It was an eventful day on October 30 as the Glenville State football playoff saga took some interesting turns.
Ultimately, the assigned team 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 proceed on short notice.
Earlier on October 30, Glenville was reinstated to play its Division III, Region 9 playoff game against the Preppers.
A temporary restraining order from Judge Andrew Santoli has been issued, suspending the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Oct. 29 decision to remove Glenville from the playoffs for reasons regarding the eligibility of student-athletes at the school.
OSHAA responds to Glenville football getting 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 Ginn Academy students.
Then, shortly before the scheduled kickoff time, University coach Ben Malbasa confirmed to the News-Herald that he had decided not to show up for the 7 p.m. game in Glenville and would not play the Tarblooders this weekend.
The university released a statement on October 30 on the subject:
“We were disappointed to learn of the initial cancellation of the contest on Thursday, October 29, and then surprised to learn of the temporary restraining order which led the OHSAA to postpone the game until the afternoon of Saturday, October 31.
“We will not participate in the now rescheduled contest, will respect the prudence of the court in deciding the final outcome of the legal dispute, and will prepare to compete with Salem on (Nov. 6) if that is the resolution.”
The OHSAA issued a statement affirming that it stood by its decision made on October 29. She said she would comply with the court order and was working with both schools to reschedule the game this weekend, but that contrasts with the United States’ statement on the matter.
According to the OHSAA, a hearing on the Glenville situation is scheduled for November 2.
The OHSAA also provided clarification in its release regarding its decision that Glenville was removed from the D-III state playoffs.
“To clarify the information presented this afternoon, OHSAA first requested student residence information from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District on September 28. OHSAA received an initial batch of information from CMSD on October 22. On October 29, in a meeting with Glenville, the school did not object to the OHSAA audit findings.”
According to Cleveland.com, the lawsuit is filed for the families of two Glenville players, stating that these players “had a verifiable address within the proper boundaries of Glenville High School or were initially enrolled at Glenville Senior High School, before 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.
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