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Oklahoma State captain deals a rare assist

posted by Stephanie.Wilding

When Oklahoma State named Nick Sidorakis its team captain earlier this summer, the senior who averaged 2.5 points last season immediately identified the most important line in his job description.

“The main thing I need to do,” Sidorakis said, “is set a good example.”

He didn’t waste any time getting started.

With the 2010-11 season still three months away, Sidorakis is already being praised for demonstrating the unselfish qualities that create unity and cohesion in a locker room.

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Nick Sidorakis obviously takes his role as captain of the Cowboys seriously.

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Sidorakis – a scholarship player the past three seasons – recently helped coach Travis Ford avoid a potential mess by volunteering to give up his full ride and pay his own tuition. Ford oversigned in his latest recruiting class.

Not wanting to see any of his teammates lose their spot on the team, Sidorakis brought up the idea of surrendering his scholarship during a one-on-one meeting with Ford this summer.

“It’s the ultimate sacrifice and commitment to a program,” Ford told reporters last week. “He’s always shown his leadership and I think this is just another way.”

Sidorakis said Monday that he realized soon after last season that the need for him to give up his scholarship may arise. So he began saving up money he earned from working odd jobs and will use it to help pay his tuition.

“I made a couple of bucks over the summer, here and there,” he said. “It’ll all work out.”

A native of Jenks, Okla., Sidorakis won’t be charged as much for tuition as an out-of-state resident. Oklahoma State charges in-state residents $136.75 per credit hour opposed to $497.50 for out-of-state residents.

Before he made the final decision, Sidorakis consulted with his father, Nick. Sr., who is the general manager at Southern Hills Country Club.

“He was all for it,” Sidorakis said. “He just wanted to make sure it was something I truly wanted to do.”

Talk to Sidorakis long enough, and it’s clear he’s being genuine when he said he gave up his scholarship “for the good of the team.”

The Cowboys lost All-American guard James Anderson and second-leading scorer Obi Muonelo from a squad that reached the NCAA tournament last season. Because of the Cowboys’ youth, inexperience and lack of a proven star, most analysts have predicted that 2010-11 will be a rebuilding year for Oklahoma State. On paper, at least, its chances of finishing in the upper half of the Big 12 seem slim.

“We have a chance to be better than people think we’re going to be,” Sidorakis said. “This summer, playing pickup, I was able to see the skill set of all the new guys. The potential is there for us to mesh. We have a chance to be really good.


Sidorakis may not be on scholarship anymore, but his role should increase this season.

Ron Chenoy/US PRESSWIRE
“People think that because we lost Obi and James that we might have a down year. They were very skilled, but we have other guys in this program that can do a lot for our team, too.”

One of those players is the 6-foot-4 Sidorakis, who came up huge in the Cowboys’ upset of Kansas State last season. With Anderson and Muonelo gone, Sidorakis will likely see more minutes this season than the 12.6 he averaged as a junior. When Ford told him earlier this summer that he expected him to play a huge role in 2010-11, Sidorakis said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s what I’m expecting.”

No matter what happens on the court this season, Sidorakis’ future off of it appears bright. The entrepreneurship major said he hopes to own a few of his own businesses someday, although he’s not sure what type.

“Right now I just want to get my feet wet and see what I like the most,” he said.

Wherever he ends up, Sidorakis will always be a fan favorite at Oklahoma State thanks to his recent gesture toward the school he loves.

Programs such as West Virginia, Tulsa, Wichita State and Virginia showed interest in Sidorakis out of high school. But when Oklahoma State offered, Sidorakis said he “just couldn’t say no.”

Nearly four years later, Sidorakis couldn’t be happier he accepted that scholarship – even if he doesn’t have it anymore.

“With him graduating as a senior, I told him this shows what type of person he is,” Ford told reporters. “Making this type of commitment is something you don’t see everyday. He’s the ultimate team guy. He’s got a great future ahead of him.”

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