HONOLULU — The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced 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
HONOLULU — The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced 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 coach Dick Tomey.
“Over the past several weeks, the selection committee has been deliberating over the 2016 finalists,” Tomey said. “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 Oct. 7. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, to be held at the Hawaii Convention Center and at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Jan. 29 and 30.
Player Finalists
Junior Ah You (DL) 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) 9 years, Maori ancestry
Rockne Crowningburg Freitas (OL) Oregon State, Pro: NFL (DET, TB) 11 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Maake Tuamelie 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 (OL) Colorado, Pro: NFL (NO, JAX) 11 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Alapati “Al” Noga (DL) Hawai’i, Pro: NFL (MIN, WAS, IND) 7 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 Salavea (DL) Arizona, Pro: NFL (TEN, BAL, SD, WAS) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Dan Saleaumua (DL) 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
Maa Tanuvasa (DE) Hawai’i, Pro: NFL (STL, PIT, DEN, SD, ATL) 9 years, Samoan ancestry
Mosiula Meaalofa “Lofa” Tatupu (LB) USC, Pro: NFL (SEA) 6 years, Samoan ancestry
Manu’ula “Manu” Asovalu Tuiasosopo (DL) UCLA, Pro: NFL (SEA, SF) 8 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) 14 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Coach and Contributor Finalists
Thomas Kaauwai Kaulukukui, Former Head Coach at University of Hawaii, Hawaiian ancestry
Cal Lee, Former 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
