Tuiasosopo Finalist For 2017 Polynesian Football Hall Of Fame
September 13, 2016 | Football
HONOLULU, Hawai'i -- Former Husky quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo was named one of 18 finalist for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Five inductees will be selected for the Class of 2017 and announced on Oct. 12.
Tuiasosopo was the 2000 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and led Washington to an 11-1 record, including a win over Purdue in the Rose Bowl. He was named MVP of the game after passing for 138 yards, rushing for 75 yards and accounting for two touchdowns. He finished eighth in the Heisman voting that year.
Tuiasosopo ended his career (1997-2000) as Washington's all-time leader in total offense (currently ranks fourth) and was the first player in NCAA history to pass for 300 and rush for 200 yards in the same game.
After his Husky career, Tuiasosopo was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He spent eight years in the NFL before retiring after the 2008 season.
The Finalists were selected from a field of over 200 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee composed of past head football coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, 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 inductees will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, to be held in Oahu and at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Jan.21 & 22, 201.7
CLASS OF 2017 PLAYER FINALISTS
CLASS OF 2017 COACH & CONTRIBUTOR FINALISTS
Tuiasosopo was the 2000 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and led Washington to an 11-1 record, including a win over Purdue in the Rose Bowl. He was named MVP of the game after passing for 138 yards, rushing for 75 yards and accounting for two touchdowns. He finished eighth in the Heisman voting that year.
Tuiasosopo ended his career (1997-2000) as Washington's all-time leader in total offense (currently ranks fourth) and was the first player in NCAA history to pass for 300 and rush for 200 yards in the same game.
After his Husky career, Tuiasosopo was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He spent eight years in the NFL before retiring after the 2008 season.
The Finalists were selected from a field of over 200 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee composed of past head football coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, 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 inductees will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, to be held in Oahu and at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Jan.21 & 22, 201.7
CLASS OF 2017 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
- 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
- Ma'ake Tu'amelie Kemoeatu (DT) Utah, Pro: NFL (BAL, CAR, WAS) 9 years, Tongan ancestry
- Chris Naeole (G) Colorado, Pro: NFL (NO, JAX) 12 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
- 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
- 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) 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
CLASS OF 2017 COACH & CONTRIBUTOR FINALISTS
- Thomas Ka'auwai Ka'ulukukui, Former Head Football Coach at University of Hawai'i, Hawaiian ancestry
- John Manumaleuna, Southern California Advocate for Polynesian Youth, Samoan ancestry
- Charlie Wedemeyer, Former Head Football Coach, Los Gatos High School (CA), Hawaiian ancestry
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