FSU blew whistle on OU's Mike Balogun
Jake Trotter
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Published: August 20, 2009
Modified: August 21, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Modified: August 21, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Oklahoma associate head coach defensive coordinator linebackers Brent Venables, right, talks to Mike Balogun (10) during football practice at Barry University in Miami, Friday, Jan. 2, 2009. Oklahoma plays Florida in the BCS Championship NCAA college football game on Thursday, Jan. 8. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)
NORMAN — In the first half of the BCS National Championship game, Mike Balogun corralled Florida running back Chris Rainey for a 3-yard loss. It turned out to be just another play in the game. But for Balogun, it’s a play that has become career-altering.
Perhaps eventually career-ending. Court documents obtained by The Oklahoman from Balogun’s lawsuit against the NCAA allege that comments made by the FOX TV announcers immediately after that play ultimately sparked the NCAA’s inquiry into Balogun’s past. "He played a little semi-pro ball, the Prince George Jets, the Maryland Marauders, before he went to Lackawanna,” color commentator Charles Davis pointed out during the telecast. According to court records, the day after watching the title game and hearing Davis’ remarks about Balogun’s semi-pro past, an official from Florida State's compliance office contacted the Big 12 Conference and suggested the league investigate Balogun’s eligibility. Florida State officials were familiar with the rule since they had a player, wide receiver Corey Surrency, whose career was cut short after it was found earlier this year he had played a season of semi-pro football past the age of 21. Now, Balogun is trying to avoid Surrency’s fate. Balogun filed a civil lawsuit Tuesday against the NCAA and was granted a temporary restraining order against the governing body by a Cleveland County Court judge. The lawsuit is in reaction to the NCAA’s investigation about Balogun’s eligibility. The NCAA questions whether Balogun played semi-pro football after his 21st birthday. Per NCAA rules, for every season an athlete plays semi-pro football past his 21st birthday, he loses a season of eligibility. Since Balogun is a senior, losing a season of eligibility would end his college career. "Mike Balogun is a nice, intelligent young man,” said his attorney, Woody Glass, of Norman. "He’s been through so much. We’re hopeful of providing an avenue for him to continue to play at OU. It’s unfortunate he finds himself in this position.” Balogun finds himself in this position due largely to the aftermath of being singled out on national TV during the championship. Big 12 officials followed up on Florida State's tip, but came away satisfied with the information OU’s compliance department provided on Balogun. But Florida State's compliance office apparently wasn’t satisfied. This time, Seminole officials went straight to OU and pointed out they had found a box score on the Internet reflecting Balogun had played semi-pro ball after his 21st birthday. Balogun turned 21 on Sept. 28, 2004. OU officials responded they were aware of the box score, but believed it to be inaccurate. However, OU compliance decided to reopen the issue and interviewed Dennis Felton, an ex-assistant coach for the North American Football League’s Maryland Marauders, Balogun’s former semi-pro team. Felton told OU compliance he thought Balogun played for the Marauders from 2004-06, suggesting Balogun participated in semi-pro football well after his 21st birthday. University officials passed along this information to the NCAA, which renewed its investigation about Balogun’s semi-pro history. However, a sworn affidavit obtained by OU compliance and produced in the lawsuit from the former owner of the Marauders contradicts what Felton told OU compliance. In the affidavit, Gary Rice states that Balogun only participated with the Marauders during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The Marauders’ season went from June-September. In his own sworn affidavit, Balogun also states he didn’t play for the Marauders past 2004, which means he would’ve completed his semi-pro career prior to turning 21. But information on the Internet counters those affidavits. On the NAFL’s Web site, Balogun is listed in a recap and box score of the 2005 NAFL title game, played in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 12, 2005. According to the Web site, Balogun recorded seven tackles and recovered a fumble in a 13-10 loss to the West Sound (Wash.) Saints. He would have been 22 in November 2005. The Web site semiprofootball.org also lists Balogun as a 2005 all-star for the NAFL’s Eastern Conference as a member of the Marauders. But according to court documents in Balogun’s lawsuit, OU officials interviewed Terry Sullivan, a former commissioner of the NAFL. Sullivan told OU that the NAFL’s information on the Internet was often inaccurate, and after reviewing his records, didn’t believe Balogun had played with the Marauders past the age of 21. Court documents in the lawsuit do not address Balogun’s stint with the Prince George Jets, a semi-pro team he reportedly joined between playing for the Marauders and enrolling in Lackawanna in the spring of 2006. It is unknown if Balogun played in any games for the Jets. Balogun has not been available for comment since the announcement that his eligibility was being questioned. Prior to transferring to OU from Lackawanna, the NCAA interviewed Balogun about his semi-pro past, then certified his eligibility in May 2008. Balogun played in 10 games last season, including his start in the national title, where he recorded a season-high six tackles. This fall, he was expected to back up starter Ryan Reynolds at middle linebacker. In his lawsuit, Balogun is seeking at least $10,000 in damages from the NCAA. A court hearing for a temporary injunction is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday before Judge Tom Lucas. Per its clearinghouse rules, the NCAA allowed Balogun to practice with the team through Wednesday. OU officials have said they are not sure whether Balogun will be allowed to keep practicing. But if the injunction is granted, Balogun could be allowed to continue.
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GO POKES!
ANOTHER BIG 12 TITLE, ALL-AMERICANS ON OFFENSE AND DEFENSE, BCS GAME AND MOST LIKELY ANOTHER SHOT AT FLORIDA FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
BOOMER SOONER 4EVER!
I find it strange that the league owner would state the internet was often not accurate. What about the league website. Is that inaccurate also?