NBC News Anchor Vai Sikahema Visits RCGC To Talk About GRIT

NBC 10 news anchor and former Philadelphia Eagles player Vai Sikahema stopped by the Rowan College at Gloucester County (RCGC) campus on Wednesday, March 28, to share life experiences and valuable advice with college students.

Invited to speak by longtime friend Carole McNaughton, a psychology instructor at RCGC, Sikahema’s visit originated from a desire to encourage students — many facing difficult circumstances and life challenges — to persevere, work hard and stick to their goals. “GRIT: Why It Matters” addressed the importance of staying the course day in and day out, and how being tenacious means more than IQ, income and safety when it comes to doing well in school and in life.

“I wanted Vai to come to share his story about never giving up. So many of my students face challenges in their lives and feel like success is not possible,” said McNaughton. “Hearing where he came from gives them some perspective.”

Born in Tonga, a small Polynesian island in the South Pacific, Sikahema recalled training as a child to become a boxer, eventually moving to the United States where he became one of the top five young fighters in the country. In high school, he switched from boxing to football and after graduation attended Brigham Young University on a scholarship. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals/Phoenix in 1986, he was the first Tongan to play in the National Football League. From 1992 to 1993, #22 played for the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring to work for WCAU, where he has been employed since 1994.

It was while at Brigham Young University Sikahema realized that although he had been a standout football player in high school, academically he was not well prepared for college. During high school many of his teachers were also athletic coaches, more concerned with winning games than education.

“The education system was a curse and a blessing to me,” said Sikahema. “A teacher saved my life.”

A high school English teacher took a special interest in the young athlete, providing extra help academically, even assigning him to the school newspaper to cover the girls’ swim team. Her guidance and encouragement influenced his choice to major in sports journalism at college, ultimately leading to a career as a sports anchor at NBC.

RCGC English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor Marisa Satterfield invited 25 students from her beginning and intermediate classes to the presentation. “This is such an amazing opportunity for our students to hear from a successful, former ESL student. It is so encouraging to them.”

Sikahema’s advice: “Don’t be discouraged if you are not the smartest person in class. Figure out what you like to do, then do your best. This country gives you the opportunity to pursue your education. Apply for scholarships. Figure things out, navigate it and you will have a wonderful life.”

“I liked his back story — coming from a small island in the middle of nowhere and how he made something of himself,” stated Health and Physical Education major Tom Dunfee, of Deptford. “You can explore your options and try to find something that fits you. I took that advice and am planning to run with it.”

Sikahema’s presentation was sponsored by the Liberal Arts Division and the RCGC Diversity Committee. For more information about academic programs and other offerings, visit RCGC.edu.

Rowan College at Gloucester County’s 250-acre campus is located on Tanyard Road in Deptford, just off Exit 56 of Route 55.

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