STILLWATER, Okla., Sept. 10 (UPI) — Oklahoma State’s athletic director apologized Tuesday after a magazine said the school’s football players got money, sex and drugs from boosters.
Without directly addressing the allegations made by Sports Illustrated, Mike Holder said at a press conference, “I don’t want to believe that it’s true.”
The magazine’s allegations arise from a 10-month investigation in which SI reporters interviewed 63 Cowboys athletes who played between 1999 and 2011, as well as former and current staff members.
Part one of the series, released Tuesday, charged players were often the beneficiaries of largess from boosters and post-game handouts. Eight former OSU players said they got cash payments, the magazine reported, and named 29 other players who also took money.