In 'Born to Lead,' filmmakers chronicle the inspiring legacy of Sal Aunese
BOULDER, Colo. — Alofa. In Samoan culture, this word means love. In the new film, “Born To Lead: The Sal Aunese Story”, alofa is apparent in those who were closest to Sal Aunese as they spoke fondly of their beloved brother, friend and teammate. The Samoan quarterback, who came to the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1986 and captured the hearts of the entire “Buffs nation” before dying from stomach cancer in 1989, is the subject of the documentary, which will air on Rocky Mountain PBS.
Aunese came to Boulder from Oceanside, California. A highly touted recruit in high school, Aunese was a terrific athlete who was a dual-threat as a runner and passer. Though he had offers from some of the best college football programs in the country, it was his desire to help build — not just join — a winning program that led him to join Colorado’s team. With Aunese under center, the Buffs began to climb the Big 8 standings. On the field, he captivated fans week after week. His character off the field, however, is what friends and family say they remember the most. Aunese’s teammates described him as the glue that brought the team together during some of the most controversial times in the team’s history. Many said that without Aunese as their quarterback, they would have left the team or worse, left school all together.
After his second season as the leader of the team, Aunese contracted a rare form of inoperable stomach cancer that sidelined him and eventually claimed his life. He was just 21 years old.
In the film, Aunese’s former teammates recall learning of the quarterback’s shocking diagnosis just months before his death. In true “Sal” form, though, his team said he never complained or showed fear.
After Aunese’s passing, the Colorado players rallied and started an amazing run toward the Orange Bowl. Playing in the prestigious game was one of Aunese’s dreams. The Buffaloes won back-to-back Big 8 Conference titles in 1989 and 1990. They made it to the Orange Bowl twice, losing to Notre Dame in 1990 before defeating the Fighting Irish in 1991 to win the National Championship.
“It was an incredible time, and I think that it allowed the student body to really coalesce,” said George Antonopoulos, the film’s producer.
Antonopoulos is a CU graduate. He entered school the same semester as Aunese in 1986. Although the two did not directly know each other, Antonopoulos said the feeling of hope on campus was palpable.
“The football team overcame incredible obstacles to win the national championship and Sal’s spirit helped make that a reality,” he said. Even before he graduated, Antonopoulos knew the story of Sal Aunese needed to be told, and he felt that he was destined to make this film.
“Everybody knew it was a great story, but it took a special gift to make this story happen,” Antonopoulos explained.
Antonopoulos, a former football player himself, said that telling the story in a way that would honor Aunese — both the man and the player — would take someone who could meet three criteria: football knowledge; patience, as this film would take years to complete; and a CU alumnus who understood the gravity of Aunese’s story. Antonopoulos has all three.
“It was my gift to the project. I watched it unfold before my eyes,” he said. The actual production of the film began just over a decade ago, but the idea began to take form many years prior, when Antonopoulos met Lara Slife. Slife was no stranger to storytelling. She is an accomplished actor who studied with professionals from Juilliard and The Neighborhood Playhouse. When Antonopoulos began telling her of his idea for the film, she shared in his excitement and suggested that his project be a feature-length documentary. “It was just so extraordinary,” Slife recalled. “I said, ‘Well, I think we should do a documentary and I’m willing to direct it.’”
“He showed me footage, and it was something you could just feel," Slife continued. "You could see the love.”
That love — that alofa — is evident in “Born To Lead: The Sal Aunese Story,” airing Thursday, Sept. 14 at 8:00 p.m. on Rocky Mountain PBS.
William Peterson is a senior multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at williampeterson@rmpbs.org.