Mike B. De-certified?

[SoonerTroll]

Just heard on sports animal, any info???

[OUmillenium]

Yikes...please update

[bstuff1979]

just heard this from a friend who, for reasons I won't really get into (he's not exactly "high up", but he has worked in the ath. dept on a lower level), who has also said this. something about previously being in a semi-pro league.

[goingoneight]

WTF is de-certified?

[Cam]

Unless he got paid, I would think he'd be ok. I know others who play semi-pro in other sports in the summer and then play in the NCAA during the school year in the same sport. If they don't let him, they're being very hypocritical. Imagine that, it is the NCAA there.

[OUbasketball4life]

I thought he didn't get paid for that?

[OK2U]

he lost his construction certification?

[badger]

Sorry, guys. (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20090814_92_0_NRAOlh446478)

If you're too lazy to click the link, he was de-certified academically. Kenny OU said Balogun's eligiblity is under review and his status is pending.

No other word at this point. I'll post more if I see more

[oumartin]

typicall NCAA stuff.

They need to leave schools alone that try to comply and spend a little more time investigating those that blatantly cheat but refuse to cooperate ala USC

[badger]

I think the NCAA realized they made a mistake, so I doubt OU will be retroactively punished for a mistake the NCAA made... but the question is, how did the NCAA realize they made a mistake?

Did some opposing coach tip off the overlords a la Fat Phil Fulmer versus Bammer, or is this OU's strive to be uber compliant in action?

Sure to be more to follow...

[OUDoc]

Mossman also said he didn't anticipate any punitive action from the NCAA other than a possible reprimand for a minor infraction.

The NCAA cleared him. Reprimand yourselves, NCAA.

Morons.

[adoniijahsooner]

I feel bad for Mike. FOr the NCAA to do him like this is unbelievable; playing with young man's lives and taking away dreams and chances they normally wouldnt have.

[adoniijahsooner]

I think the NCAA realized they made a mistake, so I doubt OU will be retroactively punished for a mistake the NCAA made... but the question is, how did the NCAA realize they made a mistake?

Did some opposing coach tip off the overlords a la Fat Phil Fulmer versus Bammer, or is this OU's strive to be uber compliant in action?

Sure to be more to follow...

This is from the outside it seems. Stoops said he doesnt know how they could have done more.

[soonerhubs]

I feel bad for Mike. FOr the NCAA to do him like this is unbelievable; playing with young man's lives and taking away dreams and chances they normally wouldnt have.

Amen. The Boz was right.

[adoniijahsooner]

I think the NCAA realized they made a mistake, so I doubt OU will be retroactively punished for a mistake the NCAA made... but the question is, how did the NCAA realize they made a mistake?

Did some opposing coach tip off the overlords a la Fat Phil Fulmer versus Bammer, or is this OU's strive to be uber compliant in action?Sure to be more to follow...

If it was from an opposing coach, they are wasting their time, because we have a war chest full of elite linebackers. Stoops already said he was getting Wort and Jayden Bird on the field this year.

[MyT Oklahoma]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20090814_92_0_NRAOlh446478

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 8/14/2009 12:27 PM
Last Modified: 8/14/2009 1:39 PM

NORMAN -- Oklahoma senior linebacker Mike Balogun has been academically decertified by the NCAA and his future with the football team is uncertain.

Balogun has been battling for the starting middle linebacker job with Ryan Reynolds, who is returning from a major knee injury. Balogun will be allowed to practice until Wednesday. He might be sidelined after that time while OU waits for the NCAA to issue a ruling on Balogun's status.

Balogun transferred to OU last season from Lackawanna (Pa.) College and played in 10 games. He was certified eligible by the NCAA last season even, though he had played semi-pro football before enrolling in junior college.

"I don’t know how we could have done more than we have in this matter, and we’ve had a good working relationship with the NCAA on Mike’s case all along," OU coach Bob Stoops said in a statement released by the school. "We’re still hopeful that Mike will be eligible for the season, but we’ll have to see what happens over the coming days."

The matter being reviewed is Balogun's participation in the North American Football League, a semi-pro league, and whether he participated in any games after the age of 21. According to the school, "any participation during each 12-month period after his 21st birthday would result in a corresponding loss of a season of collegiate eligibility."

The NCAA is in the process of determining if Balogun played in semi-pro games after his 21st birthday.

According to the university, the Sooners' compliance department discovered the issue of Balogun's eligibility question after the 2008 season. OU then notified the NCAA of the issue.

