Five years ago, Chad Brinker chased a dream?to play running back at the Division 1-A level. While several other collegiate suitors offered the Martins Ferry native scholarships to play as a defensive back, Ohio Bobcat coaches believed Brinker would do just fine toting the ball for the Green and White.

One season ago, Brinker, by then a starting tailback for Ohio, had another dream: just to return to the playing field after being sidelined midseason with a brain cyst that required emegency surgery.

Both times, things worked out well for the hard-nosed Brinker, and he finished his career fourth on Ohio's all-time rushing charts with 2,826 yards. In 2002, he returned from his brain surgery to carry the ball for a hard-earned 1,099 yards, despite playing fullback for the first time behind an offensive line missing its star performer. His reward is a trip to Hawaii for a spot in the Hula Bowl Maui All-Star game, where he will perform under the scrutiny of NFL scouts.

"My career at Ohio has really been a blessing," said Brinker. "OU is the only school that believed in me as a running back."

Brinker is the second Bobcat in as many years to play in a collegiate All-Star game, as current Ravens punter Dave Zastudil made the rounds a year ago. One of Brinker's predecessors at running back for Ohio, Steveland Hookfin, played in a 1999 all-star game before signing with the Atlanta Falcons.

It won't be all fun in the sun for Brinker as he chases his latest dream, to play in the NFL. In fact, Brinker already is working out four to five hours a day under a program developed by Ohio Strength Coach Sonny Sano, who worked with NFL standouts like Michael Vick and Andre Davis while at Virginia Tech. Workouts include lifting, running, skill drills or, as Brinker puts it, "everything I can."

"He (Sano) really knows what it takes," said Brinker.

History shows it's probably not wise to bet against Mr. Brinker.

The Hula Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1, at 4:00 p.m. HST in Maui's War Memorial Stadium.