Door is open for Pitrucha to return as SOSU QB

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Posted: 6:39 PM Jul 10, 2008
Last Updated: 8:15 PM Jul 10, 2008

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DURANT, Okla. -- Less than 3 months after being suspended from the SOSU football team, quarterback Justin Pitrucha has a chance to return to the Savage Storm.

On April 22nd, Pitrucha was arrested along with 5 other people in a drug bust by the Durant Police Department. He was charged with posession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 2000 feet of a school, and promptly suspended from the football team.

In an interview with KXII Sports today, SOSU Head Football Coach, Ray Richards said that if Pitrucha can clear up his pending legal charges, and satisfy several other requirements set forth by the team, then he will be given a chance to reclaim a spot on the team.

"He's got to do certain things to earn his way back on this team. We do have a path for him, but he's got to do his part. If he does his part, we'll continue to monitor him really for the rest of his career. If he does those things, I think it'll be a good plan for everyone involved. We're in the business of helping kids, so I'm going to treat Justin as if he's my own son. I'm going to do the right thing for him and this football team. We want guys who do the right thing, so if he does everything should work out," Richards said.

Pitrucha is due back in court on July 17th, according to the Oklahoma District Courts website. The Savage Storm will have their first practice of the season on August 7th.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Conserned on Aug 7, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone...Judge not lest thee be judged...forgive and forget...turn the other cheek...No one is saying that Justin is right and the school just always looks the other way, but the school is just trying to help and he has sacrariced and worked hard to be able to come back. No one publishes the good things he has done because that just would not be interesting enough to any of you. Yeah no one has commented on the stories where he is coming back and is not being charged with intent, hmmmmm interesting. I guess these hard core CRIMINALS need to be punished w/ every letter of the law. Oh well, its not like any of this changes anyones opinion, you have all alreay convicted him in your own minds. Innocent until proven guilty, guess that does not exist anymore!

Posted by: john Location: durant on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:53 PM
First of all, for all you people just straight up hating on the QB, give it a break. Im so tired of reading about how you and your family can barely survive by sending their kid to school and oh how hard it is for your kids to work a job and go to school as well. For one, I am a former grad/player from SOSU and had a job the entire time while playing for SOSU. It can be done and its not that tough! ITS CALLED RESPONSIBILITY!!! I had a great career and loved every bit of it! AS for Justin, yes he has messed up quite a bit, but hopefully this last chance will get him straight again. The decision has been made and he is coming back. SOSU is still a great program and this type of thing happens all the time in college sports. Its not good, but it still happens. AS for you Richards and Baxter haters, you are jokes. They are two of the most respected individuals you will ever meet. They have nothing but good and positive intentions for SOSU. They are good CHRISTIAN MEN,so bak off hippocrite!

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Jul 16, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I think he has a purdy mouth!

Posted by: mom Location: pottsboro on Jul 16, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I'm sorry qualls, but they will never grow up as long as everyone keeps telling them they are kids! When a person reaches 18 years of age, they are considered an adult, whether you like it or not! They may be immature, but they have to face legal consequences like any other adult, and parents, coaches, etc. are not doing these young men any favors by telling them IT"S OK, YOUR STILL JUST A KID". They could get locked up for a long time for doing crimes that they may have gotten away with when they were 16 or 17. Like it or not, 18 is an adult and these young men and their families need to all grow up and realize "YOU CAN'T STAY A KID FOREVER!

Posted by: qualls on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:01 AM
I am sorry mom, but college boys are not grown men, i have not seen one yet, they are still kids trying to grow up

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Whitesboro on Jul 15, 2008 at 08:14 PM
To Ex SOSU player, ya ok your given money to go to school to play football. That is a privilege. You screw up by doing drugs, you should lose all of that! You get what you deserve. If your given a free ride you should walk a straight line. If you dont then you dont deserve for someone else to pay for your education. You are a joke!!!!

