Louisville said the NCAA “abused” its authority when it disciplined the school for a sex scandal that could result in the loss of its 2013 national basketball championship.
The school also said in a 68-page appeal released Friday that the governing body imposed “draconian” penalties and ignored the school’s self-imposed discipline. Louisville banned itself from the 2016 postseason after its investigation uncovered violations.
This is the latest step in a case that began nearly two years ago. Escort Katina Powell alleged in a book that former Cardinals staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers for sex parties with recruits and players from 2010 to 2014.
The NCAA said Louisville must vacate up to 123 victories in which ineligible players received improper benefits. It also suspended Louisville coach Rick Pitino five games for failing to monitor McGee.
Additionally, the school was placed on four years’ probation and ordered to return money received through conference revenue sharing for appearances in the 2012 to 2015 NCAA’s men’s basketball championships. McGee, the former basketball operations director, received a 10-year, show-cause penalty from the governing body.
If Louisville’s penalties are upheld, the school noted that it would mark the first time a Division I men’s basketball title would be vacated.
Louisville’s appeal cited bylaws which provide that the COI “may” vacate victories and require forfeiture of revenues upon determining that a student-athlete competed while ineligible. Both penalties hinge on the participation, the response added, are discretionary and could be deemed inappropriate if the student-athlete isn’t culpable for misconduct and received a negligible benefit that could restore eligibility.
