NCAA makes case against Owen Heinecke returning to OU football in eligibility lawsuit
Read the NCAA's response to Oklahoma football linebacker Owen Heinecke's motion for a preliminary injunction for another year of eligibility.
NORMAN — The NCAA filed a response Monday to Oklahoma football linebacker Owen Heinecke ’s motion for a preliminary injunction , according to documents obtained by The Oklahoman. Heinecke is seeking another year of eligibility after the NCAA denied his initial petition and appeal. An emergency hearing is set for 8:30 a.
m. Thursday, April 16 in Cleveland County District Court. District Judge Thad Balkman, an OU Law graduate, has been assigned to the case.
The NCAA argues Heinecke chose to attend Ohio State on a lacrosse scholarship despite numerous DI scholarship opportunities to play football for institutions outside the Power Four conferences. Heinecke received scholarship offers from Army, Navy, Northeastern State and UCO. “Plaintiff chose to attend Ohio State on a lacrosse scholarship without any guarantee he could try out for the football team,” the NCAA said, “let alone obtain a roster spot, which was a circumstance expressly within his control.
” The NCAA also argued Heinecke was not offered a spot on the Buckeyes’ football roster and following limited participation in lacrosse, he decided he would prefer to play football and transferred to OU. In essence, Heinecke chose to attend Ohio State on a lacrosse scholarship with no guarantee to join the football team. His decision to forego concrete offers to play football to attend Ohio State falls within legislated “(c)ircumstances considered to be within the control of the student athlete” that cannot warrant an extension of eligibility, according to NCAA bylaws.