Glenville High School out of Ohio playoffs after appeals court ruling
The 8th District Court of Appeals upheld the OHSAA sanction, forcing University School to replace Glenville in Friday’s quarterfinal against Salem.
By Takeshi Davidson ·
Glenville High School will not play in the Ohio state football playoffs.
The 8th District Court of Appeals issued a ruling on Thursday that granted a stay of execution order. This decision preserves the initial sanction imposed by the Ohio High School Athletic Association against the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Glenville. The order effectively ends the legal maneuvering that temporarily allowed the team to compete.
The dispute began with students attending Ginn Academy, a non-member magnet school founded by Glenville head coach Ted Ginn, Sr. Under OHSAA rules, those students were required to play for the Cleveland Metro school closest to their residence. When the OHSAA sanctioned the district on Oct. 29, it removed Glenville from the tournament. Last week, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Andrew J. Santoli granted a temporary restraining order. That order allowed Glenville’s game against University School to proceed as scheduled.
Thursday’s ruling reversed that temporary relief. University School will now face Salem in a Division III regional quarterfinal game on Friday night. Salem athletic director Matt Freeman described the week as a whirlwind. He noted that his staff and players had to adapt quickly to the change in opponent. Freeman said the team typically has five or six days to prepare for a postseason game. The compressed schedule meant less time to study film and plan strategies for the new matchup.
Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Dr. Warren Morgan addressed the underlying issues during a news conference last week. He explained that family life within the district is complex. Many students live in multiple locations due to high mobility rates. Morgan stated that the district needs policies that reflect these realities. In a statement released Thursday, the CMSD said it was disappointed by the ruling. The district said it would continue working with the OHSAA to improve eligibility rules for non-enrolled students.
The OHSAA released its own statement confirming the outcome. Executive Director Doug Ute said the association is committed to the integrity and fairness of its tournaments. He noted that while removing students is difficult, all member schools must abide by the rules they voted into place. The OHSAA said it will continue working with the CMSD regarding the participation opportunities for students who are not enrolled in the district’s member schools.
The appeals court decision reinforced the trial court’s stance from Tuesday. The judges wrote that their authority does not extend to determining which team enters the playoffs. They stated it is beyond their scope to order one team to advance over another. University School now advances to play at Salem on Friday night, closing a week marked by legal shifts and scheduling changes.
