Hawai'i rescinds its offer to Perry
By Stephen Tsai and Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writers
The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday rescinded its scholarship offer to Kahuku High offensive lineman Jeremy Perry, The Advertiser has learned.
Perry acknowledged as much, telling The Advertiser last night, "I think I'm going away."
PERRY
When asked which Mainland school he would choose, he said, "I'm not sure."
He also has received scholarship offers from Arizona, Oregon State and Michigan State.
But Perry said the Warrior coaches assured him he would be welcomed if he decides to attend UH in the future.
UH's decision ends a perplexing chapter in the recruiting battle for The Advertiser's All-State Offensive Player of the Year for 2003.
Last week Tuesday, Perry told reporters he would sign with Arizona. But after a long telephone conversation with UH coach June Jones that night, he changed his mind, Perry said at the time.
On Wednesday, the first day NCAA Division I recruits were permitted to sign national letters of intent, Perry called Jones to say he would sign with the Warriors, his mother, Sherry Perry, said then.
During the signing ceremony at Kahuku High's gym on Wednesday, school officials distributed a news release announcing Perry was committing to UH.
But after a closed-door meeting, Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai announced that Perry still had not decided among offers from UH, Arizona and Oregon State.
Perry took his seat at a long desk, clutching the letters of intent from the three schools. He then pushed aside two sets of documents and signed the one from UH.
Perry confirmed his signing to three reporters at the ceremony. But by that evening, he had not faxed a copy of the letter of commitment to UH. According to NCAA rules, the commitment becomes binding only when the university receives the letter or a faxed copy.
Sherry Perry had said that Kahuku coaches advised her son to hold off on faxing a copy of the letter until he was sure he was making the correct decision.
Perry has not had direct conversation with any UH coach since Wednesday.
Yesterday, The Advertiser learned that Jones told Sherry Perry that UH would rescind its scholarship offer.
Jones declined repeated requests for comment. The NCAA prohibits coaches from commenting on unsigned recruits.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051 and Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
