Delayed Summer Funds Lead To Hawaii Athletes Sleeping In Locker Room

Most college athletes feel like they eat, sleep and breathe sports, but for seven University of Hawaii student-athletes, that sleeping part started to feel a little too real recently.

About 60 Hawaii scholarship athletes were forced to scramble when their summer funds, which cover about six weeks worth of living expenses for students taking summer classes and living off campus, were delayed by nine days.

The late payments caused more of a headache for some students more than others, though, prompting seven athletes to sleep in a locker room while they waited for their checks to arrive.

Hawaii athletic director Ben Jay told The Associated Press that “clerical problems delayed processing of the scholarship funds from both the athletics department and the university’s financial aid department.”

The unlucky seven tried to make the best of their makeshift housing, eating energy bars and watching television in their locker room while the mess got sorted out. But they weren’t exactly living in luxury because the university was worried about breaking NCAA rules by buying them groceries or taking them out to eat.

“When it comes right down to it, we need to plan better,” Jay told The AP. “This should never happen again. We have a responsibility for these kids to make sure they’re taken care of. That’s what their parents expect of us.”

Photo via HawaiiNewsNow