Repeat after me: This kid can play

IN THE LONG HISTORY of Pac-10 football, there have been many players with unusual names. But none like Huskies defensive end Tui Alailefaleula, who because of his skills could someday be a household name.

Week by week, the Washington Huskies are improving. They're getting it down. They struggled at first, but you can see how far they've come.

At one time, they didn't have a clue. But now some of them are able to pronounce the name: Tui Alailefaleula.

Everything about the guy is big: big frame, big heart, big calves — huge calves — and big home state. He's from Anchorage, Alaska, a Samoan son in a military family.

At 6 feet 4 and 280 pounds, he has been getting snaps this year on the defensive line, where the Huskies are convinced he has a big future.

But nothing is bigger than his name: A-la-EE-lay-fa-lay-OO-la.

Welcome to history, Tui. There have been longer names in Pac-10 history, more letters. But after a search by The Times of letter-winners at each conference school, it can be said that never has there been an eight-syllable surname in a century of football. You heard it here first.

You don't know the half of it. "Tui" is short for Tuiaualuma, which gives him 15 syllables in two names, enough to cause a broadcaster to order another double.

"Tui-ala-something, I don't know," sighed Larry Tripplett, Alailefaleula's defensive-line mate. "There's only about five guys on the team that know how to pronounce it."

There have been some memorable names in the Pac-10, but there has never been an Alailefaleula. There have also been some distinctive names, quirky names, ironic names. Arizona has had a Nick Fineanganofu and an Olatide Ogunfiditimi and a Victor Verbalaitis, who was probably a great interview.

There's been an Archibald MacAlpine at Stanford and a Brian Tulikihihifo at Oregon State and a Toalei Mulitauaopele at Washington.

Years ago, Oregon State Coach Dee Andros had a running back named Sal Cirrincione. Challenged by some names a lot shorter, Andros simply referred to him as "Sal from Chicago."

No such treatment for Alailefaleula from the Washington coaches, who have proven surprisingly nimble with his name.

"I practiced," said UW Coach Rick Neuheisel, who went to Anchorage to recruit him. "It's a long flight to Alaska."

UCLA had an Onno Zwaneveld, a Zenon Andrusyshyn, a Frank Manumaleuna and a Saia Makakaufaki. Writers who covered Cal had to suffer not only losing seasons but a receiver named Iheanyi Uwaezuoke.

There's been an Alphonse Hoptowit at Washington State, a Melville Mucklestone at Washington and a Leonard Livernash at USC. Stanford had a Duker Dapper and a Dudley DeGroot. Arizona had a Fover Coutchie.

Those who have accomplished it, including Tui himself, say "Alailefaleula" trips lightly off the tongue.

"It's like a song," said Tim Hundley, the UW defensive coordinator.

Says Alailefaleula, "You've just got to sound it out. It's not hard. I like to hear folks pronounce it. It's real cool."

At Arizona State, there's been a Meryl Furrey and a Fair Hooker. Headline writers in Oregon cheered the day Alai Kalaniuvalu and Ed Kaohelaulii graduated from OSU.

KOMO radio's Bob Rondeau has mastered Alailefaleula, although that might be too strong a verb. Like coaches playing one game at a time, you never want to look past the next syllable with Alailefaleula.

In fact, the station that broadcast high-school games in Anchorage, KTZN, held KOMO to a friendly pact when Alailefaleula signed with Washington last February. If it was going to be on the UW radio network, it wanted to know that Rondeau had the name down. So far, so good.

Oregon has had a P.T. Frizzle, Oregon State a Brewer Billie and Washington State a Colonel Sapp. Just to hammer home the point, Cal had a Setoga Setoga, WSU had a Samoa Samoa and UCLA a Wilton Wilton. USC almost got there, but not quite — much like its program — with a Lawrence Larry.

Stanford had a Winfred Wedge and Cal a Waldo Weeth. The Bears also had an Orval Overall. Washington had a Norm Sansregret, who probably played without a complaint.

Not every Pac-10 football player has had a fearsome name. UCLA had a Beverly Ogden and a Julie Weisstein, Washington had a Shirley Parker. Oregon State had a Pearl Rose.

But nobody has ever had a more challenging name than Tuiaualuma Alailefaleula. Washington believes the best part of it is, he's going to be as big a player as he is a name. "He's got a great future," says Neuheisel.

Says teammate Larry Tripplett, "He's a big guy playing defensive end. That right there says a lot about his athletic ability. Most guys that size play inside."

You could say Alailefaleula is a lot like this UW football team. He doesn't do it the easy way.

His middle name? Nelson.

Bud Withers can be reached at 206-464-8281 or bwithers@seattletimes.com.