He has petitioned for three athletes to receive their sixth year this year alone. So far Bradley and football player Mike Pawlikowski have been granted their requests. Fellow-wrestler James Woodall, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament Dec 30 in the finals of the Midlands Tournament, is awaiting word from the powers that be.

Bove says the process is pretty straight forward.

"In order to extend the clock, you have to demonstrate that you've had a hardship that keeps you from competing from one year."

In Bradley's case, his recurring back ailments have kept him out nearly three years.

According to Bove these hardships are not confined to the medical conditions of the athlete. Another example, Bove said, is if a family member gets sick and the student-athlete has to work or leave school.

The NCAA formula has specific guidelines. If the petitioner misses two seasons under the following criteria, the athlete receives the sixth year:

1) The petitioner misses the second half of the season and 2) The petitioner participated no more than 20 percent of the first half of the same season

Bove petitioned on Bradley's behalf, sending the All-American's files from the Penn State Sports Medicine Department, a division of the College of Medicine. From there, Bradley's records, which include medications, doctors' visits, and rehabilitation workout charts, to NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind.

On April 5, Penn State coach Troy Sunderland received an e-mail message from Bove notifying him that Bradley would be returning for the 2005-2006 campaign.

"I think my staff assistants heard me a few offices down yelling," Sunderland said of his reaction to the news.

He called Eric, who had just left Rec Hall, telling him to return to the wrestling room in the south gym.

"Coach told me to come back so I knew it was either good news or bad news," Bradley said. "Then when I saw the coaches I knew I got it."

Bradley placed fourth at the NCAA Tournament in the 184-pound weight class, earning All-America honors.

"This year was a stepping stone," Bradley said. I want to be number one. That's my goal. I'm glad I get another chance at it."

His coach could feel the burden fall off Bradley as he heard the news.

"It was a relief for him," Sunderland said. "Now he can come back and hopefully win a national title."

His teammates were just as excited as Bradley and his long-time coach.

"That afternoon I told the team and everyone erupted in applause. It's big for the team just to have somebody with everything he's been back to help lead the team," Sunderland said.

Bradley, who co-captained the team last year, will undoubtedly do so again but in an even more pronounced role.

"I've talked with him about being more vocal and taking more leadership roles with the team. Just his presence on the team and the ability he has," Sunderland said. "His consistency across the board in terms of his training and being a good student success, and the success with the competition [is huge to have back.]"

But now he's recovering from an injury he sustained at the NCAA Championships.

The rising sixth-year senior partially tore his LCL in his quarterfinal match against Ryan Glynn of Illinois.

Bradley fought through three more matches after the injury, but has shut it down since he returned from St. Louis. He will be ready when the season begins in late fall.

"It's still a little sore, but I'll be good to go," Bradley.