As most people know by now, the University of Louisville men's basketball team has recently been put under fire by allegations of hiring an escort by the name of Katina Powell. Powell claims in her book, "Breaking Cardinal Rules," that Andre McGee, former director of men's basketball operations for U of L, used her escort service in parties for recruits and their fathers for four years and paid over $10,000 for her services.
The analytical side of my personality finds this extremely hard to believe, and I'm going to tell you why. Katina Powell first claimed she wanted to tell her story to reveal what goes on behind the scenes in college basketball programs. She later admitted to writing this book to gain monetary profits for herself. How can you place your trust in someone who is doing something for their own personal benefit? Why not come forward when this was actively going on? Powell told Indiana Business Journal she had a conversation with a NCAA representative she describes as a "young white man" in March over the phone about recruiting violations. If Powell was speaking to them via telephone, how did she know he was a young white man? Logically, she wouldn't ask someone for their age and race over the phone when it comes to such a serious matter as that is extremely inappropriate. Why didn't she record his name instead? Secondly, Ms. Powell supplied her own 15 and 17- year-old daughters at the time to attend these parties. Not only is this completely illegal, it sheds light on Katina's priorities and motives. Third, she allegedly kept some records of her shows from 2011 until 2014, but the content of these are suspicious as well.
At the top it says "didn't really calculate or record or document shows this early on most of my shows were for U of L basketball team." First of all, the wording of this statement seems a little off. If you were just starting to document your shows, why would you need to state your shows in 2010 were specifically for the men's basketball team? It sounds like this was written at a much later date than the end of 2010 when Powell supposedly started keeping track of her shows.
My second critique of Katina's 'record' is that it all seems to be meticulously and carefully written in the exact same handwriting for the three years recorded. Additionally, if she was keeping track of specific parties, dates, and attendees, why is there only the year, generalized names, and general monetary amounts? One would think if you really wanted to document things accurately and professionally you would be more precise. These are all questions that come up when reading these articles and news reports about Powell's allegations.
When it comes to the publisher of "Breaking Cardinal Rules", IBJ Book Publishing LLC, it doesn't get any better. Michael Maurer, an alum from the Indiana University law school now named after him and prominent booster for the University, used his connections inappropriately in the IU Athletics Department for his personal gain as well. Maurer used Deputy Director of Athletics Scott Dolson to attempt to gain help in identifying an UofL player in an image without notifying Dolson what his intentions were. Maurer then sent out a separate email days later notifying all parties that it would not reflect well on the University of Louisville. Therefore, Maurer did not act in a very professional manner when attempting to gather the necessary resources for the book in question. The photo that was sent out contains a very pixelated image of a man and woman in a room the author claims to be Billy Minardi Hall. There is nothing incriminating or suggestive about the photograph.
Maurer stands to receive great benefits from the release of Katina Powell's book as publisher, chairman of IBJ Media Corp., and as an IU benefactor. Indiana and Louisville are beginning a three year series in basketball next season. When both the self-disclosed author and the publisher have personal benefits to such a book being published there has to be some suspicion present on the validity of accusations.
The only supporting evidence presented yet suggesting Powell's allegations hold some truth is a personal statement by former commit named JaQuan Lyle who now plays for Ohio State. Lyle made a personal statement according to CBS Sports that the "gist" of the allegations against the University of Louisville and Andre McGee were true. What this statement entails is unclear as specifics were not detailed.
Multiple articles have been published regarding the accusations and have placed the University of Louisville in a negative light. However, I want to remind everyone of something. Nothing has been proved to be completely accurate yet. The claims made by Ms. Katina Powell are just exactly that at this point in time: claims. The reality is that it is going to be awhile before anything is determined. If these accusations come out to be true, I will be both devastated by what that means for U of L and disappointed in those involved including administration, players, and recruits. If true I'm sure that University of Louisville officials and all involved will take the proper steps necessary to right any wrongs and ensure that nothing similar happens again.
Regardless of the outcome of this alleged scandal, I will always call myself a proud student and future alum of the University of Louisville.
Louisville First, Cardinals Forever!
