NATIONAL SIGNING DAY 2013 INCLUDES AMERICAN SAMOA FOOTBALL STARS

Yesterday was ‘National Signing Day’ 2013 for the nation's top high school football players making their college decisions, by signing letters of intent. American Samoa had its share of football stars, along with their parents, signing letters of intent. Pictured are the local players who signed their letters, along with their parents, guardians, coaches and supporters standing behind them yesterday in Pago Pago after the signing. Read story in Sports. [photo: Jeff Hayner]

Yesterday was ‘National Signing Day’ 2013, which saw the nation's top high school football players making their college decisions. American Samoa also had its share of football players signing letters of intent, as 12 local football players along with their parents signed letters.

Also at the signing was the local non-profit organization Field House 100 American Samoa (FH100) that helps student athletes in the territory gain acceptance into college by assisting students transition from high school to college. Begun in the territory in 2009 by brothers Brandon and Brian Smart, FH100 has assisted many athletes in American Samoa receive scholarships, to the delight of their parents and family members.

Samoa News spoke with some of the parents yesterday who were ecstatic about their son receiving a scholarship to play college football.

“I'm so happy as a parent to see my son receiving a full football scholarship to attend New Mexico Military Institute. His father Aluesi Te’i and I are very proud to be here today to officially sign the scholarship letter for our son,” said Mareta Te'i, mother of Lancelot Te’i of Tafuna High School.

Samoa News also spoke with Falenaoti Levi, the mother of Fa’au Levi from Samoana High School who said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the coaches that helped my son. I would like to give a special thank you to Brian and Brandon Smart from FH100 for helping out the kids here in American Samoa and for helping my son, who will be attending Arizona Western College. I am so happy,” said Falenaoti Levi.

The 12 local football players who signed yesterday and the schools they will be attending are listed below:

Emmit Sua-Kalio (Washington State University-Div. I)

Fa’au Levi (Arizona Western College-Junior College)

Mahoniral Tuimaseve (Independence-Junior College)

Ieti Manu (New Mexico Military Institute-Junior College)

Cleon Aloese (Ohio University-Div. I)

Cardiff Saini (University of Hawaii-Div. I)

Jamie Tago (University of Hawaii-Div. I)

Punefuolemotu ‘Rico’ Letuli (New Mexico Military Institute-Junior College)

Ben Waterhouse (Independence-Junior College)

Lancelot Te’i (New Mexico Military Institute-Junior College)

Arthur Husseini (New Mexico Military Institute-Junior College)

Daniel Etuale (Washington State University-Div. I)

Three more locals who are off island playing in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) USA vs The World football game in Texas, also signed yesterday as well. Fred Lauina (Oregon State University-Div. I), Malo Feuia (UNLV-Div. I) and Daniel Fereti (New Mexico Military Institute).

Four more locals recently signed are: Risati Mapu (Benedict College), Ben Langford (Eastern New Mexico), Ma’anaima Lang (Eastern New Mexico) and Bobby Steffany (Angelo State University).

To find our more information on Field House 100 American Samoa and how they are assisting local athletes in obtaining scholarships, you can visit their website, fh100recruiting.com or contact them at: fh100recruiting@gmail.com.