Jay Rosser
Oklahoma State University Benefactor Pickens on SI Report
Oklahoma State University Benefactor Pickens Statement on SI Report
I'm Boone Pickens, a very loyal OSU Cowboy.
There's one word I have for the Sports Illustrated reporting on Oklahoma State University
This series is not reflective of Oklahoma State University today. Many of the sensational allegations go back a decade ago. In the 1980s, I was asked to contribute to a slush fund to support questionable activities at the school. I refused. I'm not interested in cheating to win.
There have been wholesale changes at the school in recent years in leadership and facilites. 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 whereOklahoma 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, not a decade ago?