University of Louisville basketball fans held their collective breath as Rick Pitino leaned over the podium, dark lines prominent under his eyes. Would he stay or would he go, giving Karen Sypher, the accused and accuser, the satisfaction of seeing him humiliated.
Noting that he has apologized to his family every single day since the incident with Sypher occurred six years ago, Pitino apologized for his indiscretion to his extended family, the players, his recruits, the Louisville fans, university officials, even the media.
Pitino once again confirmed his commitment to the university:
“I plan on accomplishing one thing … coaching here at the University of Louisville as long as I can physically maintain the passion for the game of basketball, which is stronger than when I was a head coach at 24 years of age. I love the game, I love my players, I love the university, as well as this community … and I will try to go little further than the Elite Eights for many years to come.”
With that, Louisville fans exhaled for the first time in 24 hours, knowing, however, that the basketball program under Pitino’s guidance will never be quite the same.
Here’s the Courier-Journal video:
Not going to happen. What does the Commonwealth have to do with this anyway?
His contract allows him to be fired for cause for acts of “moral depravity”.
Dr. Ramsey, Tom Jurich , the University and the fans are showing how low they’ll stoop to win.
If not for his win loss record they would be singing another song. Any other coach involved in anything like that would be gone without question.
He is an embarrassment to the University, the City and the Commonwealth.
He should be fired. (period)
It was, Rick Pitino, though…Jim R. The second most recognizable face in Kentucky next to Ali. Even though compassion and forgiveness has been bestowed by those who needed to, we will all look at him in a different light from now on. CB Card makes a great point when hetalks of it being none of our business when it comes to family reconciliation. It’s a private matter between them and it should be. There will be some mothers or fathers who will forbid their sons to play for him.
What I need to see now is long term, across the board commitment from him now to live the life that is expected from one in such power. We are not hunting beagles who display total and complete loyality and companionship faithfulness. We are a fanbase that has had our world basically rocked over the last 48 hours by incredible tales of behavior. Could I forgive a husband who pulled off these kinds of stunts? Could I show my face in public after he admitted these things?
I’m going to close this book and return to being a football fan now. Lord knows, others will continue to drag it out as the basketball season nears, progresses and concludes. Time to shift gears and remember the Sonja motto:
Love the players, love the game.
Be a good guy, Rick. No more roller coaster rides. Act like you’ve been here before. And, learn from it.
Well, I hate it that this whole tawdry thing keeps dragging out. I am an avid Pitino fan. At the same time, I cannot help but wonder how this same situation might play out if, let’s say, most any other university employee, say someone in the football program, was the central figure instead.
The next chapter in the Rick Pitino saga has unfolded. He has done the things that repenting people do. Addressed the indiscretion and admitted to it. Apologized for it and asks for forgiveness from family, friends and the community.
It’s a tough thing to do, this complete disclosure and discussion of his severe misjudgment. And, those who directly judge him in his profession have accepted and stressed their support of him.
It’s now time for the fans to decide. I’ll go with the old adage…”to err is human, to forgive is divine.”.
I accept your apology, Rick. Become a better man from all this and let’s move on to the things that Cardinal fans don’t mind hearing about.
Football, construction and wins.
Why was there talk of him retiring? I don’t see the correlation between him messing around and resigning? Is it because of willard?
Well, Call me crazy – but he did the right thing and it looks like he is a fighter. Go Cards!
May God watch over the Pitino family!