SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth University's request for a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA for All-American running back Adam Anderson has been approved, according to Northwest Conference Commissioner Matt Newman. Anderson will now have another year of eligibility and can play football for the Pirates next season.

"We are excited that Adam has been granted another year of eligibility," said Whitworth head coach John Tully. "Having his leadership, work ethic and ability back for this coming season greatly enhances our team's chances to make another run at the league championship and participate in the national playoffs."

Anderson (Elk, Wash. - Riverside HS / Univ. of Idaho) played in only one full game in 2009. He suffered a severe ankle sprain on the opening kickoff of Whitworth's second game of the season (Univ. of La Verne). He attempted to return in the fifth game of the year, at Willamette, but re-sprained the ankle in the first quarter and was never able to play again last season.

Anderson, a two-time NWC Offensive Player of the Year, concluded the 2008 season as a D3football.com Second Team All-American and First Team All-Region honoree. Anderson led all of NCAA Division III in all-purpose yards (243.8) per game and was second in the nation in scoring average (16.89 points per game). He led the NWC in rushing yards (139.9 yards per game), touchdowns (25), total points (152) and all-purpose yards. He was named NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week three times, including when he posted a school record 324 all-purpose yards in a 41-35 win at Chapman and when he scored a school-record six touchdowns and ran for 217 yards in a 40-29 win at PLU.

In addition to the single game records noted above, Anderson holds Whitworth school records for single season all-purpose yards (2,194 in 2008), single season touchdowns (25 in 2008) and single season total points (152 in 2008). He is also Whitworth's all-time record holder for career touchdowns with 38 in just over two seasons as a Pirate.

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