-makers, are coming around to the idea of a new facility being needed soon.
But the Legislature is going to ultimately make the final decisions on when, where and how much. It should be involved at some level in the process now.
If the Stadium Authority must exist, it should be renamed the stadium advisory board, help facilitate better deals for the University of Hawaii and other tenants when possible, and not worry about the day-to-day operations its six-figure-salaried manager and his staff can handle more efficiently without interference.
The Legislature also should try to revise laws that force the stadium to balance its books at the expense of its primary tenant, UH football.
UH has worked out a deal with stadium vendor Centerplate to make some money off apparel sales on game days, so that’s a start.
» Has anyone ever heard of a younger Hall of Fame inductee in any sport than Carissa Moore?
Good for her. The 21-year-old two-time surfing world champ from Palolo is a great ambassador for her sport and Hawaii.
At the other end of the spectrum, Ray Guy, 64, had to wait 28 years after retirement as the greatest punter in football history to enter his sport’s Hall of Fame on Saturday.
» Two sad, way-too-early losses in the Hawaii sports community as Scott Metcalf and Tyler Williams died last week.
Metcalf was a soccer and volleyball standout at Punahou. He went on to serve for decades as a quiet but effective facilities manager at his alma mater, a steady presence at many sports events. Services are set for Hemmeter Fieldhouse from 2:30 to 4 p.m. today.
Williams, an offensive lineman known for incredible strength, played football at Kamehameha on the 2004 state championship team and at Utah prior to returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach.
» If you were surprised Kurt Suzuki — the Baldwin product enjoying a career year — was re-signed by the Twins instead of being dealt to a contender at the trading deadline, don’t be.
Red Sox catcher David Ross explained in an interview the sensical reason why catchers are rarely moved during the season to teams in pennant races: It’s too difficult to develop a rapport with a new pitching staff on the fly.
» I love the sound of whistles in the afternoon. Sounds like … football.
But it’s hard to get used to how early the high school season starts now. Remember to hydrate, everybody.
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.