On Wednesday, the University of Louisville responded to NCAA allegations in the aftermath of claims made by Katina Powell.
The university placed blame on former staff member Andre McGee and defended head coach Rick Pitino.
Here’s an excerpt from WDRB.com:
As to the major violation against McGee, U of L acknowledged that “the only conclusion that can be drawn is that McGee arranged the dances, offers and sexual activity to assist in the University’s recruiting efforts. However, the University does not believe these dances or sexual activities greatly assisted its recruiting efforts.”
While it agrees that the overall violation against McGee is “collectively” a Level I finding, the university says it believes the individual allegations – including dances and providing sexual activity and cash – should be deemed less severe.
Those allegations are “appalling,” but the “value of the benefit provided is not a large amount,” U of L says.
The university doesn’t take a position on allegations that McGee and former basketball team assistant Brandon Williams refused to cooperate with the investigation.
U of L’s response formally disputes the NCAA’s allegation that Pitino didn’t monitor McGee. In disputing the charge, the university says it believes Pitino “fostered a culture of NCAA compliance within the basketball program and exercised appropriate supervisory oversight of McGee.
The separate 43-page response by Pitino through his attorney, Scott Tompsett of Kansas City, who argues that Pitino did monitor the program accurately, while repeatedly asking the NCAA exactly what red flags Pitino missed, or what reasonable spot-checks or pointed questions would have revealed the illicit activities.
REPORT: McGee paid Powell around $250 to $300 to bring the dancers and $80 to $150 for side deals between the dancers and the prospects
— Jason Riley (@JasonRileyWDRB) January 25, 2017
One recruit told UofL that "deciding factor for him not to go to Louisville was the dance & sexual encounter"
It "made him kind of awkward"— Jason Riley (@JasonRileyWDRB) January 25, 2017
Asked by Chuck Smrt if he ever arranged sex for prospects when they visited UofL, Andre McGee said "Absolutely not," response to NCAA shows
— Jason Riley (@JasonRileyWDRB) January 25, 2017
