Ohio University Pitcher, Former Player Accused Of Gambling

Authorities said the betting involved only professional sports

Jan. 14, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio University pitcher and a former baseball player were charged Monday with taking bets on professional sports, and two other players were suspended from the team for placing bets.

Authorities said the betting involved only professional sports. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt said there is no evidence that the players tried to influence the outcomes of games.

Andrew Shisila, 22, of Mentor, and Brent Decoster, 22, of Westlake, face misdemeanor gambling charges in Athens Municipal Court. They are accused of running the gambling operation. If convicted, they could get up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Two other baseball players have been suspended from the team for placing bets. The university declined to identify them because of privacy requirements.

The university also has notified the NCAA, which could strip a year's sports eligibility from the players. The NCAA prohibits betting on sports.

Decoster formerly played on the baseball team. Shisila, a senior, was primarily a relief pitcher last season, but started the final game and got the victory in a 15-0 win over Bowling Green. The Bobcats went 23-31 last season, including 8-19 in the Mid-American Conference.

The university was notified of the gambling operation in an e-mail last November. The school's police department investigated and turned its findings over to Athens Law Director Patrick Lang, who filed the charges Monday.

Lang said no additional charges are expected. A total of eight people were involved in the betting ring, the university said. Five are Ohio students, including the four with connections to the baseball team.

Shisila and DeCoster could not be reached for comment Monday. There are no phone listings for either of them. Both are scheduled to appear in Municipal Court on Thursday.