Judge Sets Monday Hearing After Glenville Football Team Missed Second Playoff Chance
University School declined to play on Saturday, leaving the outcome of the OHSAA playoff spot for Judge Andrew Santoli to decide.
By Thomas Obasi ·
Ohio high school football playoffs often hinge on eligibility rules, but the dispute between Glenville High School and University School has now moved into the courtroom. A Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas judge will hold a hearing on Monday to determine if the two teams must play to advance in the Ohio High School Athletic Association tournament.
The conflict began when officials canceled a scheduled Friday night game on October 30. The OHSAA stated that an investigation found Ginn Academy students had been incorrectly assigned to Glenville for participation opportunities. Ginn is a non-member magnet school without its own sports teams, but its students are permitted to play for the nearest Cleveland Metropolitan School District school.
Family members of two Glenville players filed for a temporary restraining order to keep the game on the books. Judge Andrew Santoli granted that request on Friday, October 30, and the OHSAA rescheduled the contest for Saturday, October 31 at noon.
Glenville players arrived at the field for the rescheduled game, but University School did not show up. Jon Benedict, the communications officer for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, confirmed that the visitors were absent when the home team took the field.
University School issued a statement on Saturday explaining their decision to sit out the match. The school said it prepared for the original date but was surprised by the rescheduling after the court order. The statement noted that the school will not compete in the new slot but will respect the court's final ruling. It also indicated the team is ready to play Salem on Friday night if that becomes the resolution.
This is the second time in eight years that Glenville has been removed from the football playoffs for the same violation. In 2018, the team was taken out of the tournament, fined $5,000, and placed on probation until 2021.
The Monday hearing will address whether the game must happen as originally intended or if the legal dispute resolves the bracket without a contest.
