EPHRAIM — That old saying "nothing is more important than family" took on new meaning for four Snow College football players as each learned family members were affected by the tsunami that hit the islands of Samoa and American Samoa last week.
Sophomore BJ McKenzie and freshmen Sini Tauauve'a (Hunter High School), Charles Ho Ching, and Tenny Palepoi (Skyline High School) all had family affected by the 8.0 earthquake that sent tsunami waves that were as high as 15 to 20 feet and have killed a reported 176 people.
Ho Ching, who grew up in American Samoa, played the entire game Saturday not knowing his family's fate. It was only after the game that he found out they made it through the tsunami unscathed.
McKenzie, who has cousins in the area, has since found out his family are all right. Tauauve'a, whose father lived in American Samoa, received word that nearly his father's entire village had been destroyed but family made it through the storm unharmed.
For Palepoi, as of Wednesday night, he had yet to make contact with his brother. He holds out hope that everything is fine.
The news of the tsunami caught each of the players off guard and was greeted initially with shock.
"I didn't want to believe it at first," said Ho Ching. "It became so surreal when I came home and got on the computer and saw all the pictures."
"I felt useless being here and not over there helping out," Tauauve'a said. "But all we can do right now is pray."
The Badgers had an inspiring road victory over Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, 44-0, on Saturday, led by the effort of those four players who were all playing for their family and their culture. A couple of players even wrote some things on their wrists and arm bandages in honor of their familes.
These players knew they were not alone, either, as the whole team rallied around them. The team even had a prayer after the game for those on the team who had family still missing.
"We just made sure we came out and played hard the whole game for them," said freshman Tim Katoa.
"Those guys were playing for a lot," said defensive coordinator Justin Decol. "They stayed focused all week during practice and really showed their strength and maturity."
Although news is still coming in about how the region has been affected, the Snow College players are trying to stay focused.
"I just use this as motivation," said McKenzie. "I'm here to better my own life."
"I just try not to think about it too much," Palepoi said. "I just try to keep busy and focus on football, which helps distract me from it."
The tsunami was a tragedy to be remembered by the world and a day to never be forgotten by these Badgers, they said.
The four players affected by the tsunami had just one message they wanted to share: "One love and much blessings for American Samoa."