Sept. 20, 2001
The tragedy that hit our nation also hit the college basketball family.

Billy Minardi had played golf with Rick Pitino the week before.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino lost his brother-in-law, Billy Minardi, in the tragic World Trade Center attack. Minardi, the brother of Joanne Pitino, was a bond broker for Cantor-Fitzgerald in WTC Tower 2. That company lost 700 employees in the attack.

Billy Minardi had played golf at Pebble Beach with Rick Pitino the week before. Tuesday was his first day back from vacation.

Minardi had a number of close friends in the basketball world. Among those expected to attend a memorial service in his honor were Pitino, Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard and Providence coach Tim Welsh.

Our sympathies go out to all the families who have lost loved ones in this horrible tragedy.

Anyone who wants to pay respect to the Pitino family can send a donation to the Daniel Pitino Foundation, which was established in 1987 after his infant son passed away. The address:
Daniel Pitino Foundation
3141 Beaumont Centre Circle, Suite 20
Lexington, Ky. 40513