CANCELED - Polynesian NFL Pipeline Discussed at WSU Diversity Symposium
Diversity Symposium Canceled
September 11, 2015
OGDEN, Utah – The Allen Holmes Diversity Symposium event originally scheduled for Sept. 14 and 15 at Weber State University has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Author & Contact:
Allison Barlow Hess, public relations director
801-626-7948 · ahess@weber.edu
OGDEN, Utah – The Salt Lake community is a primary source for Polynesian football players in the NFL. The Allen Holmes Diversity Symposium at Weber State University will feature a viewing and discussion about the documentary “In Football We Trust,” which explores the story behind the Polynesian NFL pipeline.
The film will be shown three times on Sept. 14 and 15. The first showing is Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at Weber State University Davis Building 2 Room 110. Due to limited seating, an RSVP is required at weber.edu/diversity.
The film will be shown again Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms. A discussion will follow with the film’s director Tony Vainuku and co-director/producer Erika Cohn.
Filmed during a four-year period, the documentary captures the tightly-knit and complex Salt Lake City Polynesian community. The documentary features four young Polynesian men who strive to use football to overcome gang violence and poverty. The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
“Each year we endeavor to engage a different diversity aspect through the Allen Holmes Diversity Symposium,” said Adrienne Andrews, WSU’s chief diversity officer. “Looking at themes of recent programs and events, we realized we have great work to do with our Pacific Islander community. By sharing a documentary about Polynesian people in Utah, we hope to dispel myths and develop community.”
The Allen Holmes Diversity Symposium was created in 2013 by members of the Weber College classes of ’58, ’59 and ’60 to honor Allen Holmes. Holmes led the Weber College Basketball team of 1959 to the Junior College National Championship. He was the tournament MVP and a Junior College All-American. Hall’s contributions to Weber State, however, were not limited to the basketball court. As the school’s most-recognized student, he helped break down prejudice and bigotry among students, faculty and the Ogden community. In recognition of these contributions, a permanent endowment was created through private donations to sponsor an annual symposium that deals with issues of diversity and unity.
Visit weber.edu/diversity for an events calendar and information about the Center for Diversity & Unity.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
- Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu - Contact:
Teresa Holt diversity and inclusive program coordinator
801-626-6957 · teresaholt@weber.edu