Petrino being sued

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

A lot of "he said, she said" feel to this case. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. Discuss.

Ex-player: Petrino lied about scholarship

During the first day of trial in a lawsuit against University of Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino, former player Ryan Holifield testified that Petrino lied to him about his scholarship.

A Jefferson Circuit Court jury also heard opening arguments in the lawsuit, in which Holifield alleges that Petrino broke his promise for a scholarship in 2002.

Petrino appeared in court during the opening arguments, flanked by assistant coaches Greg Nord and Mike Summers. Petrino did not return after a break for lunch, and he missed Holifield's testimony.

Holifield testified that he paid his own way at U of L in the fall of 2002 only because he believed he had been guaranteed a football scholarship beginning in the spring of 2003.

Craig Dilger, attorney for Petrino and U of L, told the jury in his opening argument that "there was no promise of a guaranteed scholarship."

Dilger also said he intends to show a line between reality and several "fantasies" held by Holifield's father, Dr. Mark Holifield, a U of L graduate who is a dentist in Jackson, Tenn.

Dilger said the elder Holifield was laboring under fantasies about the interest Division I football teams had in his son, as well as his son's chances for a football scholarship and the guarantee of a scholarship from U of L.

"The reality is that Ryan Holifield was good enough to be a walk-on at U of L," Dilger said. "If he was good enough over the course of a couple of years, he might have earned a scholarship. … He had no scholarship offers from other Division I schools and no other walk-on offers."

Holifield's attorney, Scott White, said the theme of Holifield's case is simple.

"Bobby Petrino made a promise to get him here," White said. "We've got a witness to the promise. And then they got him here, and they broke it."

Holifield is seeking $123,000 in damages, the estimated worth of a four-year football scholarship to U of L.

Dilger, however, said in his opening remarks that college football scholarships are one-year agreements that are renewed at the school's discretion.

Pat Baker, a former assistant coach of Holifield's at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, was the first to testify. He said that during Holifield's senior season, Holifield received interest from U of L, Maryland, Middle Tennessee, Towson State and a few other schools.

White submitted letters sent to Holifield by U of L during the tenure of former coach John L. Smith referring to Holifield as "one of the top prospects" the program was pursuing.

Ryan Holifield said Petrino told him during an official visit that no scholarship was available but invited him to come to school as a "preferred" walk-on. Holifield said he told the coach he wasn't interested without a scholarship offer.

Holifield said he received a call from his father later that day saying Petrino had made another offer, this time with a "100 percent guaranteed scholarship" when one became available.

Holifield said he told his high school coach, Mickey Sullivan, about the offer and said Sullivan called U of L to confirm it.

With both his father and coach confident that a scholarship would be there, Holifield said, he committed to U of L, and Baker testified that Fork Union told other schools that Holifield's recruitment was over.

Holifield later testified that U of L offensive line coach Mike Summers told him during practice for the 2002 GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., that coaches didn't think he was "Big East material," and that there would be no scholarship.

Holifield said he left the team because he "had no intention of playing for someone who wasn't being honest."

Dilger, who told jurors that Petrino would testify in the case, will begin cross-examining Holifield on Monday morning.

[MM4AU 0]

Having trouble figuring this one out since Petrino wasn't hired at UL until December of 2002.

[autigeremt 6,646]

hmmmmm.

interesting.

[WarDlowe 39]

Too much he said she said in this case but I do believe that Petrino is a snake that shouldn't be trusted. There was the whole jetgate thing and then something the next year involving similar circumstances.

[sogaaufan 27]

Other than the record on the field, I don't think Petrino has done much to endear himself to the U of L faithful. Does anyone remember how he whined for a raise and extension on his contract, then after he got it, kept the school hanging while he shopped around for another job?

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if Petrino was gulty.

[SKCAUB 0]

This is believable BECAUSE Petrino is a dishonest individual. And if the kid has a witness, he'll get one year's worth of scholly money...which would be fair.

[freebody 0]

coaches didn't think he was "Big East material,"

Dayum! That is a low blow! Playing-handball-against-the-curb, gotta-look-up-to see-down kind of low!