For a couple of former Rainbows, the end of their pro careers didn't mean the end of their education.

Tim Montgomery and Clary Carlsen were drafted and signed by pro teams out of Hawai'i. But when their playing careers ended, both returned to settle unfinished business: get their college degrees. Both are back in class at UH-Manoa and will attend tomorrow's Alumni Game, 1 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium. There will be no admission charge.

Montgomery, an outfielder who played from 2001 to 2003, was drafted in the 23rd round by the Cleveland Indians after his junior season. He signed late and did not play until the 2004 season. Injuries hampered his progress, beginning with a knee injury and later a torn labrum. He was released early last year.

"After I hurt my shoulder, it kind of took the wind out of my sails," Montgomery said. "I'm just being realistic. After I got released, my arm wasn't what it used to be; it was frustrating. Right now, I just want to take care of school."

Carlsen, a right-hander who pitched for UH in 2003 and 2004, spent two seasons in the Phillies organization after being drafted in the 33rd round after his senior season with the Rainbows. He was released before last season. He returned here last spring and enrolled last fall. He and Montgomery are roommates.

"It was a lot of fun," Carlsen said of his stint. "I played on a couple of really bad teams, but I had a lot of great experiences. I'd recommended it to anybody who gets the chance. There are a lot of politics and I was a victim of them. But I have no complaints. That's the way it is. It's a business. I'm still thankful to them for giving me a chance."

Montgomery is working on a degree in communications with hopes of a career that involves sports media. He hopes to graduate in May 2008.

Carlsen is seeking a degree in biology and wants to get into marine science. He hopes to graduate this winter.

Hawai'i coach Mike Trapasso is pleased that his former players are working on their degrees. He added that Esteban Lopez and Issac Omura, both in pro ball, took classes in the fall semester.

"It indicates the type of people they are," Trapasso said. "They're quality kids who come from quality families."

While their efforts might help the program's graduation rates, it does not help the Academic Progress Rate, which the NCAA uses to measure athletes' progress toward graduation. Last year, Hawai'i lost 1.7 of the maximum 11.7 scholarships it can award because of a subpar rating. The APR, while it has waivers for players turning pro, has a prescribed time frame for graduating.

"To me, the most important thing is that you graduate," Trapasso said, "not how long it takes to graduate."

The Alumni have confirmed at least 11 players for tomorrow's exhibition: Matt Inouye (Chicago White Sox), Lopez (Los Angeles Dodgers), Paul Ah Yat, Tyler Cheff, Derek Honma, Todd Koishigawa, Ron Nomura, Robbie Wilder, Franz Yuen, Carlsen and Justin Costi.

Montgomery said he will attend, but has been nursing a sprained ankle from playing basketball.

NOTES

Ian Harrington, Matt Daly, Jayson Kramer and Craig Johnson are scheduled to pitch against the Alumni, UH coach MIke Trapasso said. Trapasso said he is leaning toward Daly to start because he hasn't had as many starts in scrimmages.

Left-hander Mark Rodrigues still hasn't been cleared to play while awaiting approval of his petition for a sixth-year of eligibility. He was pegged to be one of the three starting pitchers along with Harrington and Nick Rhodes. If Rodrigues is not cleared by the Jan. 26 opener, Daly or Tyler Davis will fill the void, Trapasso said. Each made two starts last season.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.