Bass, Eaton cleared
to attend UH fall campThe two will not be suspended
from school after all and
can play football this fall
Appeals for Hawaii running back Mike Bass and offensive lineman Brandon Eaton were successful, and the two regular contributors will not be suspended from school and can play football for the Warriors this fall.
After a hearing last May, a UH discipline committee recommended that Eaton, Bass, and his brother, freshman defensive back Ray Bass, be suspended for the fall semester for involvement in a fight on campus in February.
UH coach June Jones said he got word yesterday that Mike Bass and Eaton were cleared to play. Ray Bass was cleared earlier.
"They're going to be OK," Jones said. "I don't know the details. I don't understand the whole deal. We were hoping they'd be OK. They're going to be on our team this year. I'm happy about that and I'm sure they are."
Mike Bass could not be reached for comment, but Eaton said the two worked out together yesterday in preparation for fall camp that begins in less than two weeks.
"We're both relieved," Eaton said. "Now we can continue getting ready for the season without worrying. It was difficult to get really focused. In the back of my mind I didn't know how it was going to come out.
"I'm happy but I'm disappointed that it came this far," Eaton added. "The truth came out. I really can't talk about specifics but we're all OK and we're back in school."
Bass, a senior, has played in 33 games, starting 11. He has rushed 213 times for 1,217 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons.
Eaton is a fourth-year junior and second-year starter at right tackle.
Meanwhile, the status of senior running back West Keli'ikipi remains unresolved. Keli'ikipi was suspended from the football team after he was indicted on a felony theft charge last spring.
UH gets votes: Hawaii is among three Western Athletic Conference teams to get votes in the first ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.
Boise State received 99 voting points, Fresno State got 17 and UH received 5.
"I don't know what to make of that, other than hopefully at the end of the season we're still getting votes," Jones said.
USC was voted No. 1.
WAC teams normally receive more votes in the coaches poll than the Associated Press media poll. Five of the 61 voters this year are WAC coaches: Phil Bennett (Southern Methodist), Jack Bicknell (Louisiana Tech), Dan Hawkins (Boise State), Fitz Hill (San Jose State) and Pat Hill (Fresno State).
"I think anyone that plays Boise or Fresno or us understands a little more and knows that we're better than the rest of country thinks," Jones said.
Pigout set: The Pigskin Pigout football fund-raiser at Murphy's Bar & Grill is later this year than usual.
The event is set for Aug. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets, which an be picked up at the bar, are $100 for a fully hosted all-you-can eat buffet. As usual, there will be sports memorabilia and other items up for bid and UH coaches will be in attendance.
Call 531-0422 for more information.
UH Athletics
uhathletics.hawaii.edu
