Many people know Haloti Ngata as number 96 on the football team, a 6-foot-5, 345-pound force on the field. He was one of the University’s highest-rated national recruits and is among the University’s strongest defensive linemen.
What people may not know is that Ngata is also a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ngata joined elders and missionaries in a church presentation on Thursday in the EMU aimed at raising awareness and giving students an opportunity to learn about the religion. Ngata spoke and introduced the other speakers throughout the meeting. He was asked to participate because he is a public figure and because of his strong faith, said Josh Alder, a University senior and elder with the church.
“He is quiet, soft-spoken and has strong beliefs that guide his life,” said T. Wayne Hunsaker, director of the Institute of Religion.
Ngata grew up in Utah, jokingly referred
to as “the homeland” by other members
of the faith. When it came time to pick a university, a tug of war ensued, as most Pacific-10 Conference schools, including Brigham Young University, University of Nebraska — Lincoln, Ohio State, University of Michigan and Texas A&M University tried to recruit him. Ngata verbally committed to Nebraska and BYU before signing a letter of intent for Oregon. The details of Ngata’s recruitment were still blurry, but one thing was clear: The Ducks had signed the number two recruit in the nation.
Ngata says he was very active in the church when he first arrived in Oregon, but during his sophomore year he drifted away.
“I began drifting away and that’s when I had my injury,” Ngata said. “The only place I could feel comfort and peace was coming back to the church.”
Ngata considered going on a mission during the time he was injured but instead chose to stay at the University and continue playing football.
“Right now I’m not thinking about a mission,” Ngata said. “I feel like I can show the church through athletics.”
Now Ngata describes himself as “fully active” in the church. He goes to weekly meetings and activities and attends church on Sundays.
Ngata attends the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Institute of Religion building on East 16th Avenue and Alder Street. The Institute serves as an education program for young adults in the church and Ngata attends classes there with other University Mormon students. The Institute has about 400 University members, Hunsaker said.
The purpose of Thursday’s presentation was to offer students who are interested
in learning more about Mormonism and
the church an opportunity to speak with church members and learn about their beliefs and faith.
Ngata said he likes the institute because he enjoys spending time with other members.
“It’s fun to be in the student world with other people that can relate,” Ngata said.

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