OU spokesman Kenny Mossman said Balogun's eligibility is under review. Mossman said he didn't think Balogun's case would result in any forfeits of the 10 games in which Balogun played last season. Mossman also said he didn't anticipate any punitive action from the NCAA.

Balogun had 13 tackles last season. The BCS championship game against Florida was one of his two starting assignments. He had a season-high six tackles in the Sooners' 24-14 loss.

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

[rainiersooner]

What a drag for him - the team will be okay either way I think - but think how much hard work he's put in since he's been here...then it gets taken away. Yikes.

[MichiganSooner]

Hopefully, he is cleared to play. Funny, how the NCAA clears him to play and then decides that maybe he is not eligible. And what are they doing to USC about the Reggie Bush debacle. There had better not be any forfeits since they (ncaa) certified him to play last year.

[MichiganSooner]

Will texASS put a double asterick by their record now?

[CK Sooner]

What a drag for him - the team will be okay either way I think - but think how much hard work he's put in since he's been here...then it gets taken away. Yikes.

The team will still take a hit. He was on almost every special teams unit. You can plug a guy in his spot sure, but he won't be as good as Balogun.

[Sooner-N-KS]

Hopefully, he is cleared to play. Funny, how the NCAA clears him to play and then decides that maybe he is not eligible. And what are they doing to USC about the Reggie Bush debacle. There had better not be any forfeits since they (ncaa) certified him to play last year.

No, it's not so funny or hard to understand. It sounds like there's a rule that says for every year a person plays semi-pro (without pay) that person loses a year of eligibility. So if he played even one game after he turned 21 he lost a year of NCAA eligibility. If that's the case then last year was his senior year, and he ran out of eligibility.

[sooner94]

No, it's not so funny or hard to understand. It sounds like there's a rule that says for every year a person plays semi-pro (without pay) that person loses a year of eligibility. So if he played even one game after he turned 21 he lost a year of NCAA eligibility. If that's the case then last year was his senior year, and he ran out of eligibility.

The question is why the NCAA didn't fully understand the situation when they looked into it last year. Seems like a waste of time for everyone to go through the process of clearing him every year. Why not fully understand the facts and then conclude on how many years of elgibility he has.

But then again, the NCAA has not historically based their actions on common sense.

[Jello Biafra]

The team will still take a hit. He was on almost every special teams unit. You can plug a guy in his spot sure, but he won't be as good as Balogun.

they have to start somewhere. they may not be as good as balogun but we managed to recover after we lost russell dennison.

[Sooner-N-KS]

The question is why the NCAA didn't fully understand the situation when they looked into it last year. Seems like a waste of time for everyone to go through the process of clearing him every year. Why not fully understand the facts and then conclude on how many years of elgibility he has.

But then again, the NCAA has not historically based their actions on common sense.

It's being reported that OU found some new information that they didn't have in 2008. My guess is they found out he played for a few weeks after he turned 21 or something like that.

[setem]

they have to start somewhere. they may not be as good as balogun but we managed to recover after we lost russell dennison.

We did? Last I saw were were not doing so hot on any kind of kick coverage!

[Jello Biafra]

We did? Last I saw were were not doing so hot on any kind of kick coverage!

and balogun was included in that statistic so...we got nowehre to look but up right?

[setem]

The guy is 25, how many years did he play at Lakawanna? This will get figured out one way or another. I do not think this is the end of the world at all!

Age 24 OU
Age 23 Lakawanna
Age 22 ?
Age 21 ?
Age 20 ?

Where has he been?

[MichiganSooner]

No, it's not so funny or hard to understand.

I realize it is "not funny". I was just talkin like a fan not as a lawyer.

[Sooner-N-KS]

I realize it is "not funny". I was just talkin like a fan not as a lawyer.

I understood you didn't mean laughing funny. That's why I added "or hard to understand." It would be hard to understand if they declared him eligible with all of the information they have now.

[rainiersooner]

The team will still take a hit. He was on almost every special teams unit. You can plug a guy in his spot sure, but he won't be as good as Balogun.

Sure, the team would certainly be better WITH him than without him. Too bad all around.

[No1Better]

This is complete garbage. The guy went through all of these gymnastics last year and the University bent over backwards to make sure he was eligible. Now, the NCAA swoops in and says, not so fast. Completely unacceptable.

[Breadburner]

I hate this......

[Collier11]

Stoops said the NCAA cleared him last yr so atleast OU is safe

[Howzit]

The DO says something about OU going to the NCAA when more information came to light.

[cvsooner]

This is from soonersports.com (http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081409aaa.html), but the emphasis below is mine:

NCAA Decertifies LB's Eligibility
Linebacker's status in question for 2009 season.

