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Al Noga, Mosi Tatupu and Tommy Ka’ulukukui are among the 25 finalists for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class. The finalists includes 20 players and five coaches/contributors.
The finalists were pared from an initial list of more than 100 nominees. Former college head coaches Dick Tomey, LaVell Edwards and Ron McBride are part of the selection committee that whittled the field to 25.
The committee will meet in the coming weeks to select the six players and one coach/contributor for the inaugural class.
“The selection committee has been hard at work,” said Tomey, chairman of the committee. “This is quite a challenge as there are so many great Polynesian players, coaches and contributors to consider.”
The finalists are:
George Achica, defensive tackle (USC, Indianapolis Colts)
Junior Ah You, defensive end (Arizona State, CFL and USFL)
Bob Apisa, fullback/halfback (Michigan State, Green Bay Packers)
Charlie Ane, offensive lineman (USC, Detroit Lions)
Herman “Buddy” Clark, running back (Oregon State, Chicago Bears)
Riki Ellison, linebacker (USC, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders)
Luther Elliss, defensive tackle (Utah, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos)
Rockne Freitas, offensive line (Oregon State, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Kurt Gouveia, linebacker (BUY, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers)
Ma’ake Kemoeatu, defensive tackle (Utah, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins)
Olin Kreutz, center (Washington, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints)
Kevin Mawae, center (LSU, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans)
Al Noga, defensive lineman (Hawaii, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts)
Junior Seau, linebacker (USC, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins)
Ray Schoenke, offensive lineman (SMU, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins)
Mosi Tatupu, running back (USC, New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams)
Jack Thompson, quarterback (Washington State, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Manu Tuiasosopo, defensive lineman (UCLA, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers)
Mark Tuinei, offensive lineman (Hawaii, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins)
Herman Wedemeyer, halfback (Saint Mary’s, Los Angeles Dons, Baltimore Colts)
Tommy Ka’ulukukui, former UH head coach
Al Lolotai, 4 years pros
John Manumaleuna, Southern California Advocate for Polynesian Youth
Ken NIumatalolo, head coach U.S. Naval Academy
Charlie Wedemeyer, former head coach of Los Gatos High
