"I have confidence in Steve Cobb,'' Case said. "What doesn't resonate as well with some hockey people is we're a Division II school and our Division II sports are in the top four percent in the nation.
"That's something I don't take lightly. That says a lot. I was talking to (Great Northwest Athletic Conference commissioner) Dave Haglund recently, and he told me it was OK to share this: In his experience, Steve is probably the best athletic director in the conference.
"That's not compelling to our hockey fans, maybe, but it is to me.''
Still, Case said, he understands hockey, despite faltering attendance, carries a much higher profile than the school's Division II sports.
"I do recognize hockey has a special role,'' he said. "It's part of the culture in Alaska.''
"This is the same way we've hired our other coaches,'' Case said. "We've used robust public forums like we are now, and we've reached out to alumni and the community.''
Case said he has received numerous emails and phone calls critical of Cobb and the process for hiring a new coach, and that he has answered many. He said he has scheduled meetings next week with some former Seawolves hockey players.
"We are trying, and we are listening, and we'll see how things develop,'' Case said. "We've got a lot of positive support for Steve too, and some negative, the majority from the hockey community. We're reaching out, we're hoping people with concerns will continue to attend the forums.''
Case said he believes UAA's administration and its hockey community share a common goal of elevating a moribund hockey program.
"I think we (all) want a vibrant Seawolf hockey program,'' Case said. "We want to be successful, we want a winning team, we want to pack Sullivan Arena.
"How do we get there? The first way is to hire a great coach.''
