Oklahoma State booster T. Boone Pickens says he was disappointed by the Sports Illustrated series on Oklahoma State that began Tuesday.
Pickens wasn't implicated in the first installment of the series posted Tuesday morning that claimed coaches and boosters paid OSU football players thousands of dollars in bonus programs and for work not performed.
Pickens' doesn't address the specific allegations, saying only that the SI series isn't a reflection of what's going on in Stillwater today.
"There’s one word I have for the Sports Illustrated reporting on Oklahoma State University: Disappointing," Pickens says in his statement. "This series is not reflective of Oklahoma State University today. Many of their sensational allegations go back a decade ago."
Here's a copy of Pickens' statement:Here is the text of Pickens' statement:
"There’s one word I have for the Sports Illustrated reporting on Oklahoma State University: Disappointing.
"This series is not reflective of Oklahoma State University today. Many of their sensational allegations go back a decade ago.
"There have been wholesale changes at the school in recent years in leadership and facilities. During that time, I have given more than $500 million to OSU, for athletics and academics. Have I gotten my money’s worth? You bet. We have a football program that has a commitment to principled sportsmanship. They understand the expectations we, as fans and supporters, have for the program. We have an incredible and growing fan base, and a loyal group of alums that believe in the character of our players, coaches and administrators.
"But I do welcome this scrutiny. If people take the time, it’s an opportunity to better understand where Oklahoma State is today, not a decade ago. It’s a different university today. It’s a better university. If there are areas where we need to improve, we’ll do it.
"Which leads me back to my disappointment with Sports Illustrated, and their failure to ask the most important question of all: What’s happening at OSU today?"
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