1935 Football Medal Returns to ‘Iolani

A 1935 sterling silver ‘Iolani School football medallion was donated to the ‘Iolani School archives this past October  by the son of the late Joseph Ome ’36 who was an ‘Iolani quarterback under legendary coach Father Kenneth A. Bray.

The medal is blue and white and bears the inscription “The Team That Put Us In the League – 1935.” On its back side is the engraving: “J. Ome; Q.B.”  After the fall of 1935, ‘Iolani’s football team became eligible to play in the league that has evolved into today’s Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

“This is the first artifact that I’m aware of with ‘Iolani’s previous colors of blue and white,” archivist Rosemarie Panko said of the medal.

The son of Joseph, Timothy Ome, who resides in San Francisco said he decided to donate it to ‘Iolani’s archives because it belonged back at the school his father loved.

“My father had three values in life and they all emanated from the school,” Timothy said. “They were family, friends and ‘Iolani.”

Joseph Ome died in 1989 after living in the Kaimuki area and working as a long shore man. He was survived by his wife Frances, two sons and two daughters. He always talked about ‘Iolani and his football playing days, Timothy remembered.

Joseph was one of five children. His older brother, Moses Ome, graduated from McKinley and was an assistant coach to Bray.  Joseph’s younger brother, John Ome, also graduated from ‘Iolani in 1940.

Father Bray introduced the One Team concept to ‘Iolani, a doctrine that over the years has gone beyond athletics to influence all facets of the ‘Iolani experience.

“This medal is part of the tradition and history of the school,” Timothy shared.

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