Here is yet another Bio piece from a long time reader (keep them coming folks). Mark T. wrote this one and he spins his tale well…
My Pitt story takes me back to the mid 1980’s with my family in south Florida. Not exactly how you thought that should start, right? Well my grandfather was a military man who had decided to retire from the jewelry business he had grown in Michigan and headed south to the tropical weather that Florida offered. Soon thereafter, my parents and myself followed.
Growing up in south Florida in the early and mid 80’s didn’t give you much of a sports option. There wasn’t hockey or baseball there yet and basketball wouldn’t start until 1988 which coincidentally was the year after I moved away from Florida.
In 1980’s south Florida you had the Miami Hurricanes and the Miami Dolphins and that was pretty much it. The Dolphins were still riding their wave of excellence and 
dominance in the 1970’s and had a young gun slinger named Dan Marino that just seemed to be the most charismatic man while also being the most fiery competitor on the field on any given Sunday.
I didn’t follow college football at the time but as an impressionable young child, South Florida and the Miami Hurricanes absolutely hated, and I mean HATED, Penn State. You’ll remember the battles that ensued between those two programs in the 1980’s and what I knew was, your loyalty was to your region and my region was southern Florida schools.
Relocating to central Pennsylvania in 1987 (after following my grandparents once again) my family and I settled down just south of Harrisburg and I began school as the awkward kid who for some reason wasn’t a Steelers fan or an Eagles fan or even a Redskins fan… but a Dolphins fan. When people would ask me why I was a fan I’d explain where I grew up and then would always end my discussion with two words, Dan Marino.
As it would be, central Pennsylvania are a bunch of homers for their Penn State Nittany Lions. I was already ingrained with hating them and you don’t generally start to like something that you grew up hating and I was certainly no exception. In fact, by moving into the area my hatred for PSU grew larger and larger each year until I had reached high school.
I played a couple of sports in high school but my first love was and will always be football. I was a junky when it came to the sport, playing pick-up games, practicing, creating my own playbooks and watching as many games as I could on the television. One game in particular was very impressionable on me in the 1990’s as I was getting older.
In September of 1997, the Miami Hurricanes were visiting the Pittsburgh Panthers and the game aired on ESPN2. I watched Pete Gonzalez lead that Pitt team to a close 21-17 victory that night and knew that I had found my team. A team that showed that grit, determination and hard work could help any team beat what I grew up knowing as one of the best teams in college football.
I was lucky enough in high school to attend a couple of Pitt Football summer camps (summer of 97 right before that Miami game and the following year in 1998) under head coach Walt Harris. I got my picture taken with Tony Dorsett and his Heisman Trophy. I walked the halls that showed off all the glittering hardware the University had earned via its football program over the years. I lived in Sutherland Hall and walked the same hallways as Bill Fralic. Hugh Green and Dan Marino and every other superstar Pitt player whom I also I started to idolize.
Sadly, I would never suit up for the Pittsburgh Panthers but luckily for me, my grades would allow me to attend whichever university I wished to attend. So in the fall of 1999, I enrolled as a freshman at the great University of Pittsburgh, the same school that my boyhood idol Dan Marino attended.
I now have fond memories of my time at the school, the people I have met and all of the things I have accomplished because of my time at our university.
I can tell you where I was when I thought Greg DeBolt (and the rest of the team) was going to beat up Penn State’s LaVar Arrington for unecessairly leveling DeBolt on a punt return; I attended the last game at Pitt Stadium with an amazing victory over Notre Dame and then attended the great game at Three Rivers stadium the following season when we shut out Penn State 12-0. The upsets over Virginia Tech, the backyard brawls, and other wins, some as big underdogs… these things combine to make up a lot of my current psyche.
Loyalty is a big part of my life, sometimes to a fault. To this day I am still a Miami Dolphins fan and I forever will bleed Pitt’s blue and gold.
pittpov.com 
Wow, Mark T, another great story on your path to being a Panther fan . Loved it, Thanks for sharing. I have to say, since the Capel hire, Pitt athletics seems to be on a roll . Let’s hope the Lady Panther softballers can keep it going. H2P !
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Sorry to go off topic and so early in the comments section, but I have to give a big shout out to those Lady Panthers for making it to the ACC Championship Game. Way to go ladies. Awesome. Now go bring it on home. H2P.
