Big XII turned blind eye to Balogun's eligibility, so FSU ratted him out to the NCAA
by Wrangler86 on Aug 20, 2009 5:32 PM CDT
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http://myespn.go.com/blogs/big12/0-12-143/Court-records-reveal-FSU-turned-in-OU-in-Balogun-case.html
It looks like Florida State’s compliance folks are the ones that ratted out OU's Balogun. While watching the national championship game they heard the announcers talking about Balogun's long football journey and they knew that he was probably not in compliance because the NCAA had used the over 21 y.o. rule against them to bar an FSU player. They reported it to the Big XII compliance department, but the Big XII didn't want to rock the boat with OU and ignored them. So, FSU upped the ante and it took to the NCAA.
Balogun his filed a T.R.O. to stop the NCAA from decertifying him, but he better be careful. There seems to be convincing evidence and stats about his semi-pro play after turning 21 y.o. He apparently filed an Affidavit claiming he did not play after turning 21 y.o. Losing NCAA eligibility stinks for him, but turning the mess into a perjury case is even worse.
OU is still on probation for the Bomar car dealership nonsense. If they let Balogun participate and the NCAA ruling sticks (which seems likely), they are in a lot more trouble.
The NCAA previously certified him as "eligible" but it seems likely that the certification was based on false testimony about the dates of his semi-pro playing time. Does that cause OU to be in violation of any rules and subject to any sanctions or do they get to play the no knowledge free-pass card? Does that mean OU isn’t the Big XII Champ? I would love that—no asterisk required.
On a totally different note but still related to OU compliance issues. Since top rated RB Bryce Brown has been found ineligible at Tenn. due to travel issues with his hander Brian Butler, does that suggest that the other Butler players that made the trips are next in line on the ineligible list? I don’t know if OU’s Jaydan Bird made any of these trips with Butler, but he was definitely associated with Butler.
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Holy crap the NCAA needs to do something.... now!
Over the past 18 months, the NCAA rulings and enformencement depts have really dropped the ball. Between the Bush/USC/Mayo rulings and everything else that has happened in the last 4-5 months, the only things ive seen happen is them taking away some wins from a no longer viable Memphis B Ball program. For goodness sakes, I know im not the only one in this boat when I say that this is an outrage? Is it really going to take one of the coaches openly admitting that he bought a yacht for one of his players for the NCAA to get off their nuts and take action? Heck, half the time the evidence isnt even unearthed by the NCAA themselves. Its usually like E60 or YahooSports.com that actually does their job for them…….
by greenspointexas on Aug 20, 2009 5:53 PM CDT reply actions
the NCAA
doesn’t have the depth, the money, nor the manpower to do investigations to the level you think they do. I’m not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, and I believe the country would be better off if half of them were shot, but I’m guessing that the biggest issue facing the NCAA is the sheer amount of lawsuits they face whenever they try to do something, like enforce something tough that has broad-reaching consequences that no one wants to experience unless they’re levied against the other guy’s team.
I realize y’all are all about beating on the Sooners, but his was a chicken shit move by the FSU compliance officer, who won’t have to step on the field and play Oklahoma next season. The guy probably won’t even make the trip to Oklahoma.
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by Jon Johnston on Aug 20, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I have to disagree
This is not about “beating on the sooners”, it’s about all of us playing by the same rules. I fail to see why it’s not okay just because “FSU won’t have to step on the field and play oklahoma”. I don’t think they will be punished, but I also don’t think this kid should play if he lied to them and to the NCAA clearinghouse.
Didn’t the NCAA rule Dogus had to sit out because he played for a semi-pro team?
"From the waist down, Earl Campbell has the biggest legs I have ever seen on a running back." -John Madden
by run Bevo run on Aug 20, 2009 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Not a chicken shit move.
They were trying to establish an equal rule. One of their players was ruled ineligible a couple of years ago for the exact same reasons and they just want the rules to be enforced equally at all establishments. They weren’t attempting to pick on OU out of every team and try to find some dirt on them. They happened on a story while watching a game and realized what he was doing was illegal per NCAA rules.
Also, the compliance officer of FSU turned them in. He’s cleaning up on a poor job done by OU in regards to following the rules. I have no sympathy for a player who lied and tried to beat the system. (Or OU knew about it and covered it up — Something I would like to believe but it probably isn’t true.)
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
by HornPossessed on Aug 20, 2009 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I would be shocked as hell if OU was hit by this too hard
I think you have it exactly right. OU plays the “what happened?” card, the player loses eligibility. Maybe there’s a fine.
