11/05/24
August 12, 2010
Player Gives Up Scholarship to Help Team: Nick Sidorakis, the captain of Oklahoma State's basketball team, has voluntarily given up his full-ride scholarship so that another player won't have to be cut. The senior will play as a walk-on this season at his own expense. The team recruited four new players and all qualified, putting them one over the scholarship limit. "[H]e's showing his leadership," said Coach Travis Ford. "And this is just another way. And unexpected. He's the ultimate team guy."
posted by rcade to basketball at 06:14 PM - 10 comments
And if T. Boone Pickens becomes aware of the situation, perhaps he'd like to step in and pick up the cost of the young man's final year at OSU. It would be a nice move befitting his record of prior generosity to the school.
posted by beaverboard at 07:30 PM on August 12, 2010
It would be an NCAA violation for his school costs to be paid by Pickens or anyone else outside his family.
posted by rcade at 08:13 PM on August 12, 2010
Here's hoping the kid's parents are rich and can afford this. If the kid's going into 40K of debt because of this then it's just plain wrong.
posted by DudeDykstra at 10:49 PM on August 12, 2010
FYI, OSU is probably closer to $15K per year...at least that's what they're telling my son who just applied there. But, still it's a very respectable move on the player's part.
posted by dviking at 11:32 PM on August 12, 2010
Yeah, given that his dad is the GM of Southern Hills (which hosts PGA events, including the U.S. Open and PGA Championship), I'm pretty sure he can afford in-state tuition at OSU.
Nice gesture none-the-less.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:39 AM on August 13, 2010
As soon as I say this headline, I thought what a great sacrifice by his parents. He's lucky that his parents are in a financial position that they are willing and can afford to make such a move. I think his parents deserve the kudos rather than the son.
posted by bperk at 12:10 PM on August 13, 2010
This situation would not have happened if the NCAA addressed the oversigning problem and prevented schools from promising more scholarships than they can deliver.
Sidorakis never should have been put in this position by OSU. Considering how many different ways the NCAA presses its boot on the neck of member schools, I find it hard to believe there's not a rule about this.
posted by rcade at 12:45 PM on August 13, 2010
Bperk, given how most children of money and stature act, I still have to give the kid equal credit. But I love where your head's at...kudos to Mom and Dad.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 12:46 PM on August 13, 2010
Good for the player on his attitude, but I think he's wrong. His generosity only covers up the incompetence/ruthlessness of the coach for oversigning.
posted by Bonkers at 04:00 AM on August 14, 2010
Nice. Over-signing now puts the financial burden on the student.