All Entries Tagged With: "sex scandal"

Put All The Cards On The Table

By Jim Reed

The thing so perplexing about the serialized Rick Pitino scandal is this: Most everyone you talk to offers a knowing wink and mutters that there’s “more to this than meets the eye.” Well, do tell. Somebody, please, do tell. The few facts that dribble out raise more questions than answers. Does no one have anything definitive? We want the facts, all the details; we’ll smugly apply our own prejudices and personal biases if need be. Then, just maybe, we can put it all behind us.

Doesn’t it seem that, in large part, the local news media has been circling the wagons in defense of the man whose white suit is becoming more famous than that of Colonel Sanders?  I am weary of the breathless whispers, the unfounded rumors, the unsubstantiated accusations; give us the true nitty-gritty.

Loosen the news hounds. Must we wait for the tell-all book? Where is Deep throat when we need him? Let’s hear some juicy tidbits from confidential informants whose story has been verified by an independent source. Tie up the loose ends! Right now, I feel like TV’s Monk: “I know they did it; I just don’t know how they did it.” Let’s get all the cards on the table.

Fox News assures us, “We report, you decide.” Fair enough. Then give us the scoop; we’ll analyze what’s in the shovel. What we’ve been getting, though, is a reluctance: News sources seem to be “fumbling for the check.” Why the timidity? Whatever happened to the rush to be the “first to report.” About all I’ve learned from TV is that, nights when he’s out late, Coach likes to go to Rally’s.

Yes, The Courier-Journal has taken the lead in breaking this story open, with open-records requests, etc., but there’s still a sense their heart’s not in it. Every time I read something new, there are more loose ends than clarity; I feel like Peter Falk’s Columbo asking: “Just one more thing.” I mean, whatever became of that post-Watergate investigative reporter, no stoned left unturned mindset? We need a local version of Woodard and Bernstein assigned to sniff out the facts. The devil is in the details.

It’s not just the press that seems to be dragging their feet on this, though. I’ve seen no local villagers gathering at sundown, armed with pitch forks and torches, to march on the castle demanding an explanation for what, based on the sketchiest reports, appears to be outrageous behavior by a pillar of the community.

Even university leaders, among the last bastions of morality, have developed a blind eye. Despite a good degree of pillorying of the coach in the national media, the prevailing attitude locally seems to be merely, “Well, boys will be boys,” and “But he’s such a good coach.” Where is the outrage?

Personally, I do believe in double standards. To wit: I have no problem with one set of rules for celebrities and another one for the rest of us. Celebrities who gripe about their lack of privacy can “talk to the bank.” For the record, I’ve been an ardent supporter of Rick Pitino. I was so taken by his public persona that, years ago, I hiked down to the belvedere just to watch him relay the Olympic torch. When he trotted past, the moment touched me.

In subsequent years, he basked in our admiration; he didn’t demur when we put him on a pedestal; he sought the spotlight; he also cashed the big checks. Success is a choice. If he has to squirm a bit now, so be it; he’s a public figure, of his own making, until now an icon of hard work and noble purpose. But: To whom much is given, much is expected. And it’s time to take some questions. As Desi often told his TV wife, “Lucy, you got some ’splaining to do.” How can we be judgmental and pious if we don’t have all of the cards on the table?

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‘Karen Sypher Photos’ Makes Google’s Top 5

Guess who or what made Google’s top five keyword search list on Friday?

No it wasn’t Rick Pitino, even though the local and national sports media, and every sports blogger between here and LA were stumbling over one another all day, desperate for new angles on the Porcini’s encounter.

What they were googling for was “Karen Sypher photos,” apparently in the thousands for her to have made the list. She finished fourth highest, behind “Hannah Montana cherries,” “Mark Lloyd,” and “Jamie Afifi,” respectively.

Sorry searchers, but Sypher’s photos are nothing to get excited about, shocking that the subject could actually charm the Louisville coach. This observer didn’t follow up on the other names (honest).

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Until details of Pitino’s interview with the police was released Wednesday, the sexual tryst was largely a local story. Now every sports commentator in America apparently has to have their say, including the guys over at The Young Turks in this video:

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Just so all the Sypher googlers don’t go away too disappointed, here’s a link to a photo over on Frankpos’ aptly-named Hell In The Hall blog. My guess is the photo is from at least 15 years ago.

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Sabbatical For Rick Pitino?

Yes, And Fans Will Like ‘Willie Ball’

By Tom Stosberg

It’s not that I don’t believe Tom Jurich when he says he’s one million percent behind his coach …it’s that you can never be that sure about anything. It’s like the kiss of death.

Okay, take a deep breath, Now let it out slowly. Good. Let’s talk.