Posted by: SOSU Mom Location: Texoma on Jul 15, 2008 at 05:06 PM
I had a former SOSU quarterback run into my vehicle on university property.He admitted to have been drinking at Jalepeno's then driving back to the campus.At the time he hit me he said he was watching the baseball game going on - rather than the street he was driving on.He didn't call campus security-opted to call 9 of his buddies to intimidate my husband & I.I called Durant police who gave me campus security,she showed up and deemed me at fault also,even though I was driving forward.The drinking and intimidation was over looked by campus security-twice.What kind of QB's does SOSU churn out? BTW - my son goes to SOSU. He doesn't party - but is an athlete. He is one of *several* proving you can be something without drugs or alcohol. I don't believe SOS needs Pitrucha. He made too may bad decisons so far and just makes the University look bad.

Posted by: SOSU Alumni Location: Oklahoma on Jul 14, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Mr. Dozier, Puktrucha can get permission from the president to play again, SOSU doesn't need this type of person associated with the team or the school. He is a grown man and made the choice of doing what he did. If he gets back on the team that goes to show you what type of morals and ethics that the SOSU athletic departmet teaches its players and what kind of people they are. Maybe Coach Baxter isn't the upstanding Christian he claims to be!

Posted by: Mad Location: durant on Jul 14, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Maybe the fundraisers and alumni that give money to the football program should keep their money this year.

Posted by: d Location: durant on Jul 14, 2008 at 03:46 PM
If your only purpose for attending SOSU is to play football and you have no use for the education then maybe you need to go somewhere else. I'd rather see our football team go winless every year but graduate all of its players than to see them go undefeated and have the type of SCUM that is coming from there now. These individuals cast a dark shadow on the other athletes from the other sports who ARE going to class, who ARE working a regular job and still PASSING their classes not just the RECREATION classes. Word to the athletes who are just here for game time. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!

Posted by: disgusted alum Location: lawton on Jul 14, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Mr. Dozier, while I appreciate your sense of humor, your reading comprehension skills and your mastery of the English language, I'm a little concerned that you seem to think that true SOSU graduates like myself aren't really upset about this. Coach Richards and Keith Baxter collaborated on this decision I'm sure and, while I respect Mr. Baxter, I think he allowed the wrong decision to be made in this situation. I believe in due process and our justice system but, the problem is our justice system is made up of people and people can be influenced, especially at the local level. If a man allows himself to be in the same apartment with more than a pound of marijuana, that's all the proof I need to exclude him from being associated with my alma mater. Whether he's convicted or not makes no difference to me. The damage has already been done. I'd like to follow your lead and close with a jab at ECU but, I'm not sure I can top that one right now. Well done, Sir.

Posted by: jm Location: ok on Jul 14, 2008 at 02:23 PM
If he does everything they ask I do not see what the big deal is. And for all of you parents that are quick to say my kids dont do drugs you dont know that unless you drug test them every week and I know alot of parents that say that and their kids are doing just as much as the other ones they just have not got caught So i would not be so quick to judge someone else

Posted by: Parent on Jul 14, 2008 at 10:15 AM
My child attends SOSU and is receiving a good education. She also works a full time job while maintaining a full time student status. Her student loan debt is huge. She's never been in trouble, doesn't do drugs, and plans on doing something with her life. Between her full time job and her school requirements she's putting in about a 70 hr. work week to make that happen. Pitrucha on the other hand is spending his time at SOSU doing and dealing drugs and still expects to have his position as the QB on the football team - and his coach is handing it to him on a silver platter. Where are the consequences for his actions? SOSU should be embarrassed and ashamed to allow this to happen. There are hundreds of kids enrolled doing what my daughter is doing, working their way through college and still being a model citizen to be proud of. Look at Pitrucha's mug shot. Does that not say it all? There's no regret, embarassment or humility in his expression, just a smug pis* on you attitude.

Posted by: Top 10 on Jul 14, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Top 10 SOSU football player excuses for special treatment: 1. My family is so poor we can't work our way through college like everyone else. 2. I can't pay back student loans, working time may cut into my football playing time! 3. If I didn't play football I would have no reason to be in college, what are classes for?! 4. My teachers have to pass me or I can't play in the big game next week! 5. I'm just a kid! 6. I didn't mean to have pot within 2000 feet of a school! 7. I didn't plan on selling the pot to anyone!! 8. It's the teachers fault I didn't pass my classes, they knew I was a football player! 9.I'm just a KID! 10. I'm just a KID!

