My initial reaction to Rick Pitino’s rant about the Katina Powell fiasco was that the coach was close to going over the edge. Why bring up the issue when media coverage of the probe had all but dissipated, every possible angle having been examined? Fans seemed to recognize it for what it was, a cheap tawdry episode involving hookers, college kids and an elite basketball program.
Based on Pitino’s comments, however, it is obvious that he is deeply hurt that his program would be mired in such a mess. Having prided himself on running a squeaky clean program, Pitino was astonished that someone in his organization would tarnish his personal reputation and put his basketball program at risk. Shocked that the alleged ringleader was a former University of Louisville player, a person who seemed to have a bright future, having personified the spirit of the program.
Some pontificators, however, including Rick Bozich, of WDRB-TV, and Dan Dakich, of ESPN, have declared that Pitino, a micro manager of every aspect of his basketball program, had to know that was going on in Minardi Hall. They have demanded that Pitino be fired, unceremoniously dismissed from the program, apparently believing he has lied about having any knowledge. They have made up their minds, gotten the attention they want in the public arena, and will not be swayed by any evidence to the contrary.
What’s interesting to me personally, with a Courier-Journal sports department stint on my resume, is how moralistic some sportswriters and TV personalities can be when controversies surface in athletics. The same people who, for their livelihoods, heap praise on coaches and players for their athletic successes day in and day out, rarely questioning their character. Suddenly they become experts on the law, and what’s right and wrong, without ever sharing their credentials. As far as we know, their only qualifications are typing and creative writing or a microphone and a viewing audience.
Credibility? Not really.
Still, for Pitino to openly defy the advice of legal counsel, including his own attorney and the lawyers representing the university and to ignore orders from the NCAA by publicly discussing the case with media, seemed way over the top. At least initially. Standard practice for lawyers to advise their clients to keep their mouths closed, let their legal counsel do all the talking. Most of the time, however, the lawyers themselves resort to legal jargon that has the effect of making their clients seem more guilty.
Meanwhile, their clients continue to suffer the indignities of public scorn, with no abilities to defend themselves from media scrutiny. The reputations of the individuals and the institutions they represent are fair game, sometime muddied beyond belief. Tried in court of public opinion, with actual facts seemingly irrelevant. Their best hope in many instances is that the case gets lost in the legal system and dismissed on technicalities. The big difference, of course, in this particular case is that the NCAA will decide guilt or innocence and appropriate penalties.
Pitino felt compelled, therefore, to speak up on his own behalf, and for his basketball program and the University. He’s quite good at that, and very convincing. Many of the attacks have been aimed at Pitino personally and he couldn’t tolerate being silent with all the abuse coming his way. He also believed he had an obligation to defend an athletic department that has demanded strict compliance with NCAA regulations.
Good for Pitino. As with most cases in which the NCAA is involved, the investigative process could go on for months and years. Meanwhile, who would be defending Rick Pitino, the basketball program, the athletic department and the University. Probably no one, subjecting UofL partisans to ridicule and derision from the finger pointers, and sarcasm and disdain from arch rival fans who celebrate anything negative that happens to Louisville.
Over the long run, this case,involving only a few individuals, won’t amount to much, with a mild penalty will be adjudicated against UofL, at worst a year of NCAA ineligibility and the loss of a couple of scholarships, at best a few games suspension for the coach. Pitino is fully aware of the possible consequences. He owed it to himself and the University to break his silence.
Pitino’s comments may also have been designed to put on notice that there could be legal consequences for any organization that holds him personally responsible for any illicit activities. Hell to pay, in fact.
They certainly weren’t the actions of a 63-year-old individual, “so old” that he doesn’t care anymore what people think about him.
The press conference:
In sexual matters, the rule is, penetration however slight, is sufficient to complete the offense. As of yet, I’ve found no evidence of even a tongue penetrating an ear, much less any other bodily orifice.
The only sex Powell has even alluded to was when some light-skinned “flunky” gave her a $100 for apparently doing nothing but looking at her.
The whole book appears to amount to nothing more than a fantasy sex scandal designed to get Powell some money. It sounds more like another extortion scam.
I thought Pitino had gone off his rocker, too. All the talk had died down but he took the extraordinary step of firing up the media again, giving them new ammunition. His main purpose may have been to let everybody know he would not be held personally liable and that he would file a lawsuit against whoever attempts to blame him. That could include the NCAA and the university itself. You don’t mess with Rick Pitino and not get hurt. Just ask Karen Sypher.
I agree wholeheartedly. UofL is expected to say nothing while all the crap is being thrown its way? That’s not fair and it’s not smart, regardless of whatever the temporary consequences would be for UofL. The university is much bigger than the basketball program and needs to be able to defend its reputation. Lawyers are often shortsighted, thinking only of the legal consequences. There are much bigger issues at stake here.