Navy football coach to speak at Va. fireside July 20

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Ken Niumatalolo, new football head coach at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., will be the featured speaker at a four-stake regional fireside July 20.

Niumatalolo, of Laie, Hawaii, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a longtime assistant coach at the academy, was named head coach in December. He is believed to be the first Polynesian head coach in NCAA Division 1-A history.

Ian Houston, Woodbridge Stake public affairs director, said the theme of the nondenominational fireside is "Why I Believe in Jesus Christ." Houston said the fireside is aimed at letting the community know the LDS Church revolves around a belief in Christ.

To that end, invitations have been sent to area ministers, pastors and high school football coaches, who are encouraged to take their players to the fireside to hear Niumatalolo. Houston said church youths also will pass out invitations outside grocery stores.

"We want to overcome the inhibition and fear of reaching out to our neighbors" to invite them to the fireside, he said.

Niumatalolo is expected to focus on his testimony of Jesus Christ and share experiences from his professional life that reinforced his testimony.

The fireside will be held at 7 p.m. July 20 in the Woodbridge Stake center, 3718 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, Va. For more information, call Houston at 703-490-2189.