Rick Pitino urges Louisville to take NCAA to court to keep 2013 title banner aloft | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Tuesday / March 19.
  • Rick Pitino urges Louisville to take NCAA to court to keep 2013 title banner aloft

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    Former Louisville coach Rick Pitino urged his old school to take the NCAA to court to keep its 2013 title banner flying.

    “To say I’m disappointed with the NCAA appeals ruling would be a gross understatement,” Pitino, who was fired in October in the wake of the FBI investigation into college basketball, said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon in New York, according to the Herald Leader. “I hope Louisville will not give up its fight and follow suit by taking this injustice to the courts and filing an injunction for that banner not to come down.”

    The NCAA’s Infractions Appeals Committee announced on Tuesday that it upheld the Committee on Infractions’ ruling that Louisville must vacate 123 wins, including the 2013 title and the 2012 Final Four appearance, as punishment in the school’s escort case.

    “Did a few of [the players] partake in parties they didn’t organize? Yes they did,” Pitino said. “But that had nothing to do with an extra benefit, nothing to do with helping their eligibility or performance in winning that championship. My heart is broken and shattered for them, our fans and a great university …

    “The NCAA cannot rewrite history by taking a banner down. Our players won those games by outplaying outstanding opponents. And to say I’m proud would also be an understatement.”

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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