OU (and, to be fair, other similar level programs)
could pay the entire roster and still not get severely punished. The SMU case showed the NCAA what mega penalties will do, and while the NCAA might be willing to hang a Memphis or Pan American or Eastern Washington out to dry, they won’t do that with a BCS-level program.
Which means those programs (coaches, boosters) so inclined can push the envelope some.
Which means NCAA is a joke.
NCAA enforcement is a joke.
Self enforcement is a joke.
Laissez-faire football.
FSU plays OU in Norman on Sept. 11, 2010
What day that will be in Norman.
FSU kind of had a motive, but it is still only fair that the rules be applied equally especially when they lost a player under the rule. The real thing that got me with this story is that FSU notified the Big XII and the Big XII protected OU and did nothing. I think the other Big XII teams need to ask themselves why the Big XII ignored this very important piece of information from FSU and failed to take action.
I have a question...
If ou has to vacate wins do they also have to vacate the ones in the postseason, because those are BCS games not NCAA…. oh wait that’s right… nevermind
by Frazier90 on Aug 20, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs
Let me try to clear this up a little
I don’t think that you have a clear understanding of the situation. There are no possible ramifications for Oklahoma in this other than the possibility of losing Balogun. The `08 season is in no way in question (as much as some of you would like it to be) because the issue is whether he is eligible for this season and not last season. The way the rule reads is that an athlete loses one year of eligibility for each 12 month period in which he participates in a "pro sport." What is at question is if Mike Balogun played in the championship game after he turned 21. If it turns out that he did then he’ll lose one of his two seasons of eligibility which would be 2009.
A few other things to note here:
The Big 12 didn’t turn a "blind eye." They interviewed the president of the team and he said that Balogun only played one season and was not on the team in question. That was satisfactory to the conference and they moved on.
Mike Balogun wasn’t paid to play in the North American Football League. In fact he paid dues and fees from his own pocket to play.
The North American Football League is self-admitted amateur league.
The North American Football League is a self-sustaining level of adult amateur football that allows players to develop their skills or simply participate for “the love of the game.” – Taken from the NAFL website.
I’ll never be mistaken for a Dirt Thieves fan, but I’m on board with this take. The conference didn’t turn a blind eye, FSU was just seeking equal enforcement, and there would be no reason to punish OU (sucks) for this, particularly since he has yet to play in a single NCAA game.
by burntorangehorn on Aug 21, 2009 6:59 AM CDT up reply actions
He played last year including the MNC failure
since he has yet to play in a single NCAA game
but was eligible unless his coach was correct about when he played (‘04-’06).
Really? Thought he was a 2009 transfer.
Ah well; I stand corrected. Looks like more vacation in in order.
by burntorangehorn on Aug 21, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Blind eye.
Where did you get that they
interviewed the president [owner] of the team and he said that Balogun only played one season and was not on the team in question.
In fact, OU compliance did that according to NewsOK and implies that it was after OU compliance renewed the investigation.
As it turns out it looks like the conference did turn a blind eye
Interestingly, it appears that Florida State officers went to great lengths to check out Balogun’s case. They initially told the Big 12 Conference, but were told the conference was satisfied with Oklahoma’s original findings. – ESPN
an OU compliance did the right thing
However, OU compliance decided to reopen the issue – NewsOK
OU Compliance is the (kinda) good guy here. Probably because they don’t want OU to violate their probation. It is worrisome that the conference didn’t care to look into it, but we have no idea whether it would have been different if it were Texas or a bottom dweller like Iowa State or Baylor rather than OU.
Your version a little different
I don’t think that you have a clear understanding of the situation. There are no possible ramifications for Oklahoma in this other than the possibility of losing Balogun. The `08 season is in no way in question.
John Hoover’s report in Tulsa World says that several reports indicate Balogun played two years, not one, which technically made him ineligible last year. These are his words, not mine.
The Big 12 didn’t turn a “blind eye.” They interviewed the president of the team and he said that Balogun only played one season and was not on the team in question. That was satisfactory to the conference and they moved on.
John Hoover also stated that when the FSU compliance officer reported Balogun to the Big 12, the Big 12 questioned OU, who assured the Big 12 that Balogun was eligible. Hoover went on to say it was only after the FSU officer called OU directly that OU investigated more. The Big 12 didn’t question any third parties directly, they relied on OU’s assurance.
I don’t have any inside knowledge, I’m just saying this is the story as being reported by the Oklahoma press.
