polynesian football hall of fame announces 2017 polynesian college ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Phil Hetu C. 702.715.5355 [email protected]
POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2017 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. Watch List is composed of 48 players from 30 different FBS schools. Players per Conference: Mountain West (15), Pac-12 (14), Big-12 (3), Mid-American (3), SEC (2), Big 10 (2), ACC (1), American Athletic (1), Conference USA (1) and Independent (6).
Honolulu, HI (August 10, 2017) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the 2017 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. The 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; former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley received the award in 2015; and University of Colorado at Boulder, and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Sefo Liufau received the award last year. The winner of the 2017 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 14, 2017. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 30. The presentation of the award will be held at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 21, 2018 in Honolulu, Hawai’i. “The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has quickly become one of the most prestigious awards in college football,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “More than 500 players of Polynesian ancestry are playing Division I football today.” The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2017-2018 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), Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL player personnel legend Gil Brandt, NFL Network writer and commentator Steve Wyche, and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
P.O. Box 11266 ● Honolulu, HI 96828 ● www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org
Media Contact: Phil Hetu C. 702.715.5355 [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2017 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST First Name Cleon Sean Francis Daniel Asotui Alohi Manase Tuni Corbin Meffy Jeremiah Ronley Moroni Gus Nifae Jimmy Ray Toa Lowell Kavika Vavae Brandon Hercules David
Last Name Aloese Auwae-McMoore Bernard Ekuale Eli Gilman Hungalu Kanuch Kaufusi Koloamatangi Kolone Lakalaka Laulu-Pututau Lavaka Lealao Leatiota Lima Lobendahn Lotulelei Luafatasaga Malepeai Manosalvas Mata’afa Moa
School Ohio University Vanderbilt BYU Washington State Hawaii Notre Dame Oregon State BYU BYU Hawaii San Jose State San Diego State BYU Oregon State Vanderbilt Eastern Michigan Iowa State USC Utah Utah USC Buffalo Washington State Boise State
Position DL C LB DL OL S LB OL DL DL OG LB TE OL DL OL DL OL DL LB RB OL DL DT
Class Senior Freshman Junior Senior Junior Sophomore Senior Senior Junior Senior Senior Junior Junior Sophomore Senior Sophomore Sophomore Senior Senior Senior Freshman Sophomore Junior Junior
First Name Viane Filipo Bryan Andrew Nela Butch Jarvis Justin Olive Dru Gabriel Viane Josiah Sunia Jahlani Keoni Justus Ian Jacob Salesi Metuisela John Patrick Vita
Last Name Moala Mokofisi Mone Motuapuaka Otukolo Pau'u Polu Polu Sagapolu Samia Sewell Talamaivao Tauaefa Tauteoli Tavai Taylor Te'i Togiai Tuioti-Mariner Uhatafe `Unga Ursua Vahe Vea
School Hawaii Utah Michigan Virgina Tech Fresno State BYU Navy UNLV Wisconsin Oklahoma Nevada USC UTSA Utah Hawaii San Jose State Utah State Utah State UCLA Utah Hawaii Hawaii Texas Washington
Position DL DL DL LB LB LB DL OL DL OL LB OL DT LB LB C LB DL DL OL TE WR OL DL
Class Sophomore Senior Senior Senior Junior Junior Junior Sophomore Junior Junior Sophomore Senior Sophomore Junior Junior Senior Sophomore Senior Senior Senior Senior Sophomore Junior Senior
About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. It also serves as a resource for Polynesian football history, supports cultural and educational programs, including the award of nearly $200,000 in college scholarships. Founded in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu (Chairman) and Ma’a Tanuvasa (Vice-Chairman), other board members include Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, June Jones and Reno Mahe. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center (Laie, Hawai`i). www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org www.Twitter.com/PolynesianFBHOF www.Facebook.com/PolynesianFootballHallofFame
P.O. Box 11266 ● Honolulu, HI 96828 ● www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org
Media Contact: Phil Hetu C. 702.715.5355 [email protected]
POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2017 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. Watch List is composed of 48 players from 30 different FBS schools. Players per Conference: Mountain West (15), Pac-12 (14), Big-12 (3), Mid-American (3), SEC (2), Big 10 (2), ACC (1), American Athletic (1), Conference USA (1) and Independent (6).
