OSU Linebacker Dismissed From Team

Tuesday, November 13th 2007, 7:30 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Suspended Oklahoma State linebacker Chris Collins has been dismissed from the football team. The decision come nearly a week after Collins pleaded guilty to the aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old in Texas when he was 17. A jury recommended that Collins serve a five-year prison on probation.

OSU interim president Marlene Strathe said in a statement that football coach Mike Gundy met with Collins earlier Monday and informed him that he'd no longer be a member of the team.

Strathe says since Collins has been a model student-athlete since arriving at OSU, the school will honor his athletic scholarship so he can get his education.

After last week's trial, OSU suspended Collins through the end of the season. A judge will formally sentence him on December 10th.

Attempts to contact Gundy weren't immediately successful.

Collins played in four games this season and had 31 total tackles.