APR, Ilaoa

Stephen Tsai has details about how the NCAA APR will affect UH.

Although the University of Hawai'i football team made a significant academic improvement last year, head coach June Jones is not satisfied, saying, "Our goal is 100 percent."

The football team will lose one scholarship after failing to meet NCAA guidelines measuring eligibility and enrollment. Last year, the Warriors had to relinquish five scholarships.

"I know we're doing better, but we have to keep improving," Jones said.

...

The scholarship forfeitures may be spread out over several years. Last year, the Warriors decided to take the penalty at once, leaving them with a maximum 80 scholarships for the 2006 season. If they accept this year's penalty immediately, they will have a maximum 84 scholarships for the 2007 season.

None of UH's other 18 sports incurred a scholarship penalty. Softball and women's volleyball had perfect scores of 1,000 for the academic year ending last summer.

Jones has made several moves to improve the Warriors' academic rating. If a player's grade-point average dips below a certain level, he is not allowed to participate in spring practice, even if the GPA is above the NCAA eligibility minimum.

"A lot of guys missed spring because they hadn't done the job in the classroom," Jones said. "That was the same before the APR, but now you have to make sure you do the job."

Good to hear the Warriors are improving in the classroom. Props to the students and the coaches.

And here's an article from Delawareonline.com, reviewing the Philadelphia Eagles draft picks, which has a short section on Nate Ilaoa.

Like third-round pick Tony Hunt, Ilaoa can also see playing time fast. Durability concerns over Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter, along with the team's never-ending search for an effective between-the-tackles runner to spell Westbrook, leave the door open for both backs to earn repetitions.

Hunt's a sheer power runner while Ilaoa -- nicknamed "Nasti" -- is deceptively agile for his 245-pound body frame. Ilaoa set a record at Hawaii for receptions and receiving yards by a running back.

"I've been able to watch the Eagles play and I always felt it was a good fit for me in Philadelphia, because of the things Westbrook is able to do -- catch the ball out of the backfield and line up between the tackles as well," Ilaoa said.

Let's hope Nasti gets his chance!