CASHMAN
07-12-2005, 02:15 PM
Sorry if this is a repost.Gene Stephenson will stay with Wichita State
Richard Smtih
KWCH 12 Eyewitness News
Monday, July 11, 2005
The Wichita State athletic department issued a statement late Monday night saying Gene Stephenson has decided to return as head coach of Wichita State's baseball program, less than 12 hours after he was introduced as the new OU baseball coach.
"We are very appreciative for the opportunity to coach at the University of Oklahoma. However, some scholarship issues have arisen that are unresolvable to our satisfaction."
Sources close to the coaching staff tell Eyewitness Sports that Oklahoma was four full scholarships over the NCAA limit. However, in terms of how the scholarships are actually handed out (with many players getting partial scholarships) the Sooners were eight to 10 actual players over the limit.
"We have worked over the years at Wichita State in order to use our scholarships and to plan for the use of our future scholarships.
As we assessed the Oklahoma baseball scholarship situation, we would be too limited in our ability to take the program in the direction that we think it should go. OU has always been our dream job, and it is most unfortunate for all of us that this could not work. We dearly love the University of Oklahoma, and are very thankful to have been given the opportunity.
"Unfortunately, the scholarship issues have forced us to reconsider, and have made a decision to stay at Wichita State University."
Stephenson's two assistants, Brent Kemnitz and Jim Thomas, will be returning with him to Wichita State. Stay with Eyewitness Sports for the latest on this developing story.
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© 2005, Media General, Inc.
Richard Smtih
KWCH 12 Eyewitness News
Monday, July 11, 2005
The Wichita State athletic department issued a statement late Monday night saying Gene Stephenson has decided to return as head coach of Wichita State's baseball program, less than 12 hours after he was introduced as the new OU baseball coach.
"We are very appreciative for the opportunity to coach at the University of Oklahoma. However, some scholarship issues have arisen that are unresolvable to our satisfaction."
Sources close to the coaching staff tell Eyewitness Sports that Oklahoma was four full scholarships over the NCAA limit. However, in terms of how the scholarships are actually handed out (with many players getting partial scholarships) the Sooners were eight to 10 actual players over the limit.
"We have worked over the years at Wichita State in order to use our scholarships and to plan for the use of our future scholarships.
As we assessed the Oklahoma baseball scholarship situation, we would be too limited in our ability to take the program in the direction that we think it should go. OU has always been our dream job, and it is most unfortunate for all of us that this could not work. We dearly love the University of Oklahoma, and are very thankful to have been given the opportunity.
"Unfortunately, the scholarship issues have forced us to reconsider, and have made a decision to stay at Wichita State University."
Stephenson's two assistants, Brent Kemnitz and Jim Thomas, will be returning with him to Wichita State. Stay with Eyewitness Sports for the latest on this developing story.
Terms & Conditions
© 2005, Media General, Inc.