Written by Chris Taualii,

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(Editor's note:  In the upcoming months, I will bring you profiles of current and recent graduate student-athletes all over the United States, along with some of their plans and goals in not only in the playing field, but also in the classroom.  Also, some will share their extended goals after college, moving on into the 

        It also helped that Fehi brought with him a resume of being a three-year starter as a defensive back for his high school, (Damien Memorial High School) also a private school.  Despite offers from Colorado State and Western Washington University, Fehi accepted a full scholarship ride to St. Francis University.  In the fall of 2004, he became the first Tongan, and was also one of the first three Polynesians, to attend the school.  Trying to adjust to his new environment, he used his talent, and became one of two freshmen to start for the football team.  At the suggestion of the coaching staff, he switched position to linebacker, and then again to defensive line during his senior year.  During his junior year, he held the mark for most tackles in a career; (182) this while compiling and maintaining a 3.0 GPA in the classroom.

        One of the people who was able to see firsthand the growth and development that Fehi had made during his time at St. Francis was his position coach A.J. Anderson.  "Fehi is a very athletic football player, and he used his agility to help him make his adjustment to switching positions.  He was a very coachable kid, and he was always willing to learn." says Coach Anderson.  "He really helped us recruit Polynesians by sharing and being so proud of his culture, and everyone respected him.  It shows because he just didn't hang out with the athletes; he hung out with everybody.  Our coaching staff passed to him what we emphasized to all of our student athletes: 'If you have talent, you can make it to the next level, but our goal here as coaches is to make sure you get your degree and have a better life.'"  Every year, Coach Anderson says, about 20 to 30 guys on the football team average a 3.0 GPA or higher.  This past spring, Fehi was able to accomplish his goal when he got his degree in marketing and management, and maintaining his 3.0 GPA.

VOT Sports:  What made you feel welcome at St. Francis, and not think about home so much?

Fehi:  The student body and faculty were so friendly, and they were very interested about Polynesians.  It also helped that the ratio of girls to guys was six to one.

VOT Sports:  What sport would you have played if you didn't play football? 

Fehi:  Soccer.  I have been playing soccer all my life.  I didn't play football until my sophomore year in high school.

VOT Sports:  Who is your role model and why? 

Fehi:  My Dad because of the hard worker that he is.  He knows what he wants, and he's worked really hard to provide a good life for my siblings and I. (Fehi is the second youngest of Maafutau and Sesalina Sevelo's six children and the fourth to graduate from college in the family)

VOT Sports:  What is your favorite quote from anybody?

Fehi:  "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." by Confucius.

VOT Sport:  What do you do on your free time?

Fehi:  Help my Dad with his work, work out, hang out with my family and friends.

VOT Sports:  What would we find in your ipod?

Fehi:  New and upcoming reggae Polynesian artists such as J-Boog and Loleini Unga.

VOT Sports:  What do you see yourself doing in ten years?

Fehi:  I see myself raising my own family, and pursue a career in real estate.  

(If you know of any student-athlete that has excelled in both the classroom and their sport, please feel free to email them to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

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