L'ville coach denies scholarship offer

[BullAdrian]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/ncaa/03/29/bc.fbc.petrino.testimony.ap/index.html

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino told a jury on Tuesday that he did not promise a scholarship offer to a former walk-on who is suing the university for the cost of a four-year education.

Ryan Holifield claims that Petrino promised to offer Holifield a scholarship in the spring of 2004 if Holifield paid his own way during the 2003 fall semester. He is suing the school for $123,000, the estimated worth of a four-year football scholarship to U of L.

Petrino testified he told Holifield he would have the chance to earn a scholarship but did not promise one, The Courier-Journal reported Wednesday on its Web site.

"I said there was an opportunity for a scholarship, but it had to be earned," Petrino said. "We don't use the term 'guarantee."'

Petrino testified for two hours explaining how the university went about recruiting Holifield, a 6-foot-5 offensive lineman from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.

Holifield made an official visit to the school from Jan. 24 to 26, 2003. At that time, Petrino said he would welcome Holifield to the team as a walk-on.

"I told him we didn't have a scholarship available," Petrino said. "We talked about how a walk-on gets a scholarship and that his best chance would come after two years."

When Holifield did not receive a scholarship following his freshman year in 2003, he transferred to Middle Tennessee.

Louisville offensive line coach Mike Summers testified Holifield wasn't good enough to receive a scholarship offer. Summers said a grading system he uses to gauge the potential of a recruit rated Holifield below the level required for players to earn the scholarship.

Testimony continued in the case on Wednesday. Closing arguments are expected on Thursday.

[Mag Pie]

I don't get it...  if he transferred out after his freshman year, then why is he suing for all 4 years?

And that seems like a whole lot of money for 4 yrs...just over 30,000 a year.  Is he talking traveling expenses? Because if that's tuition and room and board its almost as much as a private schools.  And UL is a public university...

[KeysBull]

This guy went to my high school before fort union.  He was always bragging about going to Luisville, and I have since wondered what ever happened to him.......

[BiggTipp]

he is going to lose that battle

[smazza]

did the jury come back

[bulls96go]

is this kid on crack?

if he walked on at UL he should have just gone to mid tenn in the first place.

[Mhscard95]

The Jury decided that the case had no merit and U of L was innocent of any wrong dealings.

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/14224438.htm