UPDATE: Pizza Hut Offers West Chester Student $10K Following Controversial Buzzer Beater
By Kim Glovas
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) - A West Chester University student who nailed a half court shot in an effort to make $10,000 over the weekend, is now being told he is ineligible for the money.
West Chester freshman Jack Lavery took part in the contest during halftime of the WCU-Shippensberg basketball game on Saturday.
The challenge was make a layup, a foul shot, a three-pointer and the last shot from half court.
"He was able to do all those things, but they're now telling us that because he did the half court shot on his second attempt, even though it was within the 25-seconds, that he may not win the money," Jack's dad, Bill Lavery of Hatboro, tells KYW Newsradio.
West Chester Athletic Director Doctor Ed Matejkovic says, however, Jack signed a form which clearly spelled out clearly the rules to the contest:
"This young man did sign a rule sheet, understanding that he only got one attempt at a half court shot."
Matejkovic says as a result, Jack cannot collect the money.
"Regardless of the pandemonium that occurred, because certainly, everybody thought that he did it, but he didn't and we told him. We went down and told him right away. You know, unfortunately, we feel bad, but you knew ahead of time, you signed a rule sheet and you knew you only got one attempt at the half court shot, so whatever happened there, he left there knowing."
Bill says it appeared to him that not everyone knew the rules, "If you look at the tape, you see the emcee from West Chester encouraging him to take the second shot."
In a turn of events, on Tuesday Pizza Hut announced via Twitter it is offering Jack $10,000 plus free pizza for a year.
The Twitter post reads: "Hey @JackLavs22 we know greatness when we see it. We have a check for $10K and free pizza for a year for you. What say you? #PayJackLavs"