Jeff Greer

@jeffgreer_cj

The University of Louisville's interim president sent a letter to faculty and staff members on Tuesday afternoon saying he would soon lead U of L officials at an NCAA hearing for the infractions case involving the school's men's basketball program.

Greg Postel, who replaced interim president Neville Pinto in January, wrote in his letter that U of L believes the penalties it self-imposed in 2016 "were appropriate" and that the school looks "forward to presenting our case" in front of the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

The committee, a panel of administrators and lawyers, spent the past month reviewing the NCAA's investigation into misconduct by U of L's men's basketball program and the responses filed by U of L, head coach Rick Pitino and former graduate assistant Brandon Williams. At the hearing, the panel will listen to representatives from the NCAA and the university present their final arguments in the case. Williams and his lawyer are also expected to be at the hearing.

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"The university remains deeply troubled by what took place there," Postel wrote, noting that NCAA policy does not permit the school to say when the hearing will be held. "It never should have happened. On behalf of the university, I will handle this matter openly and directly. That is why I am writing to you."

Once the hearing is concluded, the committee will make its decision and discuss any potential further penalties for the university and its basketball program. U of L and the individuals involved have the right to appeal any decision made by the panel.

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The NCAA, after investigating the claims in Katina Powell's book, "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen," sent its notice of allegations this past October, charging U of L with four Level I violations, the most severe charge in the organization's penalty structure.

Former director of basketball operations Andre McGee is charged with arranging dance parties and sex for players and recruits. Pitino is charged with failing to monitor McGee, while Williams is accused of not cooperating with NCAA investigators. Both Pitino and Williams disputed charges through legal counsel, while McGee's counsel, citing an ongoing criminal investigation, declined to respond to the NCAA.

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The university last year acknowledged violations took place in the men's basketball program and banned its team from the 2016 ACC and NCAA tournaments before the NCAA completed its inquiry. The school later added several recruiting sanctions to its self-imposed punishments.

"We have acknowledged to the NCAA that improper activities took place," Postel wrote. "When the university learned of these incidents, we acted and took decisive punitive action. The penalties we imposed were among the most severe ever self-imposed by an NCAA member. We believe the penalties we imposed were appropriate, and we look forward to presenting our case at this hearing. The university’s approach has been that the best way to look to the future is to openly and directly face what has happened in the past."

Here is the full letter Postel sent to U of L's faculty and staff: