Derek Fa'avi, a center who joined the University of Hawai'i football team as a non-scholarship player, was named the Warriors' Most Valuable Player at the annual awards banquet last night at the Ilikai Hotel.

Fa'avi, a graduate of Campbell High School, completed his UH career at the end of Saturday night's 49-38 victory over San Diego State.

Defensive end Melila Purcell III, who has endured knee and elbow injuries this season, won the Ben Yee Most Inspirational Award. Purcell, who did not play as a freshman in 2002, will be granted an extra season of eligibility if he makes significant progress toward a bachelor's degree. He said he is on track to meet that goal.

Cornerback Kenny Patton, who is majoring in English, won the team's Scholar-Athlete Award for the second consecutive year.

GLANVILLE SAYS HE PLANS TO RETURN TO UH IN '06

UH defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville is returning this week to his home in Dawsonville, Ga., where he will spend Christmas with his family for the fifth time in the past 25 years.

"I'm always working during the holidays," said Glanville, who was head coach of two National Football League teams and a football television analyst.

Glanville has had discussions about filling coaching vacancies at Northern Michigan and Temple but expects to return to UH for a second year. He ended a 12-year hiatus from coaching when he signed with UH last spring as a favor to UH coach June Jones.

"I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't help June as much as he helped me," Glanville said. "Grading myself, I thought I would help him more than I did."

If he were to leave UH, Glanville said, "it would have to be something really special ... something I'm not aware of that's going to be offered."

Other than that, Glanville said, "I'm going to fulfill my promise to help him."

JUNIOR COLLEGE RECEIVER SAYS UH HIS TOP CHOICE

C.J. Hawthorne, a wide receiver from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, said the Warriors remain as his top choice.

Hawthorne, who is 5 feet 11 and 160 pounds, completed his recruiting visit last night. He said he will make a decision after visiting Troy this weekend.

"Most definitely, Hawai'i is winning," he said. "I love it over here. I want to still look at other schools first."

He also has received a scholarship offer from Southern Mississippi.

AUDITION LEADS TO TIME IN BACKFIELD FOR MAUIA

Thousands of years ago, someone looked at a live lobster and first thought, "Food."

Two weeks ago, Jeff Reinebold, who coordinates UH's scout teams, looked at 6-foot, 351-pound nose tackle Reagan Mauia and thought, "Running back."

"Jeff does a good job of looking around at guys who aren't on (the first or second string), and building a (scout) team," Glanville said.

To simulate Wisconsin's physical running attack, Reinebold selected Mauia to portray a Badger back in practices against the Warriors' first-team defense.

"I watched the tape, and I could see he could do it," Jones said.

Glanville said: "June is probably the best coach in football in paying attention to what kids do on scout teams. He noticed that (Mauia) looked so good against our defense. June looked at me and said, 'I'm going to try him (on offense),' and the next day he was on offense."

Against San Diego State, Mauia rushed for 56 yards on 10 carries, and provided powerful backside blocking for quarterback Colt Brennan. Mauia had played offensive guard in junior college last year.

"He's going to be even better next year when he's in shape," Jones said. "He's really a good blocker."

Jones said Mauia would be "unbelievable" at 260 pounds. "Even if he gets down to the high 260s, he'll be effective," Jones added. "I mean, did you see him move at 350?"

Jones said he would like to see Mauia lose part of the weight by the start of spring practice in late March and the rest by the opening of training camp in August.

WASHINGTON TO PLAY HERE, OR HELP FIND FOE

UH athletic director Herman Frazier said Washington will either play here next December or help the Warriors find a replacement.

Two months ago, Washington and UH reached a tentative agreement to meet in December 2006, Frazier said. He said he was told there were some "issues" raised by Washington that prevented the deal from being finalized. Because UH had canceled negotiations with other schools for that date, Frazier said, Washington is obligated to help find a replacement if it decides not to play here.

UH has 11 football games scheduled for next season. It is allowed to play 13 regular-season games. Frazier said he likely will fill one of the openings with a Division I-AA school.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.