Former Member Of 'The Orange Pride' Talks About OSU Investigation

Oklahoma State University is feeling the heat from Sports Illustrated. The magazine makes some serious allegations in its investigation titled "The Dirty Game."

Monday, September 9th 2013, 10:04 pm

By: News 9


Oklahoma State University is feeling the heat from Sports Illustrated. The magazine makes some serious allegations in its investigation titled "The Dirty Game."

These allegations happened between 2001 and 2007. 

Sports Illustrated says some players received more than $10,000 in annual under-the-table payouts; tutors and OSU personnel completed course work for top players; OSU tolerated recreational drug use among players; and players who were deemed no longer useful were cast aside.

9/9/2013 Related Story: Sports Illustrated Releases Details On OSU Investigation Series

Sports Illustrated also says some members of the Orange Pride had sex with recruits. A former Pride member interviewed for the piece is speaking out.

News 9's Evan Anderson talked to a former Orange Pride hostess who says she was questioned for more than two hours.

"I really think it's unfounded. I think that somebody has a vendetta against Oklahoma State," said former Orange Pride hostess, Julie Longan.

Longan, an Orange Pride hostess from 2005 to 2007, says she was contacted by Sports Illustrated to, "gain information about hostess programs."

"She wanted to know what we did for coaches, and what they expected from us outside of the football office," Longan said.

Longan says the girls interacted directly with OSU Coach Mike Gundy, and she says the more than 50 girls in the program were told by Gundy himself on multiple occasions about improper behavior, and its consequences.

9/9/2013 Related Story: OSU Responds To Sports Illustrated Investigation Into Football Program

"From the very get-go, he wanted us to know that he expected professional behavior at all times, even when we weren't actually in uniform or in the football office," Longan said.

Sports Illustrated released details Monday on the upcoming five-part investigation detailing improprieties within the university's football program. The investigative report will take an in-depth look at OSU's rapid transformation into a national football powerhouse.

"I know that we were held to the highest moral standard," said Longan. "We were expected to represent our university well."

OSU's Athletic director Mike Holder says the goal now is to separate fact from fiction. The Sports Illustrated investigation will also include on the record and independent interviews from more than 60 former OSU student athletes.

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