This is probably not a big deal
Although him challenging it may not be a great idea.
by TheElusiveShadow on Aug 21, 2009 1:40 AM CDT reply actions
Probably not a big deal...
I think you’re right and “it”, in of itself, is not a big deal, however it does add one more piece of kindling to the flame. We keep reading or hearing about this here, and that there, with regards to ou rules violations. It’s nearly on a semi-annual scale that something new pops up. They’re building quite a rap sheet.
What are the consequences of violating probation anyway? They would have to fly commercial rather than charter? How much would The Big 12 have to lo$e with tough $anctions coming down on ou? A perrenial BCS contender, RRR hype, and ESPN poster boys all flushed to the swamp like Gator fodder?
Has the NCAA Rules Committee truly become a neutered UN of college football? It seems they send underpaid and outarmed envoys to merely report a politically correct spin on what the the situation is already known to be. Maybe they think their presence alone is a sufficient deterrence. Do their findings just put a nebulous punctuation mark on an issue in attempt to satisfy public opinion closure? Like “here’s our findings” so “there you go”?
These things are obvioulsy out of our control, but the flames of implosion burn a little brighter in norman year after year.
Agreed. THIS is not a big deal
But anything that gets the NCAA, and possibly reporters, looking into OU’s recruiting process has to be a concern to OU coaches and recruiters.
I don't understand
I hate the NCAA and their archaic rulings. Here is a kid trying to better his life and they are stripping it away because he played in a league not where he was paid but he was actually losing money.
There was a firefight!!!!
I guess a guy that is 25 is probably not a kid anymore though
I dislike the NCAA too. I think they are totally arbitrary in what they decide to enforce and punish. I also just can’t accept their lack of ability to address the Reggie Bush violations timely.
I have a lot bigger issue with the lack of serious consequences for the Big Red Auto and other such OUSucks scandals than I do with the Balogun case. I’d rather the NCAA spend more time cleaning up those other messes and the USC circus than spend so much time on Balogun or, say, that Clemson DB who was receiving donations to help care for his little brother a year or two ago.
by burntorangehorn on Aug 24, 2009 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions
OU self-reported the possible violation only AFTER Florida State upped the ante
Florida State informed the Big XII that it should be investigated and they decided to rely on the original NCAA certification and basically ignored Florida State’s info. (Big XII did nothing—they should have reviewed Florida State’s information in my opinion. Had it been information on a Texas player—you can bet the Big XII would have immediately opened a file).
Florida State did not like the Big XII brush off, so they telephoned OU’s compliance office and basically put them on notice that they had more information which proved that Balogun was not eligible. Putting OU on notice made OU have to decide if it was worth the risk to blow it off and be wrong, or self-report and stay clean.
Per Tim Griffin at ESPN the information FSU had was as follows:: “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.”
OU decided that they better be safe and self-reported this to the NCAA for further review. NCAA acted promptly and de-certified Balogun’s eligibility.
I agree that this rule seems very petty and not in the best interest of a sincere athlete working his way up to be a Div. 1 player and get an education. The rule also seems kind of stupid applied to this football league that wasn’t really “professional” or even “semi-pro” from the sound of it.
On OU’s website they claim they discovered more information and self-reported. I guess on Monday there will be a court hearing. It sounds like these semi-pro teams were pretty small fish in the grand scheme of things. Now that Wort is out with a torn ACL this Balogun eligibility issue is even more crucial for OU.
FSU seems to be one of the few teams to get creamed by the NCAA so maybe they feel like challenging the NCAA to crack down on other teams.
The NCAA has become a laughing stock. The claims that they are outmanned may be true, but with the money generated by college football there is really no excuse for the NCAA to be so emasculated. The latest nonsense with street agents and handlers has really turned the NCAA into a joke. It is in their best interest to regain control and fast.
the money generated
by college football largely goes back to member institutions, right? I’m not going to look it up, but basically the NCAA doesn’t get to keep all the money generated, otherwise, they’d be bloody filthy rich and things would be a lot different.
The NCAA has become a laughing stock because they’re fighting a battle they can’t possibly win. That’s a whole separate issue than this.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
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cornnation@gmail.com
by Jon Johnston on Aug 21, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
NCAA's current budget shows 95% going back to members-but Revenue is $661,000,000.00
Lack of money is clearly no excuse to justify their inability to enforce their own rules. If they need more money why can’t they adjust their budget by reducing the amount that goes back to members and increasing the amount for compliance enforcement?
I don’t understand why you say they are fighting a battle they can’t possibly win? It is a battle they shouldn’t be allowed to lose.
