Lee hired as new Southwest girls’ basketball coach

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor

GREEN BAY – It’s been quite an eventful four months for the Green Bay Southwest High School girls’ basketball program.

After former Head Coach Berri West resigned after this past season, the district hired Jacob Polfus from the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan.

Shortly thereafter, Polfus accepted another coaching position in the U.P. and resigned from the Southwest job.

Enter Tony Lee.

Amy Hogan, Southwest director of activities and athletics, recently announced the hiring of Lee to take over the program.

“Tony will be a nice addition to the Southwest coaching staff,” Hogan said.

Lee, who has been an assistant coach in the district for several years, said he’s excited and thrilled to get the job.

“Everybody knows what happened (with two coaches resigning), but I’m coming in with a fresh start,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any added pressure on me knowing what happened – it’s in the past.”

The 48-year-old Lee, a 1992 Southwest graduate, said he knows how important athletics are to the school.

“I also played at Southwest and my (two) kids will be going to Southwest when they’re old enough,” he said. “I’ve been involved with the youth program. You could say I’m Southwest through and through – it’s a great fit.”

Lee said he’s expecting a smooth transition.

“Because I’ve been involved with the program – I know some of the girls – I don’t expect there to be any issues,” he said. “I know there’s always a transition from one coach to the next, but I think I have good communication skills – that will help.”

Although this is Lee’s first varsity head coaching job, he said he’s not worried about the strength of the Fox River Classic Conference (FRCC) – one of the best conferences in the state.

“It will be a challenge,” Lee laughed. “I’m up for it, and I know the team will be up for it, too.”

Notre Dame Academy is the two-time defending Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 state champion, and De Pere made it to the Division 1 state tournament last season.

“The stronger competition we play in the FRCC will only help us,” Lee said.

Lee said he feels his openness as a coach is another strength.

“We’ll be mentally tough,” he said. “We have high character girls. We’ll play strong defense, and run when it’s applicable. It will come down to what we can do as a team. I’ll coach to the strengths of the girls.”

Lee said coaching the varsity girls to a high level isn’t the only thing he hopes to accomplish.

“I also want to get our youth program stronger,” he said. “Both of my kids are currently involved in the youth program – that’s a main goal of mine.”