NORMAN, Okla. -- As a result of information provided by the University of Oklahoma, the NCAA has decertified the eligibility of OU linebacker Mike Balogun pending further review.

The senior is eligible to continue in practice through Wed., Aug. 19, but may be sidelined after that time.

The matter that is being reviewed is Balogun's participation in the North American Football League, a semi-professional league, and whether he participated in any games after the age of 21. Any participation during each 12-month period after his 21st birthday would result in a corresponding loss of a season of collegiate eligibility.

The NCAA is responsible for the certification of amateur status for all student-athletes. As part of that process, the NCAA was aware of Balogun's participation in the league prior to the 2008 season. The NCAA interviewed Balogun, reviewed information, then certified him on May 28, 2008.

OU's compliance office subsequently confirmed the NCAA's information and certification.

More information came to light after the 2008 season and OU again reviewed the matter and shared its information with the NCAA.

"I don't know how we could have done more than we have in this matter, and we've had a good working relationship with the NCAA on Mike's case all along," said OU Head Coach Bob Stoops. "We're still hopeful that Mike will be eligible for this season, but we'll have to see what happens over the coming days."

Me here...sounds like there may be some blame to go all way 'round...that perhaps Mike was in error (unintentionally or otherwise) about what and when he played. Sounds to me like coaching staff and compliance staff had no choice but to report, in light of further information.

So in the meantime, as they review, he can continue to practice. I don't like the situation anymore than anybody else, and I'm no fan of the NCAA, but there is a possibility here that somebody made a mistake, or was not completely truthful. Unfortunately.

[Collier11]

As far as I know, the ncaa is solely responsible for clearing athletes and certifying them

[gaylordfan1]

Yeah, OU turned him in... Baffling now, but this could prevent getting all of our wins taken away if we didn't take care of this now. Just protecting our future.

[SoonerInFortSmith]

Counting this "semi-pro" league against a player's eligibility is BS anyway. There is nothing remotely professional about those leagues. It's basically a rec league for grown men.

[sooner94]

Ah hah. Gotta love "new information."

I really hope our previous "lack of institutional control" doesn't bite us on this one.

I assume our compliance guys did the proper due diligence last year on Balogun, but after the Big Red Sports incident, I wonder how on the ball those guys are.

[gaylordfan1]

What new info/paper work could show its little head now? I mean did they find a the little black box?

[SoonerInFortSmith]

We better not let Sam play in any charity golf tourneys just in case.

[Curly Bill]

We better not let Sam play in any charity golf tourneys just in case.

Plus he could end up another Tony Freakin Romo. :mad:

[Lott's Bandana]

This is absurd.

Let the kid play football.

Semi-pro also means Semi-Amateur.

[SoonerInFortSmith]

This is absurd.

Let the kid play football.

Semi-pro also means Semi-Amateur.

It's really all amatuer. The article even said the players PAID (not got paid) up to 2 grand to participate.

[SoonerInFortSmith]

Plus he could end up another Tony Freakin Romo. :mad:

Jessica Simpson had better keep her fine arse away!

[Collier11]

This is absurd.

Let the kid play football.

Semi-pro also means Semi-Amateur.

So is Obama semi white or semi black, im confused ;)

[CK Sooner]

It's a sad deal for Mike. I feel really bad for him.

[Collier11]

I think he will be alright, we will see though

[OU_Sooners75]

The team will still take a hit. He was on almost every special teams unit. You can plug a guy in his spot sure, but he won't be as good as Balogun.


How will the team take any hits thanks to the NCAA certifying him in the first place.


I think the NCAA has better things to do than this.

[gunsalus]

So is Obama semi white or semi black, im confused ;)

Not cool. And no, this isn't an I'm beyond racism so we can josh around amongst us sophisticated folks comment. Besides it is wildly out of sequence.

[colinreturn]

for you tl:dr's out there.

the ncaa = joke.

[Crucifax Autumn]

So...If an amateur porn star gets a big-time gig, does that mean she can't make amateur porn anymore?

[beer4me]

Counting this "semi-pro" league against a player's eligibility is BS anyway. There is nothing remotely professional about those leagues. It's basically a rec league for grown men.

This^^

[IronHorseSooner]

Florida can have groups of players arrested, and nothing happens (but praise).
SUC pays their players (even Samuel L. Jackson jokes about it), and nothing happens.
UTerus has players drive through apartments and get high as a kite, and nothing happens.
Yet teams like OU, 'Bama, and OSU have this carp happen to them, and it is blasted everywhere.

