Last week, in my official role as Chairman of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees, I released a statement and the first part of it reads:
"As Chairman of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees, I am deeply convinced that the NCAA findings will clear Coach Rick Pitino of any knowledge of the alleged scandal."
I received numerous messages through various outlets, most of them very complimentary and understanding. Others questioned my conviction, including the question of my access to the NCAA investigation. Let me set the record straight.
I have no access to the investigation reports, interviews, or findings. I do know that there are three parts of this process - investigative, reporting, and remediation. I believe that at some point the report is shared with the university president and the board chairman. Frankly, no one has a clue as to when that will happen- certainly not soon enough.
I do not use the words “deeply convinced” very often. My beliefs are a product of my own conclusions after contemplating the issue. I am proud to provide my justification.
First and foremost, I take Coach Pitino at his word. At many public and media venues he has vehemently denied any knowledge and he has provided adequate reasons. Who are we to question? His media presence, integrity, and honesty are undeniable. Understanding that this old fashioned “face” value doesn’t work for some, I ask that you replay the videos to facial expression experts who are unbiased and let them render their opinion.
Does a man in his late 50s (when the alleged allegations took place) who has taken three different teams to Final Fours, multiple conference championships and a national championship with an unscathed record in major infractions suddenly wake up and think his team needs a recruiting edge off the court to take them to a new level? Scientific research tells us that in regards to reputation, one becomes more risk averse as they age, not more risky and that is easy to understand. Why ruin a career or a reputation when you have already created a legendary biography as a coach?
While the general population does not know Coach Pitino, they know his type as nearly everyone has been around highly successful CEOs, managers, coaches, and teachers. They are “type A” perfectionists and strivers, who exhibit endless grit and relentless work ethic. They take their awards and accomplishments and trophies, celebrate them and put them on the shelf to go further. They delegate and trust their direct reports to do their job so that they can focus their strengths on their highest value.
Contrary to popular belief, you do not get to the Hall of Fame by micromanaging. You achieve success by setting a vision, managing your resources, building your co-workers, and practicing incredible focus.
High achievers like Coach Pitino simply get better at getting better. You don’t abandon these ways as you mature; you refine them. Judging by Coach Pitino’s prolific coaching tree, his management style and techniques work.
Can you get a rogue co-worker at least once in your career that violates trust? Yes. Can you assign a guard to every 17- to 22-year-old kid and honestly believe they won’t find a way around them to engage in activities of their choosing? Unlikely. Isn’t it more plausible that there was some criminal invasion on that part of the campus unknown to any authority?
Lastly, the use of empathy also vindicates Coach Pitino. The qualities to real empathy - perspective taking, emotion sharing, and prosocial concern - are all contained within an environment of non-judgment that eliminates bias. Take an imaginary leap into Coach Pitino’s life at the time he lost his best friend and brother-in-law Billy Minardi to ruthless terrorists on 9/11. Imagine what it felt like to be helpless in the search for your friend in the rubble of the World Trade Center and eventually come to the truth of his demise. You cry, you suffer, you cope and lead family as a friend, relative and an uncle.
Through post-traumatic recovery you find a way to honor him - an annual basketball tournament. You raise money and funds to build a state-of-the-art dormitory that is shared by the student population and your players. The beautiful building is called “Minardi Hall.” You are irreparably marred but you have permanently honored and this gives you some comfort.
It is inconceivable to me that anybody could conclude that Coach Pitino had any knowledge of any unseemly alleged events occurring in Minardi Hall.
I am deeply convinced.
The opinions in this article are mine and are not meant to reflect any organization of which I am a part.
http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...why-deeply-convinced-pitino-cleared/81653636/
"As Chairman of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees, I am deeply convinced that the NCAA findings will clear Coach Rick Pitino of any knowledge of the alleged scandal."
I received numerous messages through various outlets, most of them very complimentary and understanding. Others questioned my conviction, including the question of my access to the NCAA investigation. Let me set the record straight.
I have no access to the investigation reports, interviews, or findings. I do know that there are three parts of this process - investigative, reporting, and remediation. I believe that at some point the report is shared with the university president and the board chairman. Frankly, no one has a clue as to when that will happen- certainly not soon enough.
I do not use the words “deeply convinced” very often. My beliefs are a product of my own conclusions after contemplating the issue. I am proud to provide my justification.
First and foremost, I take Coach Pitino at his word. At many public and media venues he has vehemently denied any knowledge and he has provided adequate reasons. Who are we to question? His media presence, integrity, and honesty are undeniable. Understanding that this old fashioned “face” value doesn’t work for some, I ask that you replay the videos to facial expression experts who are unbiased and let them render their opinion.
Does a man in his late 50s (when the alleged allegations took place) who has taken three different teams to Final Fours, multiple conference championships and a national championship with an unscathed record in major infractions suddenly wake up and think his team needs a recruiting edge off the court to take them to a new level? Scientific research tells us that in regards to reputation, one becomes more risk averse as they age, not more risky and that is easy to understand. Why ruin a career or a reputation when you have already created a legendary biography as a coach?
While the general population does not know Coach Pitino, they know his type as nearly everyone has been around highly successful CEOs, managers, coaches, and teachers. They are “type A” perfectionists and strivers, who exhibit endless grit and relentless work ethic. They take their awards and accomplishments and trophies, celebrate them and put them on the shelf to go further. They delegate and trust their direct reports to do their job so that they can focus their strengths on their highest value.
Contrary to popular belief, you do not get to the Hall of Fame by micromanaging. You achieve success by setting a vision, managing your resources, building your co-workers, and practicing incredible focus.
High achievers like Coach Pitino simply get better at getting better. You don’t abandon these ways as you mature; you refine them. Judging by Coach Pitino’s prolific coaching tree, his management style and techniques work.
Can you get a rogue co-worker at least once in your career that violates trust? Yes. Can you assign a guard to every 17- to 22-year-old kid and honestly believe they won’t find a way around them to engage in activities of their choosing? Unlikely. Isn’t it more plausible that there was some criminal invasion on that part of the campus unknown to any authority?
Lastly, the use of empathy also vindicates Coach Pitino. The qualities to real empathy - perspective taking, emotion sharing, and prosocial concern - are all contained within an environment of non-judgment that eliminates bias. Take an imaginary leap into Coach Pitino’s life at the time he lost his best friend and brother-in-law Billy Minardi to ruthless terrorists on 9/11. Imagine what it felt like to be helpless in the search for your friend in the rubble of the World Trade Center and eventually come to the truth of his demise. You cry, you suffer, you cope and lead family as a friend, relative and an uncle.
Through post-traumatic recovery you find a way to honor him - an annual basketball tournament. You raise money and funds to build a state-of-the-art dormitory that is shared by the student population and your players. The beautiful building is called “Minardi Hall.” You are irreparably marred but you have permanently honored and this gives you some comfort.
It is inconceivable to me that anybody could conclude that Coach Pitino had any knowledge of any unseemly alleged events occurring in Minardi Hall.
I am deeply convinced.
The opinions in this article are mine and are not meant to reflect any organization of which I am a part.
http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...why-deeply-convinced-pitino-cleared/81653636/
