Sample and Maneafaiga

Wide receiver Ian Sample is still waiting to hear from the NCAA regarding his eligibility this season. It does sound like he has a really good case:

The NCAA requested more information about a family situation in 2003 that forced Sample to withdraw from school to help with family matters when his mother, Debi, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

...

...he was hampered by injuries in 2004 and 2005, playing a total of seven games. He has 19 career catches for 243 yards and a touchdown. His appeal is also based on him playing in just three games last year before a season-ending knee injury.

So he was out of school helping out his mom for a year, and then when he came back he was injured pretty much the whole time. Hope we'll hear the good news soon.

As for Bryan Maneafaiga, he will drop his appeal with the NCAA and become a student manager.

Maneafaiga's scholarship could not be renewed until the NCAA approved his case. Maneafaiga could not afford the fall semester tuition, which was due yesterday. Although he lives in Wai'anae, he spent a few years in California, and is being charged the non-resident tuition of $5,088.20. "I don't have that kind of money," he said.

UH coach June Jones solved the dilemma by offering a job that has a compensation comparable to a football scholarship.

"He's a good guy, and he can really help us," Jones said.

It's kinda disappointing that it has to end this way, but it sounds like Bryan is happy, and June Jones is a great guy for providing this opportunity.