The only thing I can fathom is that the media and the NCAA NEEDS market bases like Southern California, Florida, and Texas to survive. Places like Oklahoma, Alabama, and Nebraska don't.

[Breadburner]

I have a feeling this is not going to work out in our favor.......

[BoulderSooner79]

Stoop's statement seemed pretty resigned to Mike being gone.

[CK Sooner]

Look's like Bosworth may need to hand down his t-shirt.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/tannerholmes/6334_1189745260386_1130978213_59078.jpg

[CK Sooner]

FWIW, he is most likely going to be cleared to play this year, but he was going to try to get another year and now that might be a no no.

[footballfanatic]

OU players getting paid? I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

[Collier11]

oh thats original idjit, since this has nothing to do with OU...nice try though

[OUAlumni1990]

OU players getting paid? I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

it was what he did AWAY from OU you moron

And don't think Texas doesn't get away with a ton of stuff. Any school that can give passing grades to a retard like Vince Young has got to be doing something fishy...

[BillyBall]

it was what he did AWAY from OU you moron

And don't think Texas doesn't get away with a ton of stuff. Any school that can give passing grades to a retard like Vince Young has got to be doing something fishy...

Truthfully, I'm not sure any major BCS program could survive a really thorough investigation from the NCAA without at least minor infractions. The coaches can't control everything that goes on within a program, no matter how hard they try. Boosters/Alumni not only control the purse strings for the coach but, unfortunately, they have far too much influence on recruits and current players as well.

[CK Sooner]

oh thats original idjit, since this has nothing to do with OU...nice try though

:confused:

[Collier11]

has nothing to do with OU giving him money, pay tention dumb arse

[OUAlumni1990]

Truthfully, I'm not sure any major BCS program could survive a really thorough investigation from the NCAA without at least minor infractions. The coaches can't control everything that goes on within a program, no matter how hard they try. Boosters/Alumni not only control the purse strings for the coach but, unfortunately, they have far too much influence on recruits and current players as well.

That's true. I've heard stories that even Div II players get taken care of pretty well. It goes on everywhere..

[Curly Bill]

Yup, I dare say they all cheat.

[BoomerJ]

Not cool. And no, this isn't an I'm beyond racism so we can josh around amongst us sophisticated folks comment. Besides it is wildly out of sequence.

Black or White, the dude's lips are purple.....How's that for wildly out of sequence?

[Cam]

So if Balogun is deemed ineligible, does he have a law suit against the NCAA? If he would have known before hand that he wouldn't play, he would have been in the NFL draft. Can he sue to get lost wages?

[SoonerInFortSmith]

OU players getting paid? I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

It has nothing to do with getting paid, idiot. If you'd read the frickin article you'd see that the players in that league PAID up to $2000 each to play in said league. That is if you have at least a 3rd grade level of reading comprehension.

[CK Sooner]

So if Balogun is deemed ineligible, does he have a law suit against the NCAA? If he would have known before hand that he wouldn't play, he would have been in the NFL draft. Can he sue to get lost wages?

Good question.

[SoonerInFortSmith]

^^^^NCAA=untouchable

[cjames317]

So if Balogun is deemed ineligible, does he have a law suit against the NCAA? If he would have known before hand that he wouldn't play, he would have been in the NFL draft. Can he sue to get lost wages?

Anyone? Bueller?

[oudivesherpa]

So if Balogun is deemed ineligible, does he have a law suit against the NCAA? If he would have known before hand that he wouldn't play, he would have been in the NFL draft. Can he sue to get lost wages?

The NCAA defense would be: 1) that we can not predict if he would have made an NFL team, 2) the NCAA is a voluntary organization that is above the law.

[jiminy]

Looks like we're gonna find out

link (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=250&articleid=20090818_418_0_NORMAN173997)

[OKC-SLC]

what a frustrating heap of shizt.

the ncaa really sucks at stuff.

[CK Sooner]

An official with the league said he was contacted by the NCAA about Balogun 6-8 months ago. The official said it's possible the only way to confirm if Balogun played after turning 21 would be to track down game film from a team that no longer exists.

Good luck with that. Sounds like a lengthy process...

[adoniijahsooner]

Good luck with that. Sounds like a lengthy process...

Maybe the NCAA will realize this and give up. I'm glad Balogun sued them, because it takes away the look of wrongdoing.

[beer4me]

Kerry Murdock (sp?) is stating right now that he feels even with the suit that his OU career is done.

FWIW

[gaylordfan1]

He filed a civil suit against the NCAA.... Well, I guess we find out today. Right?