Great story Mark; thanks for the post.
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Pitt is going up against Florida State ranked anywhere between 6 and 10 depending on the poll. Pitt is ranked as high as 36 in one poll. If Pitt wins, it will be an upset but they have momentum on their side and not as much pressure. Should be a close game. I think both teams split their games against each other this year. Both were close and low scoring I believe.
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Mark T. – Thank you for your article. Love reading about folks connection to Pittsburgh and Pitt. H2P. – Hobie
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PS. I hope it’s Gallagher’s and Lyke’s hire that has Pitt on a roll. – Hobie
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It’s not. She’s been coach for some time.
I credit the new facilities for helping bring in better recruits
Tex
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Great story Mark T and thanks for sharing. The POV now has 3 Marks that I know of.. Could it be the Good The Bad and the The Ugly?? jus kidding Marks.
You bring up the point that southern Fla didn’t have a lot of options for sports team viewing or rooting wise. That’s interesting as the local pro sports teams are the biggest excuse/reason why PITT doesn’t draw large home crowds. You know the competition for the sports dollar. Yet the Miami Hurricanes have never enjoyed a large consistent fan-base and attendance while not having the pro baseball and hockey opposition. I’ve been to south Florida more than any place other than the Pittsburgh area and it is a funny place indeed. People on the roads but you never see them anywhere. They are addicted to air conditioning.
You had me with hating psu. My good buddy Jim doesn’t allow me to use that word (hate) but I hear you.
Again thanks for sharing Mark T
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No offense taken, Ike.
Mark (The Good)
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MarkT… great read and you are a “baller.” Get on here posting and straighten us out . Look forward to meeting you at Fran’s tailgate!
Thanks for sharing and remember that your Panthers kicked your Canes butts to end last season!
Let’s Go PITT !!!
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and a Big BTW, The PITT softball game is on ESPN at noon.. Be There!!
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This is from Erie Express in reference to a past article – he’s had trouble posting lately…
“I’ll politely disagree too. I believe and I have faith that a new set of leaders will rise up and take this team where no Pitt team has been – an ACC Coastal division championship. Last year, if you all remember, player leadership was lacking in a BIG way. Duzz even went to outside help in the form of bringing in guest speakers to teach these young men about leadership.
That effort was too late for 2017, but just in time for 2018. We won’t know who the captains will be until Fall camp. But mark my words, that Aston and Pickett are leading morning workouts right now with with players who believe in the process. Recently we were entertained with video of Wirginis “mic’d up” – it appears that young man has matured and learned valuable lessons from previous discipline and actions by the program. Dennis Briggs was a captain last season as the only JR and he is in heated battles for playing time.
Stars for 2018 look Lyke this to me – Pickett at QB, 4* RB’s 3 or 4 + QO, 4* Bookser, 4* TE Reeves, 4* P.Ford (3 way player – O, D, ST), 3* almost 4* WR Shockey and 4* WR Flowers (looked good in the Spring Game – must continue developing amongst a mediocre WR crew). On D, I see many. We’ll start with the 412 Crew of 4’s in DB’s Hamlin and P.Ford. Up front, which HCPN says will be a strength of this team are 4 Hendrix (late bloomer with a history of injuries that hampered on field performance – remember J.Price?), 4* DT Watts, 3* almost 4* DT Camp and NT Twyman. The LBer crew has been a weakness – I see there being six really good players in 2018 with 3* almost 4* McKee breaking out from the 2nd team to be a star.
Two former Pitt greats and NFL players hang out at the South Side facility (Conner and Donald) – both proud Pitt men who are future Panther HOF candidates. Both influence these young Pitt players just by walking in the room. They are both engaging, passionate about winning and being the best at their positions and are role models off the field. We need more of that and we need to expose recruits to that greatness.
I believe and have faith that HCPN has a plan and has formulated that plan to produce champions on the field and in life. Is this the year we see the fruits of his plan? We’ll have to wait and see…It is Heather Lyke’s job along with the rest of the Athletic Dept to fill the empty seats at Pitt Stadium @ Heinz Field. Will you be there?
The nitters are ranked #13 in the “way to early” polls for 2018 – many of them are complaining and think they belong in the top ten. I say let them get their way, put them in the top ten after they beat App State and bring their enabling butts to Pittsburgh in early September for a good ole’ fashioned wood shed butt whoopin’.
