Honolulu, Hawaii – Frank Manumaleuga, the one of the finest linebackers to play for the San Jose State University football team in the 1970's, is one of 10 finalists for induction into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
Manumaleuna played for the Spartans during the 1977 and 1978 seasons and was coached by Lynn Stiles. The two-time All-America was an honorable mention choice in 1977 and a third-team Associated Press honoree in 1978.
The three-sport, 245-pound athlete also was a member of the Spartan basketball and track and field teams.
He began his college career at UCLA. According to then head coach and San Jose State legend Dick Vermeil, "… (he) had more instinctive ability than any linebacker I've ever evaluated."
Manumaleuga still holds the San Jose State single-game record for most tackles in a game with 27 against Colorado in 1978.
He was the Kansas City Chiefs' fourth-round draft choice in 1979, the 85th overall selection in that year's draft. Manumaleuga played three seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs, and three seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Oakland Invaders and Portland Breakers.
"Special thanks to our outstanding Selection Committee, who has once again put forward an outstanding group of Finalists for the Class of 2020," said Jack Thompson, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chairman. More than 100 players were nominated for Hall of Fame consideration. "This is quite a challenge because there are so many great Polynesian football players, coaches and contributors."
"On behalf of our Board of Directors, we congratulate the Class of 2020 Finalists," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. "Each of the finalists has made a significant impact on our community and the game of football."
Four inductees will be announced on October 23, 2019. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend and during the Polynesian Bowl on January 17 & 18, 2020.
CLASS OF 2020 FINALISTS
§ Tony Banks (QB) Michigan State; Pro: NFL (STL, BAL, DAL, WAS, HOU) 11 years, Samoan ancestry
§ David Dixon (G) Arizona State; Pro: (MIN) 13 years, Maori ancestry
§ Malcom Floyd (WR) Wyoming; Pro (SAN) 10 years, Samoan ancestry
§ Chris Kemoeatu (G) Utah; Pro (PIT) 7 years, Tongan ancestry
§ Frank Manumaleuga (LB) San Jose State; Pro (KC) 3 years, Samoan ancestry
§ Haloti Ngata (DT) Oregon; Pro (BAL, DET, PHI) 13 years, Tongan ancestry
§ Alapati "Al" Noga (DL) Hawai'i; Pro: NFL (MIN, WAS, IND) 7 years, Samoan ancestry
§ Falaniko "Niko" Noga (LB) Hawai'i; Pro: NFL (AZ, DET) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
§ Dominic Raiola (C) Nebraska; Pro: NFL (DET) 14 years, Hawaiian ancestry
§ Charlie Wedemeyer; Former Head Football Coach, Los Gatos High School (CA), Hawaiian ancestry
About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia's greatest players, coaches and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center (O`ahu) and was established in 2013.