It was a hectic day Oct. 30 as the Glenville state football playoffs saga took some interesting turns.
In the end, the team affected opposite the Tarblooders — University School — said thanks but no thanks to a last-minute decision by a Northeast Ohio judge that allowed the state playoff game between the teams to be ruled a go on short notice.
Earlier Oct. 30, Glenville was reinstated to play in its Division III, Region 9 playoff game against the Preppers.
A temporary restraining order from Judge Andrew Santoli was issued, thus putting on hold an Oct. 29 decision by the Ohio High School Athletic association to remove Glenville from postseason play for reasons regarding student-athlete eligibility at the school.
OSHAA responds to Glenville football obtaining last-minute playoff reprieve
The news was first reported by WJW, citing a motion filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas court by Attorneys Michael Nelson Sr., James Hardiman and Stanley Jackson on behalf of students at Ginn Academy.
Then, shortly before the scheduled kickoff time, University coach Ben Malbasa confirmed to The News-Herald it decided to not show for the 7 p.m. game at Glenville, and it won’t play the Tarblooders this weekend.
University released a statement Oct. 30 addressing the matter:
“We were disappointed to learn of the initial cancellation of the contest on Thursday, Oct. 29, and then surprised to learn of the temporary restraining order leading the OHSAA to reschedule the game for the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 31.
“We will not compete in the now rescheduled contest, respect the court’s prudence in deciding the ultimate outcome of the legal dispute, and will prepare to compete with Salem on (Nov. 6) if that is the resolution.”
The OHSAA released a statement stating it stands by its ruling issued Oct. 29. It said it would comply with the court order and was working with the two schools to reschedule the game sometime this weekend, but that is in contrast with US’ statement on the matter.
According to the OHSAA, a hearing to address the Glenville situation is scheduled for Nov. 2.
The OHSAA also provided clarification in its release pertaining to its ruling that Glenville was removed from the D-III state playoffs.
“To clarify information presented this afternoon, the OHSAA first requested student residential information from Cleveland Metropolitan School District on Sept. 28. The OHSAA received an initial batch of information from CMSD on Oct. 22. On Oct. 29 in a meeting with Glenville, the school did not object to the findings of the OHSAA audit.”
Per Cleveland.com, the suit is filed for families of two Glenville players stating those players “had a verifiable address within the appropriate boundaries of Glenville High School or initially enrolled at Glenville Senior High School, prior to transferring to Ginn Academy.”
Glenville is 8-2 and the No. 5 seed in Division III, Region 9. University is 6-4 and the No. 12 seed.
Sports Editor Mark Podolski contributed to this story.