Oklahoma linebacker Mike Balogun has been granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA and should be allowed to continue practicing with the team, multiple media outlets are reporting.
Due to an investigation into Balogun’s participation in a semi-pro football league before he enrolled at OU, the linebacker was to be barred from practicing with the school beginning today.
In concert with the restraining order, Balogun’s attorney filed a civil suit against the NCAA seeking more than $10,000 in damages.
At the heart of the matter is whether Balogun played in a semi-pro league after his 21st birthday. If he did, he would lose one year’s worth of eligibility for every year he played in the league. As he’s a senior, that would effectively end Balogun’s collegiate career.
The NCAA looked into the issue last year, and cleared Balogun for competition. Following the 2008 season, however, new information came to light and forced the organization to revisit the situation.
Rightfully so, the matter seems to have head coach Bob Stoops a tad bit pissed off.
“I play guys that they allow me to play,” Stoops said. “The people that are involved in all of that will handle it all. They tell me whether a guy is capable of playing or not. That’s what I get involved in.”
Regardless of whether or not the restraining order remains in effect, Balogun will not be allowed to play in any games until the eligibility issue is cleared up.
