Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2016 Finalists

At a glance:

Finalists have been selected from over 200 nominees.
Finalists represent 17 Pro Bowl selections and 14 NFL & Super Bowl Championships.
The Class of 2016 Inductees will be announced on October 7, 2015.
Inductees will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 29 & 30, 2016 in Oahu, Hawai’i.

HONOLULU, HI (September 10, 2015) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today 25 Finalists will be on the ballot for induction into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016. The list includes 20 players and five coaches/contributors.

The Finalists were chosen from a field of over 200 nominees by a 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.

The committee will meet again in the coming weeks to select the six members (five players and one coach/contributor) who will be inducted as the Polynesian Football Hall of FameClass of 2016.

“Over the past several weeks the Selection Committee has been deliberating over the 2016 Finalists,” said Dick Tomey. “This is quite a challenge because there are so many great Polynesian players, coaches and contributors that have made an incredible impact on the game of football.”

This year’s inductees will be announced on October 7, 2015. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, to be held at the Hawai'i Convention Center and at the Polynesian Cultural Center on January 29 & 30, 2016.

PLAYER FINALISTS

Junior Ah You (DE) Arizona State, Pro: CFL & USFL 12 years, Samoan ancestry
Bob Apisa (FB/HB) Michigan State, Pro: NFL (GB) 1 year, Samoan ancestry
Charles "Charlie" Teetai Ane, Jr. (OL) USC, Pro: NFL (DET) 6 years, Samoan ancestry
Herman “Buddy” Piikei Clark (OL) Oregon State, Pro: NFL (CHI) 4 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Riki Morgan Ellison (LB) USC, Pro: NFL (SF, OAK) 8 years, Maori ancestry
Rockne Crowningburg Freitas (OL) Oregon State, Pro: NFL (DET, TB) 10 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Ma'ake Tu'amelie Kemoeatu (DT) Utah, Pro: NFL (BAL, CAR, WAS) 11 years, Tongan ancestry
Brandon Manumaleuna (TE) Arizona, Pro: NFL (STL, SD, CHI) 10 years, Samoan ancestry
Chris Naeole (G) Colorado, Pro: NFL (NO, JAX) 11 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Alapati “Al” Noga (DL) Hawai’i, Pro: NFL (MIN, WAS, IND) 6 years, Samoan ancestry
Niko Noga (LB) Hawai’i, Pro: NFL (AZ, DET) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Troy Polamalu (DB) USC, PRO: NFL (PIT) 12 years, Samoan ancestry
Joe Fagaone Salave'a (DL) Arizona, Pro: NFL (TEN, BAL, SD, WAS) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Dan Saleaumua (DT) Arizona State, Pro: NFL (DET, KC, SEA) 12 years, Samoan ancestry
Vai Sikahema (RB/KR) BYU, Pro: NFL (AZ, GB, PHI) 8 years, Tongan ancestry
Ma’a Tanuvasa (DE) Hawai’i, Pro: NFL (STL, PIT, DEN, SD, ATL) 9 years, Samoan ancestry
Mosiula Mea'alofa "Lofa" Tatupu (LB) USC, Pro: NFL (SEA) 6 years, Samoan ancestry
Manu'ula “Manu” Asovalu Tuiasosopo (DL) UCLA, Pro: NFL (SEA, SF) 7 years, Samoan ancestry
Marques Tavita Tuiasosopo (QB) Washington, Pro: NFL (OAK, NYJ) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Kimo von Oelhoffen (DL) Boise State, Pro: NFL (CIN, PIT, NYJ, PHI) 15 years, Hawaiian ancestry

COACH & CONTRIBUTOR FINALISTS

Thomas Ka’auwai Ka’ulukukui, Former Head Coach at University of Hawai’i, Hawaiian ancestry
Cal Lee, Head Football Coach, St. Louis High School (HI), Hawaiian ancestry
Albert “Al” Lolotai, First Polynesian to play Professional Football, Samoan ancestry
John Manumaleuna, Southern California Advocate for Polynesian Youth, Samoan ancestry
Charlie Wedemeyer, Former Head Football Coach, Los Gatos High School (CA), Hawaiian ancestry