Pope headed to court...basketball court? Hawkins is eligible

Why is it that New Mexico State seems to making the most news of all the WAC teams? Curiously, it 's more about off-the-court issues.

From the Las Cruces Sun News web site comes two more updates:

BREAKING: Pope's attorney says player is cleared
Sun News Report
12/21/2007

Herb Pope's attorney Stephen Hubert said that the player has been cleared to play basketball for the Aggies. Hubert said that Judge Jerald Valentine signed a release for Pope's Pell Grant , releasing him to play for NMSU.

"Judge Jerald Valentine today signed a restraining order restraining the NCAA from declaring Mr. Pope ineligible and ordering New Mexico State University to give him his Pell Grant," Hubert said.

NMSU has not confirmed the report.

OUR TAKE: Okay, now why is this a Pell Grant concern and not an athletic scholarship one? Is it because Pope has gone the financial aid route -- Pell Grant --something available to any student who, based on family income, qualifies instead of waiting and sitting out until the NCAA makes a athletic scholarship eligibility determination? Are we missing something here? Any assistance from any financial aid gurus out there in the audience would be appreciated.

and

Justin Hawkins to play on Saturday at Louisville
Teddy Feinberg
Las Cruces Sun-News
12/21/2007

New Mexico State University Athletics Director McKinley Boston confirmed Friday morning that Aggie forward Justin Hawkins will play in Saturday's game at Louisville.

Hawkins' status was initially in doubt because of academic issues following NMSU's fall semester. The player returned to Las Cruces following the team's Wednesday night loss to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He will be rejoining the Aggies prior to their game against Louisville.

"Justin Hawkins will be playing tomorrow," Boston said. "His issues have been cleared on our end. He will be eligible to play for the remainder of the year."

Two other players, senior center Hatila Passos and junior guard Paris Carter, are facing similar situations as Hawkins. Both of them remain in a state of flux and appear unlikely to appear in Saturday's contest.

"(Passos and Carter) will remain in Las Cruces until their issues are resolved," Boston said.

OUR TAKE: May it's just the way it happened to play out and simply a coincidence but the best player on the team gets his situation cleared up first while a contributor and a seldom-used newcomer await determinations. Plus, why isn't Coach Marvin Menzies doing the announcing instead of the A.D.? Could it be because Menzies is in Louisville with the rest of the team?