for immediate release polynesian football hall of fame
Media Contact: Phil Hetu C. 702.715.5355 [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2016 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST At a glance:
Award to be presented to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian Ancestry. The 2016 Watch List is composed of 38 players from 24 different FBS schools. The Pac-12 Conference led all conferences with 16 players, followed by the Mountain West (6), Big 12 (2), Sun Belt (2), ACC (1), American Athletic (1), Big 10 (1), Conference USA (1), MidAmerican (1), SEC (1), and Independents (6).
Honolulu, HI (July 27, 2016) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the 2016 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. This award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Former University of Oregon, and current Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014 and former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley received last year’s honor. The winner of the 2016 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 7, 2016. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 17. The formal presentation of the award will be held at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 20, 2017. “It is remarkable that the first two recipients of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award went on to be drafted #2 overall (Marcus Mariota, 2015 NFL Draft) and #6 overall (Ronnie Stanley, 2016 NFL Draft) respectively,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “This award allows us to showcase the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football.” The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2016-2017 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes Coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL player personnel legend Gil Brandt and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jesse Sapolu ● Ma’a Tanuvasa ● Vai Sikahema ● Troy Polamalu ● June Jones ● Reno Mahe
P.O. Box 11266 ● Honolulu, HI 96828 ● www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org
Media Contact: Phil Hetu C. 702.715.5355 [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016 WATCH LIST First Name Last Name School Position Class Ricky Ali'ifua Utah State DL Senior Isaac Asiata Utah OL Senior Asotui Eli Hawai'i Center Soph Salesa Faraimo Nevada DL Senior Breiden Fehoko Texas Tech DL Soph Salamo Fiso Arizona State LB Senior Randall Goforth UCLA DB Soph Cole Hikutini Louisville TE Senior Nate Iese UCLA TE/FB Senior Canton Kaumatule Oregon DL Soph Harvey Langi BYU LB Senior Inoke Langi Texas State TE/LS Soph Ului Lapuaho BYU OL Junior Darrin Laufasa UTEP FB Senior Sefo Liufau Colorado QB Senior Toa Lobendahn USC OL Junior Tau Lotulelei UNLV LB Senior About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Lowell Lotulelei Utah DT Junior Shalom Luani Washington State Safety Senior
First Name Tueni Damien Brandon Hercules Christian Viliami Kai Olive Dru JuJu Anu Logan Christian Pita Sae Jahlani Maea Travis Josh
Last Name School Position Class Lupeamanu Idaho DL Senior Mama USC OL Junior Manosalvas Buffalo OL Junior Mata'afa Washington State DE Soph Matau East Carolina OL Junior Moeakiola Arizona State LB Senior Nacua BYU DB Senior Sagapolu Wisconsin DT Soph Samia Oklahoma OL Soph Smith-Schuster USC WR Junior Solomon Arizona QB Junior Taele BYU DL Senior Tago San Jose State LB Senior Taumoepenu Utah DE Senior Tautu BYU DL Senior Tavai Hawai'i LB Soph Teuhema LSU OL Soph Tuiloma BYU DL Senior Tupou Colorado DL Senior
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. As a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, the Hall of Fame serves as a resource for Polynesian football history, provides scholarships for Polynesian student-athletes and supports educational programs for Polynesian youth. www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org www.Twitter.com/PolynesianFBHOF www.Facebook.com/PolynesianFootballHallofFame
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jesse Sapolu ● Ma’a Tanuvasa ● Vai Sikahema ● Troy Polamalu ● June Jones ● Reno Mahe
P.O. Box 11266 ● Honolulu, HI 96828 ● www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2016 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST At a glance:
Award to be presented to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian Ancestry. The 2016 Watch List is composed of 38 players from 24 different FBS schools. The Pac-12 Conference led all conferences with 16 players, followed by the Mountain West (6), Big 12 (2), Sun Belt (2), ACC (1), American Athletic (1), Big 10 (1), Conference USA (1), MidAmerican (1), SEC (1), and Independents (6).
Honolulu, HI (July 27, 2016) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the 2016 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. This award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Former University of Oregon, and current Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014 and former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley received last year’s honor. The winner of the 2016 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 7, 2016. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 17. The formal presentation of the award will be held at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 20, 2017. “It is remarkable that the first two recipients of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award went on to be drafted #2 overall (Marcus Mariota, 2015 NFL Draft) and #6 overall (Ronnie Stanley, 2016 NFL Draft) respectively,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “This award allows us to showcase the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football.” The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2016-2017 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes Coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL player personnel legend Gil Brandt and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jesse Sapolu ● Ma’a Tanuvasa ● Vai Sikahema ● Troy Polamalu ● June Jones ● Reno Mahe
P.O. Box 11266 ● Honolulu, HI 96828 ● www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org
Media Contact: Phil Hetu C. 702.715.5355 [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016 WATCH LIST First Name Last Name School Position Class Ricky Ali'ifua Utah State DL Senior Isaac Asiata Utah OL Senior Asotui Eli Hawai'i Center Soph Salesa Faraimo Nevada DL Senior Breiden Fehoko Texas Tech DL Soph Salamo Fiso Arizona State LB Senior Randall Goforth UCLA DB Soph Cole Hikutini Louisville TE Senior Nate Iese UCLA TE/FB Senior Canton Kaumatule Oregon DL Soph Harvey Langi BYU LB Senior Inoke Langi Texas State TE/LS Soph Ului Lapuaho BYU OL Junior Darrin Laufasa UTEP FB Senior Sefo Liufau Colorado QB Senior Toa Lobendahn USC OL Junior Tau Lotulelei UNLV LB Senior About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Lowell Lotulelei Utah DT Junior Shalom Luani Washington State Safety Senior
First Name Tueni Damien Brandon Hercules Christian Viliami Kai Olive Dru JuJu Anu Logan Christian Pita Sae Jahlani Maea Travis Josh
Last Name School Position Class Lupeamanu Idaho DL Senior Mama USC OL Junior Manosalvas Buffalo OL Junior Mata'afa Washington State DE Soph Matau East Carolina OL Junior Moeakiola Arizona State LB Senior Nacua BYU DB Senior Sagapolu Wisconsin DT Soph Samia Oklahoma OL Soph Smith-Schuster USC WR Junior Solomon Arizona QB Junior Taele BYU DL Senior Tago San Jose State LB Senior Taumoepenu Utah DE Senior Tautu BYU DL Senior Tavai Hawai'i LB Soph Teuhema LSU OL Soph Tuiloma BYU DL Senior Tupou Colorado DL Senior
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. As a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, the Hall of Fame serves as a resource for Polynesian football history, provides scholarships for Polynesian student-athletes and supports educational programs for Polynesian youth. www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org www.Twitter.com/PolynesianFBHOF www.Facebook.com/PolynesianFootballHallofFame
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jesse Sapolu ● Ma’a Tanuvasa ● Vai Sikahema ● Troy Polamalu ● June Jones ● Reno Mahe
P.O. Box 11266 ● Honolulu, HI 96828 ● www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org