Posted by: d Location: durant on Jul 13, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Maybe we all need to picket in front of the GYM. Maybe then the athletic department could see how the community feels about this topic.

Posted by: sick of big babies! Location: ok on Jul 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM
to ex sosu football player, you make me sick! You have the attitude most athletes have, and that's that everyone owes you something because you're good at a sport. If football is the only reason you attended college, I feel sorry for you. My son is attending college, and we pay for all of his education. We scrimp and save and our other two children do without so he can go to college. If you were as poor as you say you were, you should have gotten plenty of GRANTS. We are on the line money wise, and he gets NO GRANTS! Yet, he will graduate next year without a scholarship in any SPORTS program! He works two jobs and attends 15 hours a semester, and we pay his tuition!! I say he's a better man than the one who throws a football, and gets everything paid for by the college!!Saying you couldn't have gotten through college without football is simply rediculous and a lie!! GROW UP! Oh Yes, THIS MAN IS NOT A KID, DID YOU SEE HIS MUG SHOT?!! He should not be given a second chance!

Posted by: AliceIn Location: Wonderland on Jul 12, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Mork, I love your wit and sense of humor (and I couldn't agree with your more!). For those of you concerned that this guy is being allowed to rejoin the SOSU athletic program, don't sweat too much about it - he'll get in trouble again and be off the team soon enough I'm sure. I mean, why not? Just look at his mug shot, all smitten and smart a**ed attitude. There's no consequences or lessons here for him to learn. A little slap on the wrist doesn't teach an adult anything. Too bad SOSU wants to be in the win column so bad...Coach Richards - what are you thinking?

Posted by: blame game Location: durant on Jul 12, 2008 at 09:04 PM
I wonder what Coach Richards coaching philosophy is? Win at all costs. Not to care about the image of his team or how his team reflects upon the university. The Athletic Director should review this decision and uphold the dismissal of pitrucha. Athletes like him give a bad name to the program and the university as a whole. This University already has euough problems with drugs on campus. Why let an ACCUSED drug dealer be the leader of your team? This guy needs a degree from the Oklahoma Prison System not SOSU

Posted by: weeaboo Location: ardmore on Jul 12, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Pitrcha is my favorite pokemans

Posted by: charges stand on Jul 12, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Why would SOSU want a pot head playing for them?? I guess they want to be know for promoting drugs. Makes them look really good. Alot of people will not EVER look at the SOSU football team or the university the same again. Im glad that this problem has been brought to Durants attention. Im sure there are lots of good, nice, clean kids that would love a spot on the SOSU football team.... but no, SOSU picks a stoner. good for them!

Posted by: Ex SOSU Football Player Location: Sherman on Jul 12, 2008 at 05:30 AM
"Many Of You" - Could not be more wrong in your comments. I myself played football and graduated from SOSU. Without football I would have had no reason to be there. The same could be said for many of my teammates who came from families who did not have the money for college. Without football paying our way through school, there would be no chance to go to college. Those of you who have never been a student-athlete, please dont't try and compare your 40 hour work week plus taking 15 credit hours per semester to being a student athlete. It just isn't the same. Student athletes put in much more time than a non-student athletes. Coach Richards is doing the right thing by giving this kid another chance. The kid made a mistake. If he had been a member of the band, debate team, or just a regular student - this never would have made the news. If this was you or your kid you would want the second chance. Keep in mind this is SOSU not OU. The second chance is for the kid not team.

Posted by: Vernon Dozier Location: Durant on Jul 12, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Well, well, well. Look at all the ECU clowns on here claiming to be SOSU alumni. We can tell you really went to ECU by your lack of reading comprehension skills. "IF Pitrucha can clear up his pending legal charges, and satisfy several other requirements..." "IF he does his part, we'll continue to monitor him..." He's not back on the team yet. He still has to meet those requirements. If he doesn't meet them, he's not coming back. Some of you seem to think the concept of innocent until proven guilty shouldn't apply to him. And as for this nugget of wisdom from the first phony SOSU Alumni, "If Coach Baxter was the coach, you would never here of this guy again." One, Baxter is the Athletic Director now. He's Richards' boss. If you really followed SOSU football, you'd know that. Two, your misuse of the word "here" betrays your Ada Community College education. And one last thought for you ECU grads: YES, WE WANT FRIES WITH THAT.

