KSR Today: Louisville is the gift that keeps on giving
The scandals and head-scratching stories continue to pile up at the University of Louisville, this time with the school’s highest-ranking officials.
Well, previously highest-ranking officials.
Thursday morning began with University of Louisville President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi resigning and accepting a new offer to take over as President of Penn State University. It was a moment that came after weeks of tension within the school, specifically between Bendapudi and UofL Athletic Director Vince Tyra.
As she was introduced as Penn State’s new President, Bendapudi said she was “born to wear and cheer on the blue and white” after ditching red and black.
“I tend to go by Neeli, which actually, if you Google it, means ‘blue,'” she said. “… As you can see, it seems like I was born to wear and cheer on the blue and white.”
Just hours later, the school received Tyra’s resignation letter, as well, which was effective as of December 8.
“It is with bittersweet emotions that I share with you that I have stepped down from my position as Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics at the University of Louisville,” Tyra announced Friday morning. “Thank you, Louisville, for having me as your AD. I am grateful for our time together and for the profound privilege of serving this community. … It was my honor to lead you and I will profoundly miss you all.
“There is still more work to be done and I am certain that the next chapter of Louisville Athletics will be a great one. I will forever cherish on our beloved Cards, win or lose, with my head held high. Today, I make that return to the stands.
“LsUp. Always LsUp.”
Yuck.
In completely unrelated news — but somehow right on time — Katina Powell was also arrested this week, this time for shoplifting at Kroger.
Officers were called to Kroger on alleged shoplifters, with the manager giving a description of two subjects who allegedly walked out of the store with a cart full of items they did not pay for. After being followed out of the store by a manager, the cart was ditched and the alleged shoplifters were found by police walking in front of another store. The items, which were worth a total of $818, were all recovered.
Louisville is now down a President and an Athletic Director, and fans also have to hear Katina Powell’s name again in the news. The ultimate trifecta.
John Calipari, players speak ahead of trip to South Bend
The tune-up games are over for the Kentucky men’s basketball team. After seven consecutive home matchups against lesser competition, the name-brand schools are set to return to the schedule. It starts with a weekend road trip to South Bend, as the Wildcats will take on Notre Dame starting at 5:15 p.m. ET on Saturday. It will be the first of three high-profile non-conference matchups leading up to SEC play, with Kentucky then set to take on Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic on Dec. 18 and Louisville on Dec. 22.
What does the team think about the incoming stretch of difficult matchups? We’ll find out today, as select players will speak to the media starting at 10:30 a.m. ET, followed by John Calipari at 11.
KSR will be on hand for the interviews, followed by all the coverage you need on the site throughout the afternoon.
Kentucky WBB honors Matthew Mitchell, but falls to DePaul
Former Kentucky women’s basketball head coach Matthew Mitchell was honored at Rupp Arena Thursday evening, but his Wildcats were unable to get the job done on the floor, falling to the DePaul Blue Demons by a final score of 94-85.
It was a shootout between the two parties, with four Wildcats finishing in double figures. With starting forward Dre’Una Edwards suspended before the game for not upholding the academic standards of the program, senior guard Robyn Benton picked up the scoring help, finishing with 22 points on 11-15 shooting to go with seven rebounds. Jada Walker and Treasure Hunt both added 18 points apiece, while Rhyne Howard contributed 12 points in limited minutes.
As a team, the Wildcats shot 45.7 percent from the floor, but failed to hit a single 3-pointer, finishing 0-14 on the night.
During halftime, though, UK welcomed back Matthew Mitchell, giving the former head coach a chance to say goodbye to the fanbase nearly 13 months after abruptly stepping down from his position.
“Thank you so much Big Blue Nation, from the bottom of my heart,” Mitchell told the Rupp Arena crowd. “I’ll never be able to put it into words how special it is to be a part of the Big Blue Nation. The love and support you gave our family has been incredible and we thank you for that.”
“It was great to honor coach tonight,” new Kentucky WBB coach Kyra Elzy said Thursday. “It was good to have him back in the house. He deserves it, he’s done so much for Kentucky women’s basketball — he put this program on the national scene. … I love him, he’s my brother, friend, mentor, and I’m forever thankful for him and he’ll always be a Wildcat.”
Citrus Bowl practice begins today
Looking for some football in your life? You don’t have to wait long, as the Kentucky football team is set to begin bowl practice today.
The start of a three-week stretch before the Wildcats’ trip to Orlando, the team will hit the field to begin preparation for its matchup against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.
There will be a media opportunity after practice, tentatively slated for early afternoon. Plenty of coverage here on the site to follow.
KSR in an hour
Matt Jones and the gang are live from the 46 Solutions showroom in Lexington Green. Come out to see the show from 10 a.m. to noon, where you’ll have the chance to win tickets and send the crew off on their journey to Las Vegas.
We’ll see you there.
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