It is my personal opinion that University of Louisville fans really are going to like “Willie Ball.” It is a very well-planned offense that focuses a great deal on guard play. It is designed to utilize a lot of outside shooting combined with very quick back door cuts. You will have to adjust to primarily a half court defense.

So now that we have cleared that up, here’s one more thing you will be glad to know: there won’t be any players standing around waiting for someone to do something. It’s fast motion. And the big men will all be going to the boards at the same time on every shot. It’s an extremely disciplined game along the lines of Duke and North Carolina.

Oh …uh …Willie Ball is Ralph Willard’s style of play and this season I honestly and truly think you’re going to enjoy it. Cue the Fight Song.

Never. Out Of The Question

By Charlie Springer

A sabbatical is the furthest thing from Rick Pitino’s mind.

Yes, it could get ugly when Louisville plays basketball on foreign courts over the next few seasons, especially in Lexington. There the big question will be whether UK fans despise Pitino more than they embrace John Calipari. You have to know Kentucky fans.

Like Bobby Knight, Pitino thrives on being the center of attention, preferably for winning basketball games over sex scandals. He’s back in the nation’s consciousness, collecting more ink than when he won a national championship. He’s embarrassed and humiliated, but the drama, oh the drama, and he’s playing the leading role.

Pitino wants to win a national championship at Louisville. He’s getting older. Any time away is wasted, harms him with recruits, and delays what he considers inevitable.

And finally, he will never allow the likes of Karen Sypher, an alledged extortioner driven by dollar signs and apparent contempt for the male species, to get the better of him. A victory over her in the judiciary arena and her allegations in the court of public opinion are now just as important as any win on a basketball court.

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Keeping Louisville Weird

Lots of people doing weird things in connection with the Rick Pitino-Karen Sypher affair. An unpredictable mix of local luminaries and loonies caught up in the soap opera, sometimes making it difficult to identify the good guys from the bad one day to the next.

The recent release of the police interview with Pitino confirms what many wanted to deny, that it was indeed a sex scandal, and it will continue to tarnish and embarrass anyone even remotely involved.

The effect of the mistakes will continue to compound for the cast of characters for different reasons:

• Rick Pitino:  Ever getting within 10 feet of Karen Sypher.
• Karen Sypher: Still making new demands and accusations six years later.
• Tim Sypher:  Marrying the woman after she had an affair with his boss
• Lester Goetzinger: The Sypher friend making alleged threatening calls to the Louisville coach.
• Dana Kolter:  The ju jitsu instructor/divorce attorney allegedly presenting Sypher’s financial terms to Pitino.
• Thomas Clay:  Respected local attorney briefly representing Sypher, getting out while the getting was good.
• Steve Pence: The attorney representing Pitino in a sordid case that will not be a good thing if he intends to be taken seriously as a candidate to replace Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson.
• University of Louisville fans: Wanting to believe in Pitino.

The observer doesn’t believe this is the scenario the Keep Louisville Weird promoters had in mind when they launched the marketing program.

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For Watching U of L Theatre

Yes, it has taken a while but Card Game has finally uncovered the perfect accoutrement for fans contantly in search of better ways to finish off their family rooms with an item certain to be the envy of every U of L fan — the NCAA Teamseats Home Theatre Chair.

Whether you’re watching a game or the weird attacks on  Rick Pitino by a bombshell wannabe, these luxurious leather loungers will assure comfort in TV viewing.

They start at $1,089.99 for a single seat or $3,488.99 for a row of seven.  However, the optional power recline motor and the wireless bass sytems will cost you big bucks.

The manufacturer also boasts:

• Wall hugger design allows you to place the seat within inches of the wall while still fully reclined
• Exceptional lumbar support and padded leg chaise component
• The backrest and the seat cushion are supported by sinuous 9-gauge steel coil springs
• All the cushions are made with high-density 2 lb. foam
• Customize your seating with multiple seats in either a straight or curved layout
• Stainless steel cup holders in both armrests.

The Pitino situation will get crazy when allegations are made public, or are overtaken by the rumor mill. May as well be comfortable.

Order yours now at One Way Furniture.

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Shoes: Run From Karen Sypher

If this female ever asks you for the time of day, run in the opposite direction as fast and far as your skinny legs can carry you. According to several local media sources, she is Karen Sypher, the estranged wife of University of Louisville equipment manager Tim Sypher, and she is alleged to have attempted to extort money from Rick Pitino. Tim has been equipment manager since Pitino arrived, and doesn’t deserve the embarrassment. Run.

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Baseball Cards Sweep — Andrew Clark singled to drive Josh Richmond home from second base in the top of the 14th inning to give Louisville a 4-3 win over Rutgers and a three-game sweep.  The Cards won 6-1 Friday and 7-4 Saturday. They travel to Bloomington for a return game against Indiana on Tuesday.

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