The University of Hawai'i's Colt Brennan apparently is the quarterback who keeps on giving.

Not only does he pay his own tuition and school expenses, this past week — as first reported by Ka Leo O Hawai'i, UH's student newspaper — Brennan had to fork over $48 to retrieve a car that was towed while he was attending a team meeting.

"Nobody said it's easy being a walk-on," Brennan said, smiling. "Maybe next time I'll park next to coach (June) Jones. I don't think they would tow his car."

UH assistant coach Rich Miano said: "That wouldn't happen to a starting quarterback in any other institution in America. But I don't think we treat our starting quarterback like any other school, either."

Indeed, Brennan is believed to be the only Division I-A starting quarterback not receiving a football scholarship. Then again, it is not unique for walk-on to start at UH. This season, four Warriors who joined the program as walk-ons have started on offense; nine have started on defense.

Of the 60 players on the Warriors' travel roster for tomorrow's game against Louisiana, 28 — 47 percent — entered as walk-ons.

"I couldn't believe it when I learned some of the guys were walk-ons," said Jerry Glanville, who was hired as defensive coordinator in April.

Three-fourths of the starting secondary — cornerback Keao Monteilh and safeties Lono Manners and Landon Kafentzis — entered as walk-ons. Strongside outside linebacker Tanuvasa Moe, a senior who leads the Warriors with 28 tackles, did not receive a scholarship until the end of his sophomore season.

"That (jersey number) 45 (Moe) is unbelievable," Glanville said. "I can take 10 scholarships and not come back with a 45. I could come back with 10 guys and nobody would play like 45. That's unbelievable. That speaks volumes for people on the island."

Miano, who coordinates the walk-on program, said UH's interest in building through non-scholarship players dates to former head coach Dick Tomey in the late 1970s. Since Jones became UH's head coach in 1999, five former walk-ons — wideout Ashley Lelie, slotback Chad Owens, running back James Fenderson, defensive end Travis LaBoy and punter Mat McBriar — advanced to NFL careers. Miano, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, also was a former UH walk-on.

"We're logistically challenged in recruiting, and sometimes we're a little late on guys, and we don't get the best athletes in America," Miano said. "So our walk-on program has to strengthen the efforts we have with scholarship players. Local kids are sometimes overlooked because they're not as fast or as big or as strong, and they come in here with the attitude of, 'I'm good enough to play.' If they prove it, we give them a scholarship."

Miano said each non-recruited player interested in playing for UH is invited to a one-day tryout in March. The best are invited to spring practice, and after that, some are invited to training camp.

"When they get here, we treat them all the same," Miano said. "It doesn't matter if you're on scholarship or if you're a walk-on. You get a fair chance. Walk-ons might not pick up their scholarship check on the first of each month, but not one of the coaches will treat them like a scrub. They can win the job as easily as the players we've invested time and money in."

Kafentzis immediately competed for a starting job at UH after transferring from Arizona last year.

"When I was at Arizona, it wasn't like this at all," he said. "Walk-ons weren't getting a fair shot. When I talked to friends at other Pac-10 schools, they said it was the same way there."

Brennan was a walk-on at Colorado before being dismissed because of his involvement in a dormitory incident. Despite a standout season at Saddleback Community College last year, his scholarship offers were withdrawn after he was sentenced to seven days in a county jail for trespassing (entering a dormitory room) and burglary (not leaving immediately). Soon after Brennan accepted an invitation to join UH as a walk-on, San Jose State offered him a football scholarship. He turned down that offer, opting to honor his pledge to UH.

"Actually, it's cool to be a walk-on," said Brennan, who was told he would receive a scholarship at the end of the semester. "It's a blue-collar feeling. ... Two of the most famous Warriors — Chad Owens and Ashley Lelie — were walk-ons. It's a good tradition to be in."

To be sure, walk-ons endure financial burdens. Defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis said he worked in a clothing store to pay for bills. Kafentzis said he took out several loans. Nose tackle Reagan Mauia, who is married and has a child, relies on loans and his family's help. Fenderson, when he was a UH walk-on, slept in his car.

"I was valet-parking every night," Miano said of his walk-on days. "When it's all said and done, I was glad I was a walk-on. That made me work harder. That made me want to beat the scholarship player. I wanted to prove wrong all of the coaches who wouldn't give me a scholarship."

Kafentzis said: "It's definitely difficult. But in the end, it comes down to playing football, and it's worth it. I wouldn't change it for anything."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.