HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i head men's volleyball coach
Charlie Wade along with seniors
Rado Parapunov,
Colton Cowell,
Patrick Gasman, and
James Anastassiades react to the Athletics Department's decision to extend the eligibility of its spring sports seniors for the 2020-21 academic year.
The decision allows the seniors to the opportunity to compete for the national title in 2021. UH was the top-ranked team for the better part of 2020 before the NCAA canceled the remainder of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Following the cancellation, Parapunov, Cowell, and Gasman all earned AVCA All-America honors while Parapunov was also named the Big West Conference's Player of the Year.
Earlier in the day, Athletics Director David Matlin issued this statement.
"We have created a path for student-athletes who were not able to complete their senior season of eligibility to return in the 2020-21 academic year. Details will be worked out with each program in terms of academic plans, roster management and fundraising. No new institutional funds will be used. Decisions are not always easy during these unprecedented times, however we are proceeding in a financially responsible manner and in line with our mission to graduate our student-athletes."
Anastassiades will likely return next season in a student manager role while pursuing his master's degree in athletic training. He along with Cowell and Gasman and junior
Jackson Van Eekeren were set to receive their bachelor's degree next week, however the Spring Commencement was also canceled due to the pandemic.
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