Jan. 14, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio-Two Ohio University students were charged today with running a sports betting operation during fall 2007.

Athens City Law Director Patrick Lang said Andrew Shisila, 22, and Brent DeCoster, 22, both of 27 N. Court St., Athens, each face a first-degree misdemeanor count of gambling, a violation of Ohio Revised Code 2915.02(a)1.

Shisila is a pitcher on the Ohio University baseball team. DeCoster played baseball for Ohio only during his freshman year in 2005-06. Both are listed as seniors.

In a press conference this morning, Lang said no evidence suggests the alleged wagering involved Ohio University sports or any other intercollegiate athletic events. Based on the investigation as it stands, he said, "the basis of these two charges involved only professional sports."

"I appreciate the hard work and the cooperation of the Ohio University Police Department in this matter and want to state that the values of this department are not negotiable," Hocutt said. "We will take appropriate action."

Speaking of the 422 student-athletes involved in Ohio Athletics, Hocutt added, "We are going to continue to highlight and celebrate the actions of those young people in this program who do focus on and are committed to doing the right things."

The investigation began when Hocutt and Ohio baseball coach Joe Carbone received an anonymous e-mail tip Nov. 29. They immediately contacted the Ohio University Police Department, which launched a criminal investigation. The investigation found eight individuals, including three Ohio University students in addition to the two charged, allegedly involved in wagering.

Two of those additional three were baseball players suspected of placing bets, and Hocutt has suspended them from the team; sports wagering is a violation of Ohio Athletics and NCAA rules. They have not been charged with criminal wrongdoing. Under federal educational privacy rules, the university cannot release their names.

Hocutt said he immediately notified the NCAA of the allegations and has been in contact over the past month with Rachel Newman-Baker, the NCAA's director of agents, gambling and amateurism activities. In addition to any university sanctions, the three players may face sanctions from the NCAA, including possible loss of some or all of their eligibility to play college sports.

Because this matter is pending in the criminal justice system, the university cannot release all details of the case.

There is no indication at this time of efforts to "shave points" or otherwise improperly influence the outcome of Ohio University games, Hocutt said.

Hocutt was joined at the press conference by Carbone, who said he was shocked and disappointed by the actions of his players, but was committed to putting his efforts into supporting the rest of his team during the upcoming season.

"As with all 18- to 22 year-olds who are in college, this is that time from adolescence to adulthood, and they make mistakes," said Carbone. "Unfortunately these young men are going to pay for their mistakes."

Hocutt and Carbone said the university is strongly opposed to illegal gambling and has taken numerous steps to educate student-athletes about this issue.

"Ohio Athletics takes a strong stance against sports wagering," Hocutt said. "We have taken numerous proactive steps in our efforts to educate our student-athletes, our coaches and our staff regarding the dangers of sports wagering."

"Our department and baseball program have been very proactive about informing our student-athletes about the dangers of gambling, in addition to alcohol, academic misconduct, illegal drugs and steroids," Carbone said.

The university's Student-Athlete Code of Conduct prohibits sports wagering, as does the NCAA Student Athlete Statement, both of which intercollegiate athletes are required to sign at the beginning of each academic year.

"We've got to keep talking to our coaches about this; we've got to keep talking to our student-athletes about this," Hocutt said. "While I do not believe that we have been negligent regarding this issue, I believe that there is always an opportunity for continuous improvement."

Shisila and DeCoster are scheduled to appear in Athens Municipal Court at 9:30 p.m. Thursday.