LOUISVILLE — Rick Pitino will participate in this Sunday's Louisville AIDS Walk after all.

        The University of Louisville men's basketball coach had canceled his appearance after learning that Billy Minardi, his brother-in-law and best friend, was among those missing and presumed dead in the rubble of the World Trade Center.

        But Mr. Pitino said he has changed his mind since then, and hopes to resume as much of a normal life as possible.

        “My life has been shattered and I'm devastated — and I've spoken to him (Minardi) every day for the last 33 years,” Mr. Pitino said Monday. “But anytime people are dying and need help, you have to do whatever you can, both financially and physically to help.”

        Mr. Pitino and his wife, Joanne, attended a prayer service for Mr. Minardi last week in New York.

        Mr. Pitino first participated in the AIDS Walk last year, after a special invitation from UofL basketball great Darrell Griffith.

        The Louisville basketball team will join Mr. Pitino in this year's walk.

        Walk organizer and Louisville Alderwoman Denise Bentley said donations had been down, but they've been picking up recently. On Monday, she received a $5,000 donation from a major corporation, she said.

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