“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, it is our great honor to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2025,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman, Co-Founder, and Inductee. “These men embody the spirit of Polynesia and have left an enduring mark on the game of football."
Prior to the formal ceremony held at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Saturday, Sitake and the inductees were recognized on Friday during the annual Polynesian Bowl at Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu that was televised live on the NFL Network. A VIP reception on Thursday and celebration dinner on Saturday were among the other festivities taking place during the official Enshrinement Weekend.
“It’s an honor for me to be here and stand before you. It’s an honor to be inducted in the same class as Jim Nicholson and Chris Kemoeatu,” said Sitake during his enshrinement speech, where he expressed appreciation individually to many of his mentors and family members present at the event, including his strong, heartfelt overall connections to the community in Laie.
“I’m trying to not get too emotional. This place means a lot to me. I was born in Tonga, and a few months later we moved out here to Laie. This is the place that I grew up in and followed and cheered for Kahuku and cheered for BYU. This is the place that I learned everything. Laie Park is where I first picked up a football and a basketball and learned how to play the game. It’s the first time I learned how to have sportsmanship and to love people and how to take care of teammates and be a family. I was embraced by the whole community. I appreciate everybody here in this area for loving me and my family. ... I want to give a lot of love to my family. Thank you for believing in me, trusting me and, also, for pushing me. ... I want to thank God, above, my Father in Heaven, and Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me. Thank you so much.“
Entering his 10th year at BYU, and 25th overall season as a college football coach in 2025, Sitake leads the football program he once played for under legendary College Football Hall of fame coach LaVell Edwards. A former Cougar running back (1994, 1997-2000), Sitake has guided BYU to a 72-43 (.626) overall record during his first nine seasons, including an 11-2 record in 2024 while finishing BIg 12 play at 7-2 in a four-way tie for first place atop the conference standings.
Sitake has guided BYU to double-digit victory seasons in three of the past five years while achieving a 45-18 (.714) record to boast the No. 8 winning percentage among all FBS coaches in that span.
This season the American Football Coaches Association named Sitake its 2024 Region 4 Coach of the Year and a finalist for AFCA National Coach of the Year. He was also recognized in 2024 as a semifinalist for the prestigious George Munger Award, which is awarded to the college football coach of the year. He was also named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watchlist and the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List.
Sitake was previously recognized as an Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award Finalist and George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award Semifinalist in both 2020 and 2021 after leading BYU to records of 11-1 and 10-3, respectively.
Born in Tonga and raised in Laie, Hawai'i and Provo, Utah, Sitake became the first FBS head football coach of Tongan descent when he was hired by BYU in December of 2015 as the first former player under the legendary LaVell Edwards to be named head coach. Sitake led the Cougars through their final seven seasons as an FBS independent to enter the ranks of power-conference football with membership in the Big 12 Conference starting in 2023.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa.
Sitake joins three other former BYU players who were previously inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, including Kurt Gouveia (2014), Vai Sikahema (2016) and Reno Mahe (2024).