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.”
Louisville playing Duke one day after the NCAA said the 2013 banner must come down. pic.twitter.com/YeRKbpM96m
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 22, 2018
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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