News and Music Discovery
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

U of L Names Vince Tyra Acting Athletic Director

Rick Howlett

The University of Louisville has appointed an acting athletic director.

Louisville businessman Vince Tyra, a member of the U of L Foundation board and the son of the late U of L basketball star Charlie Tyra, will take over the duties of Tom Jurich.

Jurich was suspended with pay last week after it was revealed that the U of L men’s basketball program is included in a federal complaintalleging that high school recruits were given bribes to attend schools sponsored by the Adidas apparel company.

Tyra, 51, is a partner in the private equity firm Southfield Capital and has ties to several other businesses. He’s also a part-owner of Louisville’s minor league soccer club.

Tyra’s appointment was announced today by U of L Interim President Greg Postel.

“Vince Tyra is an exceptional leader who will provide stability to our athletics department,” Postel said in a press release. “His success in business, his athletic background and his close ties to the university and the athletics department will be important to the continuing success of our program.”

U of L basketball coach Rick Pitino remains on unpaid leave in the wake of the federal probe, and Postel has been given the go-ahead by the university’s athletic board to begin the process of firing him.

Assistant Coach David Padgett was appointed interim headcoachlast week.

This post has been updated.

Rick has been a member of the WFPL News team since 2001 and has covered numerous beats and events over the years. Most recently he’s been tracking the Indiana General Assembly and the region’s passion for sports, especially college basketball.
Related Content