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.