“The University of Louisville and Rick Pitino have done a tremendous amount for me, I would love to do the same for them but I don’t think that’s possible”, Hancock said, adding “I’ve tried to stay involved in the community and do as much as I can for the University and especially Rick Pitino who has been like a father figure for me after losing my own Father”. In a previous interview with ESPN, Pitino said neither he nor anyone on his team or staff knew about these parties.
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“If there was wrongdoing, a big if, and people have to pay for their crimes, and that’s an if, if it happens we will own up to it and do the best we can under adverse situations”. So I know the whys from the other end.
I hope those ifs are not true because that building means a great deal to me.
Fans we spoke with after the luncheon say they were happy Pitino addressed the situation and cleared the air before the upcoming season starts.
“He said, ‘The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy, ‘” Pitino began.
But the Louisville basketball coach couldn’t resist the chance to speak directly to the roughly 1,200 U of L fans at the annual Basketball Tipoff Luncheon, and he delivered a nearly 19-minute speech that, after a brief opener about his 2015-16 Cardinals, focused almost entirely on controversy surrounding U of L hoops.
“We’ll get through this the right way, and whatever sits upon us, we will find out with the right people investigating”, he said.
Pitino admitted he has been down lately with everything that has been going on, he even has walking pneumonia, but he says this team is lifting him up. “‘We have something very special on our horizon, and this attack on our program is just verification”. Every player I’ve ever coached knew exactly where I stand.
Willard, who re-joined Pitino’s staff in April, has been advised by doctors to back away from his coaching duties to address his medical condition. There is no timetable on the length of his departure. “I expect it to be a smooth transition”.
“I thought it was very good he is so honest”. These young men have been maturing well physically and mentally.
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Russ Brown has covered University of Louisville athletics for over 30 years, including 15 for The Courier-Journal in Louisville.