Posted by: Bin Somewhere Location: Lately on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:46 PM
This guy is a punk...just look at his mug! If SOSU let's him play after getting caught with intent to deliver near a school zone...it's all over for us and you should all vote for Osama Bin Obama. He's gonna fix it all for us...yeah right. Makes me sick to think about it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:11 PM
mork, such a idiot

Posted by: sosu student Location: texas on Jul 11, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I attend SOSU, and I don't play sports. I work two jobs and make good grades. Oh yeah! I don't smoke pot or sell drugs either! I bet Coach Richards wouldn't even recognize me if he saw me on the street, and I've been attending SOSU for 3 years. The football players get special treatment just because they want to win games. Who cares?! 95% of the people attending SOSU go so they can graduate and get a good job, not to play SPORTS! How many SOSU grads ever made the Big Time in SPORTS?! Rodman, he's a real role model! If they keep letting these guys slide by with this behavior all their going to get is a quick trip to the BIG HOUSE!

Posted by: former alumni Location: bryan county on Jul 11, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Bad move by the University!! If he was selling drugs, you have just let a drug dealer back onto your campus. Maybe all of the teams at SOSU should be drug tested?

Posted by: disgusted alum Location: lawton on Jul 11, 2008 at 04:32 PM
You cannot be serious! I can't believe that the "Institute fo Higher Learning" that I chose to attend could be so indifferent about a felony drug charge on someone who, for at least a couple hours on every autumn Saturday, is seen as the face of the university! Why don't we just reinforce the thought that you can get away with anything in this country if you're an athlete or famous? I'm ashamed to be associated with an institution that could be so gutless! I believe in second chances as much as the next guy but, come on! He was, at the very least, in close proximity to a very large amount of a controlled dangerous substance! I don't care if it belonged to him or not! There's no excuse for his actions and no excuse for allowing him to continue to be associated with MY university! Even if the inept DA can't get a conviction, he has no business on that team. You messed buddy, now live with it!

Posted by: mom Location: pottsboro on Jul 11, 2008 at 04:06 PM
to "dawn" and "think about it", by the time you reach College age, you don't need a reason to stay in school and keep your grades up. Sports is a good way to keep students in school during their Junior High and High School years, but simply is not a reason to keep an adult attending College. Is he going to have to be told he can play football to keep him working a full time job when he's 45? When you reach college age, it's time to grow up and stop using football as an excuse to get an education. If he can't graduate without playing football, then he needs to start working at McDonalds right now! He has been caught with drugs and has a history of not keeping his grades up, and he simply doesn't need to be on the team. He's a grown man, and should be able to graduate whether he plays football or not! I do wish the best for this young man, and hope he graduates. But it's not the football coaches job to make sure he does. He's a grown man, and it's time he acts like one!

Posted by: Angela Location: Sherman on Jul 11, 2008 at 02:02 PM
How can someone get caught selling drugs and using drugs and still get the priviledge to play on a football team, but a group of seniors in another town get caught drinking and they don't even let them walk the stage and get their diploma. This doesn't seem right to me. It is a shame at what some schools go through, to win football games.

Posted by: bubba redneck Location: sherman on Jul 11, 2008 at 01:30 PM
man the back up qb. must really stink....

Posted by: Jess on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
SOSU Alumni, have they ever pulled a curtain over your eyes!!!!! I know of SEVERAL former players that were given at least 5 times to come back to the team after numerous drug charges, arrests, etc. Plus, drug testing doesn't seem to do any good whenever the coaches let the players know when they will be administered. They always are able to go and get the right "medicine" so that they can all pass the tests and continue with their after hours rituals. WAKE UP!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Durant on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I will be embarrassed to call myself SOSU alumni if SOSU lets him return. Set a standard this will NOT be tolerated.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Durant on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Shame on you SOSU- clearly there was no remorse in his mug shot. What kind of example are you setting for incoming students?!

