Report: Oklahoma State boosters, coaches paid players

Associated Press

STILLWATER, Okla.

Boosters and assistant coaches at Oklahoma State handed out tens of thousands of dollars to players for at least a decade as the football program grew into a national power under coaches Les Miles and then Mike Gundy, according to a Sports Illustrated article released Tuesday.

The article, which quoted several former players by name, said some players received $2,000 to $10,000 annually, with a few stars receiving $25,000 or more. Eight players told SI they received cash, while 29 others were named by teammates as taking money. The transgressions cited stretched from 2001 until at least 2011, the magazine said.

Oklahoma State said it has notified the NCAA about the report and launched its own investigation.

SI said its five-part series included interviews with more than 60 former players who played for Oklahoma State from 2001-10. Among the allegations of misconduct and potential NCAA violations are:

An Oklahoma State assistant coach, Joe DeForest, paid cash bonuses to players of up to $500 for performance.

Boosters and assistant coaches funneled money to players and provided sham jobs for which players were paid.

Tutors and school personnel completed school work for players and professors gave passing grades for little or no work.

The program’s drug policy was selectively enforced, allowing some players to go unpunished for repeated positive tests.

Some members of a hostess program used by the football coaching staff had sex with recruits.

NCAA rules bar boosters from providing cash or other benefits based on athletic performance. NCAA spokeswoman Emily Potter declined comment when asked about Oklahoma State, citing the organization’s longstanding policy.

SI reported that eight former Cowboys told the magazine they had received cash payments and 29 others were named by teammates as having also taken money.