Brock Berglund granted release

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LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The University of Kansas granted quarterback Brock Berglund a release from his scholarship, allowing the freshman from Denver to contact other schools about transferring.

Berglund's release came Friday after appearing before the student-athlete appeals board in Lawrence, Kan. After returning to Denver, Berglund was notified by the board's chairman that the panel had granted the 19-year-old a full, unconditional release from the program, his lawyer, Vince Linden, told The Associated Press.

"I'm looking forward to Brock having the opportunity to pursue his dreams of playing college football," Linden said in a phone interview.

Berglund said he sent a written request to school administrators in late December asking for permission to speak to other universities, but the request was denied. Berglund said no reason was given.

He didn't attend a mandatory team meeting with the Jayhawks' new coaching staff on Jan. 15 out of fear that by showing up he would be locked in for another semester.

Coach Charlie Weis said in a statement Friday that Berglund was dismissed after he failed to attend the team meeting. He said Berglund sent an email less than two hours before the meeting to inform the coaches he had decided to transfer.

"Although Brock has been granted his release, I only wish that he had showed the same courtesy that other players showed and came to talk to me. He decided that he did not have to follow the same protocol as the other departing members of the football team," Weis said. "I believe no individual should be more important than the team. Brock did not see it that way."

Said Linden: "Brock wishes coach Weis and the Kansas football program nothing but the best in their future endeavors."

Earlier this week, prosecutors in Castle Rock, Colo., dismissed an assault charge against Berglund after he completed community service, took a conflict management course and paid restitution to the alleged victim. He was charged after allegedly punching a man during a party on April 9. Because of the misdemeanor charge, Berglund didn't practice with the Jayhawks last season.

The highly touted quarterback led Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., to back-to-back state titles. He was recruited by UCLA, Boise State, Vanderbilt and Colorado before joining the Jayhawks.

In a recent interview with The AP, Berglund said among his top choice for transfer would be schools in the Pac-12 or the Western Athletic Conference.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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