The father of a DePaul commit says he was assured by the school’s athletic director, and indirectly by the university president, that his son would be released from his Letter of Intent following the recent coaching change.
Yet DePaul issued a statement Wednesday saying Walter Pitchford Jr., a 6-10 forward/center from Grand Rapids, Mich., would not be released.
“This really caught us by surprise because the athletic director [Jean Lenti Ponsetto] indicated to me personally over the phone that Walter would be granted a release and she said that she had discussed it with the president of the school [Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider],” Pitchford Sr. said Wednesday by phone. “That made me feel comfortable.”
ZAGSBLOG.com wrote about Pitchford’s desire to be released May 29.
At that time, Pitchford Jr. said he wanted out due to the coaching change that brought in Oliver Purnell as the new coach and also because of concerns about crime in the Chicago area.
In response, DePaul issued the following statement via email.
“Despite recent media reports of Walter Pitchford being released from the National Letter of Intent he signed in November 2009, DePaul University is committed to Walter and is looking forward to him joining the program for the 2010-11 season. Walter showed nothing but enthusiasm to attend DePaul University throughout the recruiting process and since he signed the NLI to join the men’s basketball program. At this time, the athletics department does not intend to grant the release, and has notified the NLI Steering Committee as its provisions require.”
The Blue Demons have signed four commits in Pitchford, 6-9 forward Cleveland Melvin, 6-5 guard/forward Moses Morgan and 6-4 guard Brandon Young.
In a similar case, Fordham initially declined to give point guard Jio Fontan a release after he requested one. The school ultimately fired then-head coach Dereck Whittenburg and made a last-ditch effort to keep Fontan at the school.
Ultimately, Fordham released Fontan, who transferred to USC.
Pitchford Sr. said the family received a FedEx package from the school indicating he would not be released, but is not sure what his next move will be.
“I would’ve felt more comfortable if the AD had not told me that the president agreed with her that Walt should get a release,” Pitchford Sr. said.
“Knowing that the president was involved, it just doesn’t feel right.”
(Photo courtesy New Creations)
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