PawneeSports
02-15-2006, 09:10 PM
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The Oklahoma News Article (http://newsok.com/article/1762550/)
Sutton to seek treatment
Written by: Mike Baldwin
The Oklahoman
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State basketball coach Eddie Sutton, confessing he had been drinking while driving during an automobile crash last Friday, announced Wednesday night he would be seeking treatment for alcohol addiction.
"I regret what has happened more than anyone will know," Sutton said by phone at a news conference.
Sean Sutton, named head coach designate in May 2004, will continue to coach the Cowboy basketball program. Eddie Sutton announced Monday he would be taking a medical leave of absence. He explained Wednesday that would include admission to a treatment program.
Eddie Sutton was cited for suspicion of driving under the influence Friday while driving to the Stillwater airport. Witnesses said Sutton was driving his Dodge Durango erratically.
Sutton has suffered chronic pain in recent years due to injuries to his back and hip.
"On Friday, the (back) pain was so bad, so I succumbed to temptation, I went and bought a bottle," Eddie Sutton said.
Blood-alcohol readings taken at the hospital that were delivered to OSBI are expected to be handed to the Payne County district attorney as early as today.
When Sutton was hired in April 1990, he admitted to a past substance abuse problem and later told of going to the Betty Ford Clinic in 1987 to be treated for alcoholism.
According to the accident report, about 5:45 p.m. Friday, Sutton rear-ended a car and ran off the road. Sutton was charged with driving left of center and going 60 mph in a 45-mph zone. After striking a Chevrolet Suburban, Sutton's Durango veered left of center, traveled about one-eighth mile and struck a tree.
Sutton, who will turn 70 next month, has coached 36 NCAA seasons, including 16 at OSU, his alma mater, where he helped resurrect both Cowboy basketball and his career.
The first coach to take four schools to the NCAA tournament, Sutton reached 26 NCAA tournaments, highlighted by three Final Fours, six trips to the Elite Eight and a dozen Sweet 16 appearances.
Sutton has taken pain medication and has been injected with steroids for extensive back and hip problems the past two years. His pain has been so severe at times that Sutton did not attend the Big 12 preseason press conferences in 2004 or 2005 and missed this years season opener Nov. 18 against Texas-Arlington.
Nineteen months ago, Sutton suffered a cracked tailbone after he jumped into a ditch to avoid an onrushing car while walking in his neighborhood. Two months earlier Sutton suffered facial lacerations and a back injury when he was accidentally knocked down an escalator at Los Angeles International airport.
The Oklahoma News Article (http://newsok.com/article/1762550/)
Sutton to seek treatment
Written by: Mike Baldwin
The Oklahoman
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State basketball coach Eddie Sutton, confessing he had been drinking while driving during an automobile crash last Friday, announced Wednesday night he would be seeking treatment for alcohol addiction.
"I regret what has happened more than anyone will know," Sutton said by phone at a news conference.
Sean Sutton, named head coach designate in May 2004, will continue to coach the Cowboy basketball program. Eddie Sutton announced Monday he would be taking a medical leave of absence. He explained Wednesday that would include admission to a treatment program.
Eddie Sutton was cited for suspicion of driving under the influence Friday while driving to the Stillwater airport. Witnesses said Sutton was driving his Dodge Durango erratically.
Sutton has suffered chronic pain in recent years due to injuries to his back and hip.
"On Friday, the (back) pain was so bad, so I succumbed to temptation, I went and bought a bottle," Eddie Sutton said.
Blood-alcohol readings taken at the hospital that were delivered to OSBI are expected to be handed to the Payne County district attorney as early as today.
When Sutton was hired in April 1990, he admitted to a past substance abuse problem and later told of going to the Betty Ford Clinic in 1987 to be treated for alcoholism.
According to the accident report, about 5:45 p.m. Friday, Sutton rear-ended a car and ran off the road. Sutton was charged with driving left of center and going 60 mph in a 45-mph zone. After striking a Chevrolet Suburban, Sutton's Durango veered left of center, traveled about one-eighth mile and struck a tree.
Sutton, who will turn 70 next month, has coached 36 NCAA seasons, including 16 at OSU, his alma mater, where he helped resurrect both Cowboy basketball and his career.
The first coach to take four schools to the NCAA tournament, Sutton reached 26 NCAA tournaments, highlighted by three Final Fours, six trips to the Elite Eight and a dozen Sweet 16 appearances.
Sutton has taken pain medication and has been injected with steroids for extensive back and hip problems the past two years. His pain has been so severe at times that Sutton did not attend the Big 12 preseason press conferences in 2004 or 2005 and missed this years season opener Nov. 18 against Texas-Arlington.
Nineteen months ago, Sutton suffered a cracked tailbone after he jumped into a ditch to avoid an onrushing car while walking in his neighborhood. Two months earlier Sutton suffered facial lacerations and a back injury when he was accidentally knocked down an escalator at Los Angeles International airport.