Ricky P. Leaving L-ville?

[GeoFisher]

What are you basing that statement on - I've never heard or seen that one before.

Louisville's football program a few years ago is the ONLY REASON Louisville is even on a map.........

Basketball, while good, it doesn't pay the bills.........Filling Papa Johns Stadium Does.

There would be NO NEW ARENA without football being good 4-5 years ago, when the planning started.

Later,

Geo

[mhall]

Louisville's football program a few years ago is the ONLY REASON Louisville is even on a map.........

Basketball, while good, it doesn't pay the bills.........Filling Papa Johns Stadium Does.

There would be NO NEW ARENA without football being good 4-5 years ago, when the planning started.

Later,

Geo

George I respectfully disagree 100%. Freedom Hall has been selling out for over 30 years on every home game. The basketball team has a huge fan base with lots of boosters, season ticket holders and off the charts merchandise sales. Louisville football prior to Howard Snellenberger didn't put 5000 butts in the seats. You and many forget that Louisville basketball didn't just start being a strong national program with the arrival of Rick Pitino. Louisville was dominant during the decade of the 80's, with 2 National titles and several other final four appearances. Sorry Guy basketball has paved it's own way with huge fan support backing it.

[DJD]

Don, I guess you are just trying to get a rise out of us, it's all in fun. I'm telling ya brother Mr. Pitino is going nowhere, you guys are smoking something funny, lol.

Mark,
I'm really not I promise. I just remember the same talk around here when I first moved here from Orlando (granted it hasn't come to that point yet). I had followed Mr. P some before coming here and knew that when the talk of him going Pro came out that he was gone. I mean he had reached super stardom around here, the dude walked on water! But he left anyway. Why? Money and a new challenge.(JMO)

Yeah he denied it at first and people around here said I was off my nut and that I don't know Kentucky Basketball Politics I said your right, I don't know it but I know business and he is a business man. You don't get to his position by being totally honest...it's cold but it's true and in the end it's about him, his family and his Legacy.

He is a great motivator and around here we passed one of his books on tape between the Managers just to get some insight from a very successful man and it's amazing to listen to his stories from Providence and hear him talk about Billy Donovan.

I am serious about wondering if there is any legit talk on the local radio about him as you guys are more in his market area. Hey maybe he will stay but if he wins it all I would get concerned...again just my opinion.

[Tim_T]

Louisville's football program a few years ago is the ONLY REASON Louisville is even on a map.........

Basketball, while good, it doesn't pay the bills.........Filling Papa Johns Stadium Does.

There would be NO NEW ARENA without football being good 4-5 years ago, when the planning started.

Later,

Geo

Geo, that is incorrect. The football program was saved by the basketball program until about 1985 or so. Right before the hiring of Schnellenberger, the board of trustees were negotiating whether to drop football all together or drop down to 1-aa.

As for the new Arena, that was going to be built regardless. U of L is not building the arena, the city of Louisville is. Like I stated before, the basketball program is the most profitable basketball program in the country.