Posted by: Jason Location: Texas/Oklahoma on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Lovely... once again lets slap the sports person on the hand and let them continue. This really sets a GREAT example for young children. It's okay to break the law if your in sports because sports is so important it makes the world go around.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Rolling down the field smoking endo looking at the goal posts! Laid back with my mind on my money and my money on my mind.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Sounds like he wants a degree in horticulture. His photo shows him looking like a defiant little smart-a$$ punk. Make him pay for college and don't give him a free education by hiding under the athletic scholarship apron!

Posted by: Think about it Location: OK on Jul 11, 2008 at 08:41 AM
"mom" Just think of it this way, if Coach Richards helps him out and this kid plays football it gives him a reason to stay in school and keep his grades up. If he is not back on the football team what are the chances he stays in school and gets his degree, probably slim to none. Coach Richards is trying to do the right thing and help out a young athlete who has made some bad decisions instead of just writing him off.

Posted by: Bill Location: Sherman tx on Jul 11, 2008 at 08:25 AM
I can't beleive that winning trumps whats right. I know of this kid and he's definitely not there to get an education. This is not an example of good leadership or coaching on the part of Mr. Richards. How can Pitrucha learn from his errors when people keep giving him do-overs because of his athletic abilities. BAD CALL COACH!!!!

Posted by: Dawn on Jul 11, 2008 at 06:41 AM
I disagree with you "mom". You are supposed to help the kids. The coach is doing the right thing. If you read closely you'll see it's not all about football. The kid has to meet several other requirements. He's let down the whole college by doing what he did. He'll have to regain his position by earning it. If you just drop a kid when they do wrong they may just continue to do it. You pick them up and take them under your wing and lead them in the way they should go. GOOD JOB COACH!!!!!

Posted by: In danger of being fromer fan Location: Bryan on Jul 11, 2008 at 06:33 AM
If this kid is on the team this year, I'll withdraw all my support from the university.

Posted by: Joe Law Location: Durant on Jul 11, 2008 at 06:05 AM
Coach is fooling himself. But its all about winning, if Coach don't win he loses his job, so Coach want's the best QB he can get, However this Kid is going to let him down big time and Richard's will be looking for a new job next year. and as far as the kid getting an education? he could be dumb as a stump as long as he can play thats all that counts to any and I mean any college sports program. Sad isn't it.

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Jul 11, 2008 at 05:46 AM
I heard the police scanner would be the offical SOSU Football Radio Network.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 11, 2008 at 02:33 AM
This sounds like what they do with professional players. Let them keep playing even though they are low life scum making millions of dollars. What message does this send out to children...It's OK to do drugs. You can sell them and make money, but if you get caught, you'll get a slap on the hands and a cakewalk through college.

Posted by: SOSU Alumni Location: Oklahoma on Jul 11, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Coach Richards is an idiot to bring this drug dealer or user back to play football. If Coach Baxter was the coach, you would never here of this guy again. Well, I guess the team will always need someone to wash the jockstraps and clean the lockerroom. He should do that to earn his way back on the team.

Posted by: mom Location: pottsboro on Jul 10, 2008 at 10:08 PM
I agree that schools are there to help students in any way possible; however, I believe this young man has way too many problems, and the last thing he needs to be worrying about is playing football. He needs to be keeping his grades up and he needs to stay out of trouble! Looks like he and Coach Richards need to focus on what college is really about, and that's preparing students to become productive members of society. Playing football doesn't prepare anyone for the "real world"! He needs to be able to hold down a real job (not selling drugs), and raise a family when he graduates. Throwing a touchdown pass is great at the time, but it isn't important in the scheme of life! Extracurricular activities are for students who have their act together and can handle both class work and the activities. This young man clearly can't handle both. He can't even keep his nose clean. I think Coach Richards is wrong for keeping him on the team. I do hope he does graduate and stays out of trouble.

Posted by: Cute on Jul 10, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Nice mug shot. His mother must be so proud....