There has been a lot of talk this week about the situation at the University of Louisville. That is where a former “escort” has written a book and given an in depth television interview about how she was hired to bring “dancers” and “escorts’ to parties for Louisville basketball recruits and players. She claims that these “escorts” cut side-deals where they were paid by a former Louisville graduate-assistant coach to have sex with recruits and players. UL head coach Rick Pitino claims he knew nothing about what was going on. There are so many angles to this story: how did Pitino not know? Where did the money come from? Was there underage prostitution going on? The stories go on and on. How common is something like this, is another question. I don’t believe it happens “everywhere”, but I sure as heck don’t think Louisville is the only place where something like this has taken place. In SOME places, “win at all costs” is the motto. We had some calls this week claiming that this is indicative of college athletics everywhere. I don’t believe that. The stories like what we are hearing at Louisville are the exception, not the rule. There are thousands and thousands of student-athletes all over America, playing a wide variety of sports, who are taking advantage of a great opportunity, representing their university and becoming quality people. I honestly believe the majority of athletic programs are doing things the right way. It’s easy to take a horrible, embarrassing situation like Louisville and say “everyone is doing that”. I think that is erroneous, irresponsible and just wrong.