Why does the Big XII hate Texas?
I don’t get this:
Had it been information on a Texas player—you can bet the Big XII would have immediately opened a file
It this another media bias against us thing?
Not media
…the world.
Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhh!
by BoddickerIsClutch on Aug 21, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Why is Texas the principal rival of most Big XII teams?
I hate answering a question with a question, but seriously, think about it.
Do I need to think about it with the tinfoil hat on or off?
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Aug 22, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
That is just not true
Texas is not the principle rival for any of the north teams nor is it the principle rival for OkSt.
I think what probably is the most frustrating
is that no matter who we play, whether it’s Iowa State or Kansas State or Oklahoma, you see the horns down from their players and fans. Makes the hatred seem a little one sided.
There's a Big XII North?
I forgot about the north. “Principle” rival probably isn’t the right adjective for them, but make no mistake, there isn’t much love for Texas in the Big XII north either.
CU fans pretty much hate Texas and Nebraska fans certainly don’t have any love lost either.
Learned hand, definitely tinfoil hat on unless there is lightning in the area. ;-)
from everything i’ve seen nebraska has a pretty respectful fanbase…
by Displaced Longhorn on Aug 22, 2009 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Sure, they are a respectul bunch of fans
But they certainly let you know that they want to beat Texas, which is fine. I think we have a pretty good rivalry with them.
I actually wish they’d up their game and knock off a few of our Big XII south competitors.
Side note—Nebraska is probably going get top 2011 RB Aaron Green next year. His brother is there and he already is pretty high on them.
NCAA Rule
I don’t really understand the problem here. Junior college players lose a year of D1 eligibility for every year they play in junior college. I guess I do not see the huge difference that makes that logical and necessary and what happened with the OU and FSU players terrible.
OU in now win dilemma if Balogun wins case Monday
OU could have to choose sides: Balogun or the NCAA
8/20/2009 11:42:50 AM
By Mike Strain-Tulsa World News
OU linebacker Mike Balogun is fighting the NCAA for his eligibility, and it’s possible OU could find itself in a tough spot – choosing to side with a judge’s ruling or side with the NCAA. On Monday, Balogun has a court date with the NCAA. The court could block a ruling that has denied Balogun from participating with the OU football team. If that happens, Balogun would be allowed – legally – to play for OU this season.
But that’s where it gets most complicated, and tense, for the school. If the court rules in favor of Balogun, OU would find itself choosing: Follow the court ruling that says Balogun can play, or side with the NCAA, which says Balogun can’t play.
If OU decided to let Balogun play, the school could be at risk of NCAA sanctions. In World reporter John Hoover’s story today, he addresses that issue. NCAA Bylaw 19.7 allows the NCAA to penalize a school after court proceedings conclude.
In short, if the NCAA ultimately ruled that Balogun was ineligible in 2009, but he played football for the Sooners, the school could be sanctioned. It’s not clear if the NCAA would proceed with sanctions, but it’s possible.
To put Balogun on the field would be a risk for OU, which has worked in concert with the NCAA on the player’s eligibility for months.
Would OU – a school that’s already on NCAA probation – want to risk the health of a football program that helps fund the entire athletic department for one player’s eligibility? If Balogun wins his case Monday, OU will face that decision. If that decision is to bench Balogun, he might sue the university in addition to the NCAA.
It’s possible all will be settled before it gets that complicated, but I think Balogun’s attorney said it best in Hoover’s story today: "… I think it really puts OU in a very tenuous position about what they do."
FSU now flip flopping
FSU is now claiming that they didn’t contact the Big XII or NCAA, but as pointed out in this story, Balogun’s lawsuit and documentation shows they did. What gives?
Balogun has more support via 3 new Affidavits that he did not play past 21. Can’t the NCAA contact some of the folks who were on the team that did play? Don’t they have team pictures, etc. The truth has got to come to light at some point………but right now I have to admit that I have no idea which side is truth talking and which side is not. The NCAA probably hasn’t had time to figure it out either. Should be interesting to see what evidence they scrape together.
Latest developments: NCAA trying to figure out did he or didn't he play in 2005 championship
Both sides are stepping back so the NCAA can due some investigating.
If you want to see the website from 2005 with Balogun listed as a team member of the Maryland Marauders where he allegedly posted 7 tackles and a fumble recovery here it is. http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20090824_92_0_NORMAN49297
The whole thing is still currently a mystery—-but I’m sure some players will start stepping up with information and some proof as to who was actually on the team.
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