University of Louisville basketball head coach Rick Pitino says he will not resign amid prostitution allegations in the program. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Outside the Lines reported that five former players and recruits attended parties involving exotic dancers.
One player said he had sex with a dancer paid off by staff member Andre McGee.
In a season preview poston Pitino’s web site Thursday, the Hall-of-Famer says he apologizes to fans for having to “endure the pain” of the allegations, and he plans to focus on basketball heading into the upcoming season. You can read his full statement below.
To our loyal fans, First, above all, I’m sorry we all have to endure the pain of these allegations. I so appreciate your support and friendships. I will not resign and let you down. Someday I will walk away in celebration of many memorable years but that time is not now. I do not fight these accusations by others but rather turn the other cheek. Couldn’t do it at 33, but at 63 it’s the wise thing to do. Let’s let the investigators do their job and we will play basketball.
Pitino has maintained he had no knowledge of any illegal activities within the organization. The Cardinals begin their season Nov. 1 against Bellarmine University.
