Louisville Courier Journal Editorial: "[Rick] Pitino's Admission". Read My Comments Below.
Pitino's admission
University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino insists that he did not commit sexual assault in 2003, and police and prosecutors back him up.
But what Mr. Pitino has admitted to during police interviews is tawdry and profoundly disappointing — consensual sex with an apparent stranger in a restaurant after an evening of heavy drinking, while an aide waited within hearing range. Mr. Pitino said he later gave the woman, Karen Cunagin Sypher, $3,000, which directly or indirectly she used to pay for an abortion.
Similarly distressing was the initial reaction of UofL president James Ramsey and athletics director Tom Jurich. The latter said Mr. Pitino had been truthful with the university and that “we stand by him.” Mr. Ramsey said the new details were “surprising,” but also sounded supportive and added Wednesday only that he will meet with Mr. Jurich. That didn't sound like a no-nonsense, get-to-the-bottom-of-this response from officials whose top priority must be the integrity of the university and its sports programs.
The university and a gaggle of lawyers can argue about whether Mr. Pitino violated terms of his contract that stipulate that he can be fired for causing “disparaging media publicity of a material nature that damages the good name and reputation” of the university and for “acts of moral depravity.”
On two matters, however, there can be little argument. One is that Mr. Pitino and the university would be expected to take harsh measures against any player or staff member who had behaved as their coach did.
The second should concern those misguided fans who think that all that matters is whether the basketball team wins. This is going to be an ugly season if Mr. Pitino is at the helm. Imagine the commentary on the sports channels. Picture the signs inside arenas in places like Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey, where UofL must play. Try to think of a bigger distraction.
It won't be pretty.
Editor's comment: Rick Pitino may have shown bad judgment in having the affair, but that is a far cry from a reason to fire him. We need to re-focus on the REAL culprit here: the alleged extortionist criminal and serial liar (and gold digger) >>>>> Karen Sypher.
University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino insists that he did not commit sexual assault in 2003, and police and prosecutors back him up.
But what Mr. Pitino has admitted to during police interviews is tawdry and profoundly disappointing — consensual sex with an apparent stranger in a restaurant after an evening of heavy drinking, while an aide waited within hearing range. Mr. Pitino said he later gave the woman, Karen Cunagin Sypher, $3,000, which directly or indirectly she used to pay for an abortion.
Similarly distressing was the initial reaction of UofL president James Ramsey and athletics director Tom Jurich. The latter said Mr. Pitino had been truthful with the university and that “we stand by him.” Mr. Ramsey said the new details were “surprising,” but also sounded supportive and added Wednesday only that he will meet with Mr. Jurich. That didn't sound like a no-nonsense, get-to-the-bottom-of-this response from officials whose top priority must be the integrity of the university and its sports programs.
The university and a gaggle of lawyers can argue about whether Mr. Pitino violated terms of his contract that stipulate that he can be fired for causing “disparaging media publicity of a material nature that damages the good name and reputation” of the university and for “acts of moral depravity.”
On two matters, however, there can be little argument. One is that Mr. Pitino and the university would be expected to take harsh measures against any player or staff member who had behaved as their coach did.
The second should concern those misguided fans who think that all that matters is whether the basketball team wins. This is going to be an ugly season if Mr. Pitino is at the helm. Imagine the commentary on the sports channels. Picture the signs inside arenas in places like Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey, where UofL must play. Try to think of a bigger distraction.
It won't be pretty.
Editor's comment: Rick Pitino may have shown bad judgment in having the affair, but that is a far cry from a reason to fire him. We need to re-focus on the REAL culprit here: the alleged extortionist criminal and serial liar (and gold digger) >>>>> Karen Sypher.
Labels: College sports, Crime, Keeping them honest, Punishment
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 9:43 AM
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