For years, Michael did not know if his parents were alive or dead. Now the whole family is united.

Through the efforts of Sam Houston director of athletics Bobby Williams, associate athletic director Chris Thompson and compliance coordinator Curtis Collier, the Sam Houston athletic department obtained funding for a round trip ticket to the Sudan and ground transportation so that he may spend three months this summer with his family.

The money came from the NCAA's Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund, one of many efforts by the NCAA using dollars generated by the "March Madness" basketball championships. The NCAA provides grants through each conference and provides guidance for what the money may be used. Sam Houston applied for funding the trip for Michael through the Southland Conference office.

Julius arrived home on May 28.  The final leg of the journey was an 11 hour bus ride from Kampala, Uganda to Moyo. His sisters met him at the bus stop and walked him back home - a five-hour walk. Julius said he ate lots of granola bars on the trip to ease himself into the food at home.

"Everything has gone so well. It is unbelievable. The whole town prepared a 'welcome home' party for me with lots of relatives, friends and church family to celebrate with us. When I first arrived my father, mother and sisters treated me like royalty," Julius said.

In March 1997 his family sent seven-year old Julius to the United Nations assistance group so that he could be sent to America. He found a home in Houston with Martha Yuggu where he attended Lamar High School and eventually earned a scholarship to Sam Houston where he participates in cross country and track.

(For a detailed account of Julius' story see Running for His Life)

For 12 years of separation Michael learned nothing about his parents and sisters. In July 2009, however, he received word his parents were alive and he had additional siblings. Within a short time frame, he got to speak to his parents on the telephone and he was granted his American citizenship.

Julius learned of his trip home at the annual Sam Houston All-Sports Banquet in April.

"Julius is such a special person and has been through so much, it was a thrill to be able to present him with this opportunity," Thompson said. "Julius always finds the positive side. His life story is amazing, but more importantly what all of us can learn from him is even better. Funding the trip home is permissible by the NCAA through the student-athlete opportunity fund and no one deserves this more than Julius."

Michael is a year away from graduation and plans on becoming a world history teacher.

"The award was so wonderful and such a surprise. I was speechless and didn't know what to say," Michael said. "Coming to Sam Houston State is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I want to teach history in high school because I feel have a lot to share with kids. So many people - my coach and my counselor in high school and the coaches and staff here have made it possible for me to come this far. I feel like I can help kids the same way"

The Sam Houston athletic department receives updates from Michael every three weeks. The nearest internet access is two to three hours walk away.

"We here that Julius is doing great and sounds so happy," Thompson said. "Lots of extended family members have come to visit him and more are on the way. We can't wait to hear from Julius about his experiences when he returns to Huntsville for the fall semester."