Honolulu, HI (August 10, 2017) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the 2017 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. The 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; former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley received the award in 2015; and University of Colorado at Boulder, and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Sefo Liufau received the award last year. The winner of the 2017 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 14, 2017. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 30. The presentation of the award will be held at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 21, 2018 in Honolulu, Hawai’i. “The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has quickly become one of the most prestigious awards in college football,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “More than 500 players of Polynesian ancestry are playing Division I football today.” The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2017-2018 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), Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL player personnel legend Gil Brandt, NFL Network writer and commentator Steve Wyche, and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
P.O. Box 11266 ● Honolulu, HI 96828 ● www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org
Media Contact: Phil Hetu C. 702.715.5355 [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2017 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST First Name Cleon Sean Francis Daniel Asotui Alohi Manase Tuni Corbin Meffy Jeremiah Ronley Moroni Gus Nifae Jimmy Ray Toa Lowell Kavika Vavae Brandon Hercules David
Last Name Aloese Auwae-McMoore Bernard Ekuale Eli Gilman Hungalu Kanuch Kaufusi Koloamatangi Kolone Lakalaka Laulu-Pututau Lavaka Lealao Leatiota Lima Lobendahn Lotulelei Luafatasaga Malepeai Manosalvas Mata’afa Moa
School Ohio University Vanderbilt BYU Washington State Hawaii Notre Dame Oregon State BYU BYU Hawaii San Jose State San Diego State BYU Oregon State Vanderbilt Eastern Michigan Iowa State USC Utah Utah USC Buffalo Washington State Boise State
Position DL C LB DL OL S LB OL DL DL OG LB TE OL DL OL DL OL DL LB RB OL DL DT
Class Senior Freshman Junior Senior Junior Sophomore Senior Senior Junior Senior Senior Junior Junior Sophomore Senior Sophomore Sophomore Senior Senior Senior Freshman Sophomore Junior Junior
First Name Viane Filipo Bryan Andrew Nela Butch Jarvis Justin Olive Dru Gabriel Viane Josiah Sunia Jahlani Keoni Justus Ian Jacob Salesi Metuisela John Patrick Vita
Last Name Moala Mokofisi Mone Motuapuaka Otukolo Pau'u Polu Polu Sagapolu Samia Sewell Talamaivao Tauaefa Tauteoli Tavai Taylor Te'i Togiai Tuioti-Mariner Uhatafe `Unga Ursua Vahe Vea
School Hawaii Utah Michigan Virgina Tech Fresno State BYU Navy UNLV Wisconsin Oklahoma Nevada USC UTSA Utah Hawaii San Jose State Utah State Utah State UCLA Utah Hawaii Hawaii Texas Washington
Position DL DL DL LB LB LB DL OL DL OL LB OL DT LB LB C LB DL DL OL TE WR OL DL
Class Sophomore Senior Senior Senior Junior Junior Junior Sophomore Junior Junior Sophomore Senior Sophomore Junior Junior Senior Sophomore Senior Senior Senior Senior Sophomore Junior Senior
About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. It also serves as a resource for Polynesian football history, supports cultural and educational programs, including the award of nearly $200,000 in college scholarships. Founded in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu (Chairman) and Ma’a Tanuvasa (Vice-Chairman), other board members include Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, June Jones and Reno Mahe. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center (Laie, Hawai`i). www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org www.Twitter.com/PolynesianFBHOF www.Facebook.com/PolynesianFootballHallofFame
P.O. Box 11266 ● Honolulu, HI 96828 ● www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org
