UH's Fuga granted sixth year by NCAA

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The anchor of the University of Hawai'i football team's defense is staying in place.

The NCAA yesterday granted defensive tackle Lui Fuga a special extension that will allow him to play as a sixth-year senior this coming season. His request was based on the season-ending injury he suffered in the 2002 opener. "I'm very happy and very grateful," said Fuga, a 1998 Waipahu High graduate.

In August 1998, Fuga visited Nevada-Las Vegas but did not practice with the Rebels nor enroll in school. His eligibility clock started in January 1999 when he enrolled at UH. The NCAA allows its football players five years to play four seasons.

Fuga played for UH in 1999 and 2000, but did not participate in 2001 while recovering from surgery to both shoulders. The NCAA granted Fuga a medical hardship, essentially a redshirt year, for the 2001 season.

In the 2002 opener, Fuga suffered a broken bone and torn ligaments in his left ankle when he was struck by an Eastern Illinois lineman. UH coaches had charged that the injury was inflicted maliciously.

After playing last season, Fuga, through the UH athletic department's compliance office, sought the special extension.

UH coaches were confident Fuga would receive an extra season despite the NCAA's record of usually reserving special exemptions for non-football injuries. In 1983, the NCAA granted UH's Emlen Kahoano an extra season after he suffered a heart ailment. But former UH players Jonathan Kauka and Jason Mane were denied extensions after suffering on-field injuries.

"I was concerned when people kept asking me, 'Are you going to get it?' " Fuga said. "I believed I was going to get it. It comes from my trust in God. He knows my heart."

UH coach June Jones said he would have pursued other appeals if Fuga's request had been denied. "The way he was injured ... I've never seen anything like that," Jones said. "I would have done anything to help Lui."

Fuga emerged from spring practice as the starting defensive left tackle.

"He's not just the head of our defensive line, he's the head of our team," defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said.

In May 2003, Fuga earned a bachelor's degree in communications. He is pursuing a master's in education administration. Fuga and his fiancee, Kimberly Lutu, are expecting a child in June.

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