UH awards ex-Vols' RB scholarship

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Michael Brewster, a running back who transferred from Tennessee last August, has been awarded a football scholarship, UH coach June Jones announced yesterday.

As a true freshman, the 5-foot-7, 172-pound Brewster was on the Volunteers' travel roster. He rushed five times for 48 yards in 2000.

On a whim, Brewster transferred to UH. In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, Brewster redshirted last season. He was named the Warriors' Scout of the Year on Offense.

"It was an easy decision (to award the scholarship)," Jones said. "I think he definitely worked hard all last year. He looks like he's going to be a good player."

• Extra year for Berryman: Dan Berryman, who is expected to challenge for a starting job at safety, received a medical hardship from the Western Athletic Conference.

Berryman was limited because of a broken finger last season.

Berryman, who served in the military before enrolling at UH in 2000, will have three years of eligibility remaining.

UH also is awaiting word on defensive tackle Lui Fuga, who did not play last year while recovering from shoulder surgery.

While Fuga's injury is documented, what complicates the situation is the week he spent at Nevada-Las Vegas in 1998. If it was determined that Fuga was considered a full-time student in 1998, his eligibility clock would have started, leaving him with one season of eligibility, even if he is granted the medical hardship.

If Fuga was not a UNLV student, as UH officials insist, and he receives the medical hardship, he will have two years of eligibility remaining.