Pitino won’t be punished

By Gary Bedore     Aug 16, 2009

Questions begging to be answered …

Q: What’s going to happen to University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, who had a one-night extramarital affair with Karen Cunagin Sypher and told police he gave her $3,000 after she said she needed an abortion but didn’t have health insurance?

A: Nothing. Future Hall of Famer Pitino has received a vote of confidence from U of L president James Ramsey and athletic director Tom Jurich.

Obviously those university leaders consulted with Louisville’s wealthiest donors, who want to keep Pitino around with John Calipari now lurking 75 miles away at rival Kentucky.

Q: What bothers you the most about the Pitino mess?

A: Aside from the coach’s lack of judgment and reckless behavior? It’d be athletic director Jurich telling ESPN he’s “one million percent behind coach Pitino.”

Isn’t 100 percent a strong enough show of support considering the seriousness of the matter, Mr. Jurich?

Q: Why did Cub fan Johnny Macchione of Bartlett, Ill., drop a beer on Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino as Victorino settled under a fly ball Wednesday night at Wrigley Field?

A: My guess is because he’d already had too many $6.50 drafts to drink and decided to share one with Victorino.

Beer and sports don’t mix in Chicago, my hometown.

Remember back in 2002 when two crazies charged out of their Comiskey Park box seats onto the field to tackle and punch K.C. Royals first-base coach Tom Gamboa?

It’s bad enough when drunken idiots beat on fellow fans. It’s worse when they go after the participants.

Drink in moderation again this year during your football tailgate parties, KU fans. KU-Mizzou is intense enough when the fans are sober, much less blitzed.

Q: Anything out of the ordinary happen Tuesday at KU football Media Day?

A: Yes. At one point, with 15 minutes left in the session, quarterback Todd Reesing had zero reporters interviewing him.

Years ago, KU Media Day meant non-stop questioning of the QB and perhaps one other offensive and defense player. Now there are so many accomplished Jayhawks to choose from that even the starting signal-caller gets a break.

Q: Was KU athletic director Lew Perkins smart to extend women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson’s contract three years?

A: Yes. Henrickson, who had just two years remaining on her pact, needs to be armed with a four- to five-year deal so she can assure recruits she will be around for their entire college careers.

Now it’s up to Bonnie to earn her $635,000 per annum by leading KU into the 2010 NCAAs.

Q: How do you think KU football and men’s basketball will fare this season?

A: The sky’s the limit … IF the top players stay healthy.

A healthy Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins figure to lead KU into the Final Four. Once there, anything can happen.

A healthy Reesing is capable of directing KU into the Big 12 title game. Once there, anything can happen.

The 2009-10 school year begins Thursday. Get ready for a wild ride.

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