Thursday, April 24, 2008
Ford suspends Harris indefinitely from team
Men’s basketball coach Travis Ford suspended guard Terrel Harris indefinitely Wednesday for violating team rules. No specific violation was given.
Oklahoma State guard Terrel Harris has been suspended indefinitely from the Cowboy basketball team, according to an OSU athletic department press release Wednesday.
The release was one sentence and stated newly appointed coach Travis Ford suspended Harris for “violation of team rules” but did not go into any further detail.
Harris is one of two seniors on the roster for next year’s OSU team along with guard Byron Eaton. He averaged 10.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Cowboys last season.
The Cowboys lost in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament for the third year in a row after going 17-16 overall and 7-9 in the Big 12. Sean Sutton resigned after two years as coach April 1.
In May, Harris was arrested for possession of a false identification and obstructing an officer. Harris received in-house punishment.
Former teammate Marcus Dove was charged with driving under the influence two months later and suspended indefinitely.
Dove was reinstated to the team before the start of his senior season.
Rumors have indicated Harris had failed a drug test required of OSU student athletes in the past.
A number of OSU’s athletic teams were given a random drug test Tuesday, yet no connection has been confirmed between Harris’ suspension and the testing.
OSU’s athletic drug policy states that failing a drug test once results in a counseling session.
A second offense results in notification of the athlete’s parents, more counseling and prevention classes.
A third offense results in the athlete’s suspension. The coach decides how long the suspension will last.
However, final discretion is left to the athletic director.
Theoretically, after a second offense, a coach could push for the player to be dismissed, and the athletic director would decide whether to agree with the coach or enforce a different solution.
More rumors have indicated Harris told teammates and other students that he had been dismissed from the Cowboy basketball team.
Coaches have not indicated whether Harris will be reinstated to the team.
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