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Lawyer says decision date on way for OU's Balogun

 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 8/27/2009  2:25 AM
Last Modified: 8/27/2009  5:57 AM

 Mike Balogun's future with the Oklahoma football team could resume as early as Thursday.

The Sooner linebacker has been in NCAA limbo since his eligibility was decertified on Aug. 14, and since he filed a civil lawsuit against the NCAA on Aug. 18 that allowed him to keep practicing.

But Balogun's lawyer said in an e-mail interview Wednesday night that he expects to know Thursday when the NCAA will make a final determination.

Norman attorney Woody Glass also said he filed an additional supplement to his original motion for a temporary restraining order. The new supplement contains an affidavit from Charles McGriff, Balogun's former coach with the semi-pro Maryland Marauders, that supports three other sworn affidavits submitted last Friday claiming Balogun did not play for the Marauders or the Prince George Jets after his 21st birthday.

McGriff told the NCAA during its initial investigation that he thought Balogun had played for him in 2005, but in the affidavit, he says now he does not believe Balogun played for him at that time.

The NCAA is trying to determine whether Balogun played amateur or semipro (unpaid) football after Sept. 28, 2004. Several online resources indicate he did, but court documents have claimed those resources are unreliable. If the NCAA can show Balogun is in violation of Bylaw 14.2.3.5, Balogun would lose a season of college eligibility.

Glass, however, has now filed six sworn affidavits — including one from Balogun — that assert or suggest he didn't play semi-pro after turning 21. Both parties agreed to cancel a Monday hearing that had sought a permanent restraining order against the NCAA's decertification, but Glass said if the NCAA decides not to reinstate Balogun, he'll likely refile the request.

Glass earlier explained that the NCAA's legal team is reviewing all the information that he's uncovered and is considering an accord that would allow Balogun to play this season.

Glass said he thinks the NCAA is "expediting the reviewing process" in the hopes that Balogun's eligibility can be reinstated before the Sooners open the season against BYU.

Glass also said the NCAA making a decision later than Sept. 5 "is possible, but I am trying everything I can to ensure we have a decision before the season opener."

John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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5 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "OU could learn of Balogun status by Thursday," which was published on 8/26/2009.
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Fromtheright, Tulsa (8/27/2009 6:24:42 AM)
Lies followed by more lies. Buy hey, this is U of O. football.
Report Comment
Justabill1, Morris (8/27/2009 6:32:01 AM)
fromtheright, is that your opinion based on fact or are you just using your aggie theory which is totally useless????
Report Comment
Dweeb, (8/27/2009 9:14:32 AM)
Balogun is a cross between Bakugon and Houligan
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (8/27/2009 11:47:59 AM)
A decision needs to be made ASAP, one way or another.
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TulsaSooner23, Tulsa (8/27/2009 6:37:32 PM)
"How many times is he going to be in the news?"

Some of us actually care about OU football...
 

 
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