Kentucky News: ACC Levies Underwhelming $25K Fine to Louisville

Kentucky News: ACC Levies $25K fine to Louisville, Virginia Tech, after “Wakeyleaks” scandal showed Cardinals coaching staff complicit to accepting game plans, cheating against Wake Forest

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino shouts during the second quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky News: The Atlantic Coast Conference issued what it calls institutional fines of $25,000 to conference schools Louisville and Virginia Tech after reviewing an investigation by Wake Forest University and reported subsequent discussions with schools.

According to a press release issued by the ACC, the amount of the fines are the highest allowed by the league’s bylaws, which will likely provide little satisfaction for fans in the Bluegrass State tired of Louisville’s repeated, demonstration behavior in the Athletics Department.

“I am deeply disturbed something like this would occur, and regardless of the degree of involvement, the protection of the competitive integrity of our games is fundamental to any athletic contest,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Sportsmanship and ethical values are at the core of competitive integrity and in these instances, those were missing. The expectation, regardless of the sport, is that any athletics department staff members would immediately communicate with their supervisor if they are approached by someone from another institution with proprietary information.”

The press release went on to say the ACC was supportive of the actions taken by the University of Louisville, regarding the Cardinals’ suspension of Louisville Offensive Coordinator Lonnie Galloway, who the Cards suspended for their upcoming Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against LSU.

Well, yeah.

We now know that Galloway received plays and game plan information from fired Wake Forest radio broadcaster, and former player and coach, Tommy Elrod. Galloway received the info from Elrod prior to the Nov. 12 matchup between Wake Forest and Louisville in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Wake Forest staff members found a play sheet featuring their own game plans in the stadium on Nov. 11, the day prior to the game. Louisville won that game 44-12.

Ultimately, a Louisville coach was found to be guilty and complicit in cheating. A coach with an assumed relationship so close to the head coach, it’s unfathomable for any expert out there to not believe head coach Bobby Petrino was complicit as well. So the coaching staff cheated, the Cards got another win, and now they’re in a top-tier bowl that pays out a reported $4.25 million.

Yeah, that $25K fine should cover it. The ACC is apparently as tough on crime as the Cardinals Athletic Department.