Rick Pitino Admits to Affair With Sypher

not good folks. This is not a good thing.

This may be something that he cannot get past with big time recruits that have close knit families with traditional values. I was really hoping this was not true.

Based on the C-J’s Andrew Wolfson, in an article Wild Weasel linked and I put on the front page just below Tru’s post — The only part of this tale that seems odd to me is the presence of Pitino’s assistant, some fellow named Abbott.

It seems he was in the restaraunt unbeknownst to either Pitino or Sypher and overheard what he thought were two people, uh, enjoying themselves. He says he lied down, as if to hide. This to me reads like a convoluted (and unnecessary) confirmation from a witness that a rape did not occur.

Pitino supposedly had the keys to the place, so how did Abbott get out of the eatery? Well, he could have left during the interlude, but he couldn’t have locked the door as he “fled the scene” because he didn’t have a key.

That whole (Abbott) thing doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. But, I do not for one second think Pitino raped Sypher. He used abysmal judgment, sure, but rape? No way. But when one has a marriage that allows for such daliances, this is the price that is sometimes to be paid.

As angry as I still am with Pitino for going to Louisville, my heart is still heavy.

They were proud of Rick’s stature and character. Both are taking a hit right now big time. I wonder how my sister will share this with my young nephew who idolizes Pitino and the Cards right behind Peyton and the Colts. Though I liked to disrespect “traitor Rick” any chance I got (for fun to get a rise out of my nephew and his dad lol) — I am saddened. Maybe Barkley is right. Maybe not. Go Peyton.

This is ugly and sad. I’m just not sure what to say.

Great right up and I’m really impressed with what everyone is saying here.

I’m more than a little worried about UK v UL at Rupp. If Pitino walks in I hope we can stay classy, may be a long shot though.

I see him gone by early October. Commits won’t leave and time to find temp successor. I don’t feel bad for ol boy, he knew what he was doing. I feel bad for Mr Sypher cause he stood by his boss who deceived him as well as his wife. What an ultramaroon!

What I am upset about was the chance to see Spitino n Calimari duke it out. Maybe I’ll be wrong.

I loved him when he was at UK, and I still respected him at UL. Now? He is beneath my contempt. Maybe it is my pro life bias swaying me (Lord, lets not start that debate), but his actions in this case make me want to vomit.

this puts her comments about what happened in a whole new light. We all defended Pitino to a certain extent when we had no credible proof that the incident ever happened. Now, this is simply a case of he said-she said, and those are never, well, simple.

Either of his own accord, or not. One can be a rumored philanderer, but I’m sure whatever “agreement” he and his wife might have reached did not include this level of public embarrassment. Wouldn’t he at the very least least take a long “leave of absence” to fix his personal life? Even for appearances sake, if they have already worked through it?

But to me, the most damning quote is this, from UL President James Ramsey:

"Several months ago Coach Pitino informed me about the alleged extortion attempt. I’ve now been informed that there may be other details which, if true, I find surprising. My thoughts are with Coach Pitino and his family."

Clearly Ramsey did not know (or is at least positioning that he did not know). That’s a problem, no matter what Jurich might have known.

Combine the facts that Willard is there (providing a ready-made interim coach), Pitino is no longer a spring chicken and does not “need” the money, and I say he is out within a week.

He doesnt seem the type of guy who is going to let something drive him away from his job unless it interferes with his effectivness.

He has known for a while that he made some very wrong decisions. He has known that all actions have consequences, good and bad. He has known that he has hurt most those around him who supported him without fail. I hope he realizes that those are the ones who really matter. Those are the ones who need to be reassured that they matter.
I am a firm believer that actions speak louder than words, and he can SHOW them they are important to him. Fans and recruits and such, (maybe), will be lead by the receptions of those closest to him. I really feel sorry for his family and close friends at this time. I hope it works out well for those few. As for the rest, only time will tell….

and I mean an APOLOGY — heartfelt and honest. It may too late, though. My friends and relatives back in the Commonwealth say he must go… which surprised me a bit. I am willing to forgive as we are all sinners. But forgiveness comes from a contrite heart. If he doesn’t show that I think he’s toast.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0812093pitino1.html

I’d put money on that. U of L will grant him that favor. If the morality clause kicks in and/or the media does not forgive him, he resigns. He may have been forced out, but he’ll resign, and we’ll never really know until his book comes out.

Is no one else noticing the oddity of Tim Sypher marrying Karen?

In time:
1. Rick Pitino has a sexual relationship with Karen Cunagin at Porcini on August 1, 2003.

2. Sometime mid- to late-August 2003, Mr. Pitino meets with Ms. Cunagin at the condo of his equipment manager, Tim Sypher, so that an alleged pregnancy can be discussed and payment of abortion money can be accomplished. Mr. Sypher and Ms. Cunagin meet for the first time.

3. In 2004, Mr. Sypher marries Ms. Cunagin (now Karen Sypher), the woman who may or may not have gotten knocked up by, but in any event, slept with and received abortion money from, his boss in a local restaurant less than one year prior.

Huh? Whaaaaaa? Any possibility this was a marriage of convenience or an “olive branch” to shut her up?

His attorney is now claiming that Pitino did not in fact pay for an abortion, rather just for some health insurance (and really, who can fault the man for finding it in the goodness of his heart to make sure this woman can get her yearly physical):

Pitino’s lawyer, Steve Pence, said Wednesday the coach believed the money was for insurance, not an abortion. Pence said Pitino asked Sypher how much the insurance would cost and she told him $3,000.

Of course, the appropriate response to this is a two-word phrase that Rich Brooks likes to use. But it sure doesn’t sound like a man about to throw himself on the mercy of the public. . .

I also think that the Louisville fans out there that consider this to be a non-issue or not a big deal are kidding themselves and are in very very deep denial. This is a very big deal and there is no way around that.

I predict Pitino does NOT coach next season.

is quiet because the matter pertains to UofL. If the matter pertained to UK he would be chatting up a storm. He doesnt like to talk about the cards apparently. I think he’s a closet UK fan in denial.

is on Rick taking a leave of absence sometime during the coming year and Willard finishing the season. If things are still bad for him and his family, he resigns with the hope that Willard had a good year and can take over. If things are better for him and his family, or, possibly, if Willard flops in his place, he comes back.

To give him an excuse to lose to Coach Cal!!!!!

will make a public statement at 6:30 PM. It is to take place in the media room and he will not be taking questions. He had previously stated that he would not have any comments about this until he was on the witness stand. This may be something else? I have no idea.

Stay tuned.

I don’t like it. Not one bit. My knee jerk reaction is dismiss him. This is the University of Louisville. It’s not the University of Pitino. I don’t think UofL needs Pitino or any other coach anymore than UK needs Calipari or IU needed Bobby Knight. UofL was pretty good before Pitino and will probably be pretty good after Pitino.

Of course, I need to understand my opinion is swayed by my morals having been faithfully married for 27 years without slipping. I don’t believe in abortion. Does that make me a saint? No. If someone slips on my ‘personal morality’ platform should they be fired?

I also have to understand that this issue happened 6 years ago. I don’t believe for a second it was rape.

So maybe it comes down to this question…..if someone had a sexual relationship with a woman outside of his marriage, is it enough to dismiss him? What if it happened 20 years ago? 30 years ago?

I just saw the tail end of the news conference. I am on the fence and at this point leaning toward making a change….but again, we don’t know the entire story, now do we?

from sideshowhoze

I havent seen him post in a looong time.