With plenty of practice, Tuifua continues to tackle key decisions
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
The end of the 1992 football season at Ricks College means that Viking defensive lineman David Tuifua, among others, now has some important decisions to tackle. Fortunately for Tuifua, he's had plenty of practice when it comes to choosing the best course to follow.
Born in Tonga, the 6-foot 2-inch, 275-pound Tuifua learned to play football at the age of 12 when his family moved to Hawaii.Tuifua's play at Honolulu's Roosevelt High School helped his team to the state playoffs and attracted the attention of several four-year universities. BYU and the University of Hawaii recruited him, but Tuifua said a friend helped him pick another alternative.
Fotu Katoa, a former All-American tight end at Ricks, befriended Tuifua while serving as a missionary in Honolulu. Katoa not only persuaded Tuifua to consider Ricks, but also encouraged him to serve a mission.
Tuifua began spending time with the missionaries in Honolulu and would often go with them to teaching appointments. "I had a spiritual experience one night when I was with the elders," he said. "I felt very strongly that I should go on a mission right then, instead of going straight to Ricks."
Tuifua followed the promptings of the Spirit, and put his football plan on hold to serve in the Arizona Tempe Mission. According to Tuifua, serving a mission was one of the best decisions he's made.
Tuifua and his wife, Marilee, were married in the Idaho Falls Temple last February. - Jason Jolley
