The Louisville men's basketball program will have to vacate its 2013 national championship, which it won inside the Georgia Dome, after the NCAA denied its appeal on Tuesday.

The NCAA Appeals Committee on Infractions upheld the initial ruling from the Committee on Infractions to force Louisville to vacate wins during the 2011-12 through 2014-15 season.The initial penalty was announced last June.

> More:  Kevin Ware defiant following ruling

The initial ruling from the NCAA stems from an investigation into a former Louisville staff member who arranged for strippers to entertain players and recruits during parties at an on-campus dorm, leaving several players ineligible.

Louisville beat Michigan in the 2013 national title game under former head coach Rick Pitino, who was fired last fall following his alleged involvement in the shady recruiting of a five-star prospect.

According to ESPN, the Cardinals will become the first NCAA Division I men's basketball program to vacate a national title during the Final Four era.

> Mark Bradley:  3 ways to clean up college basketball

About the Author

Keep Reading

Mercer sophomore defensive lineman Andrew Zock (center) has 10 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss this season for the No. 10-ranked Bears. (Courtesy of Mercer Athletics)

Credit: Mercer Athletics

Featured

Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez