The Mountain West Conference approved an appeal enabling quarterback Beau Reilly to officially join the University of Hawaii football team.

In February, Reilly made an oral commitment. The snag was that Reilly, who returned from a two-year church mission last fall, initially signed with MWC member Colorado State in 2011. A player transferring between MWC schools needs league approval to receive an athletic scholarship from his new school.

In the appeal, it was argued that the Rainbow Warriors were members of the Western Athletic Conference when Reilly signed with CSU in 2011. UH joined the MWC in football on July 1, 2012.

Jim McElwain, who was hired as CSU’s head coach, did not recruit Reilly. McElwain approved the transfer request and wrote a letter strongly supporting Reilly’s appeal.

Peter Nicholson, UH’s faculty representative, presented Reilly’s case during an MWC conference call on Tuesday.

The MWC unanimously approved Reilly’s appeal.

Reilly signed with the Warriors on Tuesday afternoon. He is eligible to compete with the Warriors when he enrolls at UH this summer.

Reilly said Chow’s assurances and McElwain’s endorsement "made me confident" the appeal would be granted.

"I’m not going to lie, I had a little doubt because you just never really know," Reilly said. "That whole day I was pacing back and forth in my house."

After being notified of the approval, Reilly recalled, "There was a lot of relief. It’s going to make me work even harder."

Reilly is 6 feet 5 and 190 pounds. He led San Diego’s Valley Center High to consecutive title-game appearances in the state Division IV postseason.

Reilly said he will move to Hawaii in two weeks. He plans to watch UH’s spring training, which begins April 1. The Warriors’ spring practices are open to the public. Reilly, who will live with a family friend, will pay his own expenses until he goes on scholarship this summer.

The Warriors will have five QBs in spring training Taylor Graham, Ikaika Woolsey, Jeremy Higgins, Adonis Phillips and Hunter Hughes. Phillips and Hughes are walk-ons. Hughes was invited after doing well in a tryout among UH students last month.

A week ago, Reilly made another significant commitment. He invited his girlfriend to meet his three brothers who are living in Utah.

When she arrived at Salt Lake City International Airport, Reilly took a knee, then offered an engagement ring.

"We got applause and everything," Reilly said. "It was really cool. It’s been really nice."

The couple plans to marry this summer.