WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A UTAH ISLANDER
Utah Islanders are warriors that take pride in brotherhood that values the game of football. Utah Islanders are also a diverse family enriched in respect, honor and pride. The definition of “Islanders” is an individual native to an island. Islanders value their land, family, culture and respect. We want Utah islanders to be native to our team and to implement similar values.
The moment you put the "Utah Islanders" jersey on, you are pledging to represent Utah Islanders and respectfully play with one heart, one soul and one family.
ONE HEART
A team that plays with the same heart will lead each other to fight with the same energy and mindset.
ONE SOUL
A team that plays with the same spirit and moves as one.
ONE FAMILY
A team that values each other and strives to protect one another.
It's not about where you're from, it's where you're going.
"We all We got"
Viavia Manuma #9
INTRODUCING
We are excited to introduce the Utah Islanders, an after education development football program based right here in our Herriman Utah. Our vision is to create a platform that extends the careers of Utah's overlooked athletes, guiding them to reach their full potential, whether that be in collegiate sports or in the professional arena.
The Utah Islanders are more than just a football team; we are a family that embodies the core values of the Pacific Islands in everything we do. Our commitment extends beyond the field as we strive to represent the culture, strength, and strong family values of our incredible community.
Our focus is not limited to athletes alone. The Utah Islanders also provide a platform for those aspiring to careers in coaching, front office roles, and other sports-related fields where real-time experience is invaluable. This approach ensures that we are not just developing players but preparing future leaders and professionals in the sports industry.
In our commitment to the community, we will have an established advisory board with deep ties to Utah. This board will guide the direction of our team, ensuring that our roots remain firmly planted in the community's values and aspirations. Furthermore, we are proud to offer shares of the Utah Islanders, symbolizing our dedication to, and unity with, the community we serve.
Our inaugural season kicked off in June 2024. As an independent team, this structure allows us the flexibility to pursue matches with Junior College team while allowing competition for growth. Our third year of Practices will be held at the Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah, with our home games being held at the magnificent Stadium next door.
We invite you to be part of our journey. Whether as a player, a professional, a fan, or a community member, there is a place for you in the Utah Islanders family. For more information about our team, the upcoming season, and how you can get involved, please REGISTER for SUPPORT CREW on our website at www.utahislanders.com.
We are here to advance Utah Athletes, respect the game of football, and honor the Pacific Islanders culture.
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WHY THE ISLANDERS
To the Utah Pacific Islanders Community
It all started with a text to Will Kofe from OFFA asking “if you had a team what would you name it”? His answer “ What would you want that team to say about you when they play you”? That question hit differently. It took almost 2 weeks to reply. Then it hit me. “It’s not what I want them to say about us, as much as I want them to feel us”.
This brought me back to our API (Asian Pacific Islanders) Heritage Game. Weather was horrible but the Pacific Islander community came in full force. I remembered thinking throughout the game WOW.... The energy, the flags flying, the PRIDE I felt in that stadium is something I will NEVER forget. I often get emotional talking about it.
As I have been able to build relationships with our Pacific Islander players one thing that always amazed me is how close they are with family. That is something I have ALWAYS admired about the culture.
As I processed all of this information I began to have the idea of building a team for the Pacific Islander community. I began to consult with leaders in the Pacific Islander Community to see how they would feel about me leading this team as a non Polynesian. It has been nothing but love and support from all I have spoken with.
This game is special. I love everything it does from individuals growth to revenue and oppurtunity it provides a city. With the time and money I invested into this football team one thing I must have to continue is that this team MUST have a purpose. The team MUST be bigger that any one individual. That logo MUST mean something, It MUST be respected and worn as a badge of honor.
I know with all my heart building this team for the Pacific Islander community will garner that respect and honor and that is why I chose the name Utah Islanders. With leadership from our advisory board we will do this the right way. We will pay respect to a great community and give the Pacific Islander community a team that truly represents them.
Much RESPECT
Chris Heliin
WHY THIS PROGRAM
College football has evolved into one of the biggest sports industries in America. Especially with the emergence of NIL and the transfer portal, which have turned it into a major financial enterprise. The potential earnings for college football players have become staggering, influencing career decisions and leading many athletes to extend their college careers to capitalize on lucrative opportunities. However, statistics show that out of the 2,000 to 3,000 graduating seniors in Utah, only about 160 will get to play any level of college football. On a national level out of the about 250k graduating seniors each year only 17,000 freshman advance to play college football
Football stands out from other sports in that it requires young men to attend college to continue playing at a high level. While basketball has the G League, and hockey and baseball have extensive minor league systems, football provides no such options. This means tens of thousands of kids are told they can no longer play the game they love if they do not attend college, despite the life lessons and personal growth football offers. This reality is especially challenging for parents and communities who invest heavily in their children’s football training, only to face a system that restricts opportunities if college isn’t an option. The transition from high school to collegiate or professional levels is difficult for many talented players, whether due to academic challenges, injuries, or the politics of college programs. The life lessons, discipline, and growth that come from football should be accessible to more young men beyond high school.
The future success of football depends on programs like ours, which prioritize player development, extend careers beyond high school, preserve eligibility, while upholding the values of the game. By avoiding the politics and focusing on growth, we aim to help our athletes achieve personal and professional greatness. It’s time to bring integrity back to football and create a path for advancing Utah’s young talent. What we do here will prove there is a purpose and a demand for after education football.
PROGRAM GOALS
As an independent collegiate development program we work to provide opportunities for athletes who have been overlooked or for those who believe in their potential. Our focus is on fostering growth and giving players a chance to showcase their skills and advance their careers, all while remaining compliant with NJCAA regulations.
In the 2024 season, we identified two key areas of focus: building our staff and program. To open the season we scheduled games against prep academies, and highly vetted semi-pro teams in the region to prepare our program to compete against 2021 NJCAA Champion New Mexico Military Institute and 5th ranked Snow College in Ephraim, Utah.
While we believe that our talent should enable us to beat any team we play on the field, and we will be tested to establish a program and coaching staff that can compete at a higher level. Come season 3 we expect our program to play all games at the NJCAA level. This approach will get us the best competition for our players and coaches to have the best opportunity to advance in the game of football.
Post Season Update : Aug 24, 2024 we traveled to Snow College in Ephraim, Utah and Sept 7, 2024 we hosted New Mexico Military Institute the 2021 NJCAA National Champions at home in Zions Bank Stadium. This is our first step to our quest to playing NCJAA, NCAA D2 & D3 and Making us one of the only non institutional programs to play college football.
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MORE INFO?
team@utahislanders.com
