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Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Announces the Establishment of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award

2014 Watch List Announced

Honolulu, HI (July 23, 2014) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the establishment of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, presented by Starwood Hotels and Resorts. It will be awarded annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity.

 The winner of the 2014 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year will be announced on December 9, 2014. Five finalists will be unveiled November 20. The formal presentation will be at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 23, 2015.

 “The Polynesian influence and prestige in football is at an all-time high, and rapidly expanding,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “This award was established to showcase the immense talent of our Polynesian student-athletes in college 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 2014 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which is composed of past college football head coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards and Ron McBride, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae and Hawai’i sportscaster Robert Kekaula.

 “The growth and success of college football players of Polynesian ancestry has been extraordinary,” said Dick Tomey, Selection Committee Chairman. “This award will shine a positive light on their wonderful accomplishments.”

POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2014 WATCH LIST

Player Name

School

Pos

Class

 

Player Name

School

Pos

Class

Kody Afusia

Hawai'i

OL

Soph

 

Marcus Mariota

Oregon

QB

Junior

DeForest Buckner

Oregon

DL

Junior

 

Nate Orchard

Utah

DL

Senior

Cyrus Coen

Wash. St.

LB

Senior

 

Jeremiah Poutasi

Utah

OL

Junior

Su'a Cravens

USC

S

Soph

 

Sonny Puletasi

Wyoming

DE

Senior

Ka'imi Fairbairn

UCLA

K

Junior

 

Sonny Sanitoa

UNLV

DL

Junior

Jake Fely

SDSU

LB

Senior

 

Ian Seau

Nevada

DE

Junior

Salamo Fiso

Arizona St

LB

Soph

 

Isaac Seumalo

Oregon St

C

Junior

Alani Fua

BYU

LB

Senior

 

Danny Shelton

Washington

DT

Senior

Edward Fusi

BYU

OL

Senior

 

Anu Solomon

Arizona

QB

Fresh

Ngalu Fusimalohi

Kansas

OL

Senior

 

Ronnie Stanley

Notre Dame

OL

Junior

Randall Goforth

UCLA

DB

Junior

 

Brian Suite

Utah St

S

Senior

Scott Harding

Hawai'i

R/P

Senior

 

Christian Tago

San Jose St

LB

Soph

Micah Hatchie

Washington

OL

Senior

 

John Tavai

USC

LB

Senior

Jeremy Ioane

Boise St

S

Senior

 

Vi Teofilo

Arizona St

OL

Junior

Joey Iosefa

Hawai'i

RB

Senior

 

John Timu

Washington

LB

Senior

Solomone Kafu

BYU

OL

Senior

 

Josh Tupou

Colorado

DL

Junior

Bronson Kaufusi

BYU

LB

Junior

 

Soma Vainuku

USC

FB

Junior

Hau'oli Kikaha

Washington

LB

Senior

 

Peni Vea

UNLV

DB

Junior

Sefo Liufau

Colorado

QB

Soph

 

Psalm Wooching

Washington

LB

Soph

Isaiah Folasa-Lutui

NMSU

OL

Junior

 

Beau Yap

Hawai'i

DL

Senior

Jaryl Mamea

UCF

DL

Senior

 

Mike Tuaua

TCU

DL

Junior

Juju Smith

USC

WR

Fresh

 

 Laiu Moeakiola

ASU

LB

Soph

About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. As a 501(C)(3) organization, the Hall of Fame serves as a resource for Polynesian football history, provides scholarships for Polynesian student-athletes and hosts educational programs for Polynesian youth.

On January 23, 2014, football legends Kurt Gouveia, Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae, Junior Seau, Jack Thompson, Herman Wedemeyer and Ken Niumatalolo were enshrined as the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inaugural Class.

www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org

www.Twitter.com/PolynesianFBHOF

www.Facebook.com/PolynesianFootballHallofFame