University of Louisville President James Ramsey had little to say publicly early Wednesday afternoon regarding basketball coach Rick Pitino's admission that he had a brief affair with a woman who's now charged with trying to extort him.The Courier-Journal published details of a July police interview with Pitino in which he acknowledged having a sexual encounter six years ago with Karen Cunagin, now Karen Sypher, at a Louisville restaurant. Pitino also denied her allegation of rape; prosecutors last month declined to bring charges against him.According to the report, Pitino also gave the woman three thousand dollars after she told him she was going to obtain an abortion and didn't have insurance. His attorney says the coach believed the money was for medical insurance.U of L President James Ramsey declined to comment Wednesday beyond a statement released the previous night."I have not had the opportunity to talk with anyone else. the athletic director was out this morning. I'll try to arrange to meet with him and talk with him and others, Ramsey said during an unrelated press conference.Ramsey said in his statement that he was "surprised" by details surrounding Pitino's acknowldgement of the encounter but that his thoughts were with the coach's family.
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.