LB Mailo will transfer to another program

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Linebacker Anipati Mailo has decided to relinquish his University of Hawai'i football scholarship and transfer to another program.

MAILO

Mailo said his decision is based largely on his diminished playing time as a linebacker.

"I did the part they asked me to play," said Mailo, who was used on special teams. "Personally, I wasn't happy with just that. My main thing is to play some defense. That's what I want to do."

Mailo, 6 feet 1 and 246 pounds, was a member of coach June Jones' first UH recruiting class in 1999.

Mailo played in 12 games as a freshman in 1999. He spent the next two years on a church mission in Guatemala. He redshirted in 2002.

In last season's third game, against Nevada-Las Vegas, he suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He did not play again until the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Day.

Mailo said he likely will transfer to a Division I-AA or Division II school, which will enable him to play this coming season. If he transfers to another Division I-A program, according to NCAA rules, he would have to redshirt this year and, after that, have one season of eligibility remaining. If he remained at UH, he would have had two years to play two seasons.

"It's very sad to leave here," Mailo said. "I got comfortable with the guys and the program. But I have to do what's going to make me happy."

Mailo said it will be difficult to leave behind his brother, Fulutusi, who is in a wheelchair after suffering a severe injury several years ago. Fulutusi, also a former all-state linebacker at Kahuku High, was left paralyzed from the shoulders down from a beach accident. Fulutusi now attends Brigham Young-Hawai'i.

"He wants me to do what's best," Mailo said. "I have to go out there and see what's out there for me. But no matter what, I'll always take care of my family."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.