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The Albertsons Big Deal of the Week is a new addition to IdahoSports.com in which student-athletes who excel in the classroom and competitively are selected on a weekly basis to be featured on the site. Each recipient of this weekly honor receives a $100 Albertsons gift card and is featured as a top story on IdahoSports.com.
This week our selection is Tui Moliga from Lapwai High School. Moliga, a 3.7 GPA student, has played baseball, football and basketball during his high school career. Following graduation he will move on to Walla Walla Community College in Washington state to begin his journey in collegiate baseball. After those two years are complete Tui then plans to transfer to a four year school and pursue pharmaceutical studies.
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I’m currently a senior at Lapwai High School located in Lapwai on the Nez Perce Reservation. I am Nez Perce and Samoan, so both sides of my family have really strong culture. I play football, baseball and I play football on the basketball court. I love baseball and hope to play for a long time.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it?
Tubes, Lil Tuna, Chewy, Baby Tui and Cowboy Tui. My friends and family always called me these except for Baby Tui. I was born with that nickname.
What is your favorite sport to watch? Participate in?
My favorite sport to watch and participate in is baseball.
As a student-athlete, which is harder - being a student, or being an athlete? Why?
Being a student is way more challenging than being an athlete. Being a student, you have to apply yourself for hours at a time five days a week. That’s just in the classroom, I didn’t even get started on homework and studying. You can’t have athletics if you don’t have academics.
Overall GPA:
3.7
What is the best thing you have learned from playing sports in high school?
The best thing I have learned from playing sports is brotherhood. The boys I play with in high school are family. They have been there for me through thick and thin.
Favorite high school memory, so far?
Being able to hang out with my really close friends and growing up together.
Who is your favorite teacher? Why?
Mr. Nellesen. He’s not only a coach on the field, he’s a great coach on life too.
What kind of car gets you around town?
2016 Toyota Corolla.
Cat person or dog person?
Easily a dog person. I’m allergic to cats.
Favorite food?
Big John’s BBQ and Samoan food will always have a special place in my heart.
You have an entire weekend with no plans. What do you do?
Round up the boys and go outside and get some long toss in or go to the cages and hit for a few hours than go lift after. After we get some work in we’ll usually go on an adventure in the mountains or go to Lewiston and get some grub.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
I’d want to meet my family from way back. I’d like to see where and who I came from and ask any advice they have.
What is something most people do not know about you?
I’m very spontaneous and outgoing.
What celebrity would play you if they made a movie about your life?
I think The Rock would be the only one who could play me.
What was the last song you listened to?
Xxplosive by Dr.Dre.
What are your plans after high school (college, work, etc.)?
I will be going to Walla Walla Community College to play baseball and further my education. I hope to move to a four year university after Walla Walla. I plan to study Pharmaceutical Studies.
When you "grow up" what is your idea of the perfect job?
A perfect job to me is where I can enjoy what I’m doing and make an impact on the world.
What is the best advice you have ever received and from who?
“Live the life you love, love the life you live.” My PaPa Fai.
Any shoutouts:
I’d like to thank my family, friends and the Lapwai community. Thank you to the ones above: BB, Pops and Auntie Missy. Shoutout to everyone who has supported me throughout my life and also shoutout to Tongue Squad.
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