The nit fans have already looked past Pitt – let’s punch them square in the face and let them know that “we are” the better FB team for another year in the non-rivalry game.
H2P!”
Erie Express
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BTW – fun with POV numbers:
Since June 18th, 2016 when we started this Pitt POV Blog we have written and posted 613 articles in 693 days or every 1.2 days (or so).
With that we have had 80,800 comments or an average of 131 comments per article.
Great Job Guys and Gals!!
Now – here is a short quiz. In all our articles which do you think got the most comments?
Hint – there were 950 comments and it was a ballgame thread.
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Our loss to the pedos?
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Dan was an exciting football player to watch. Thanks for sharing with us, what a great morning read.
Clemson game? Since it was an away game more people on here during it. Seems to make sense .
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Inspiring article Mark T. Good on Ya!
In response to the incessant pissing & moaning that quite a few, “so called”, Panther fans like to do regarding the mediocre performance of Pitt football since those glory days of Marino & Co., not too long ago, I contributed an article that itemized Pitt’s list of notable wins during that decades long period up until the present. (& I add the Miami game to that list now, as well) During those years of, “wanderings in the desert” so to speak, there have been many highlights to lessen the pessimism of win-loss records that mostly were nothing to write home about.
Every one of the games that you mentioned above were also noted in my POV article. I just find it hard to comprehend why so many people fail to grasp the reality that I myself recognize as obvious, that being, that the “game” itself is just a mini reflection of life itself. Life is a struggle for most of us, especially when it is complicated by the inadequacies of financing, lack of cooperation with others of influence in the task and just stiff opposition to our own drive for success in making it. Just like in life, Pitt football has had to deal with all of these hurdles over it’s century plus existence. Somehow however, we have been privileged to witness some real highlight reel victories by our Panthers over the years, even when, being good enough to garner elite status recognition from the wider college football sporting world evaded the program.
Will Pitt ever climb the mountain again to stake their claim to another National Championship, planting a Pitt Script flag at it’s pinnacle? I don’t know. But what gets my goat is when other people actually mistakenly think that they are somehow clairvoyant by confidently announcing that Pitt will NEVER win another NC. Never is a very long time and although it probably won’t occur during my few remaining years on this earth, I know that it could occur, yet again.
My point however is this, during those actual 60 minutes of the football game, while in the moment, we get the opportunity to watch the struggle of two opposing teams, both of who want success, duke it out on the gridiron, in real time. During those moments, whoever is the team that wants it more on that particular day usually walks away with the win. Just like you, I also hold those memories & yes, just like with you & me, especially for the participants, they are memories that truly do last a lifetime, irrespective of whether their season record was 10-2 or 2-10 by season’s end. For on that day, they had been victorious in their struggle.
Life is a lot like that. Many tend to discount their personal successes prefering rather to dwell on their failures or the times that, “life just dealt them a raw hand”. Too frickin bad, because that makes life a lot tougher on them than it has to be & already is. For me and for all the other Pitt fans out there that are optimists by comparison, I appreciate how a struggling team can pick themselves up after getting disappointed and can keep going, enjoying future victories and the flashes of success that occur when afforded them the opportunity, because they kept on striving for it.
The most recent game that Pitt played, in essence was their bowl game, they entered that game against Miami coming off a humiliating loss to VT. A game that they let victory slip thru their fingers with one quick look back by a WR that should have been concentrating on nothing beyond diving across the goal line for the winning TD. That score denied them by video review, was followed by an offensive failure that was unable to gain 54 inches in four plays in order to still win the game. I was there in person with my Son, once again to witness live the Panthers ripping my heart out in defeat.
That very same 4-7 team showed up the next week against the mighty Miami Hurricaines at home, a mighty team riding a wave of undefeated momentum in their quest to be included in the National Championship playoff picture, and on that particular day, the Pitt Panthers, starting a true Freshman QB for the very first time, grabbed those guys from Miami firmly by the jersey and punched them square in the face, all,,, game,,,, long!!!!! It was glorious!
Not calling anybody out here on the POV, but considering how many times I’ve had to read about the failures of Pitt in their recent past bowl game loses and how they have affected the moral, recruiting, fan interest, etc. around the program, I find it oddly strange how now, so little kudos have been given to that enormous feat of soundly beating the #2 undefeated team in the country on that glorious sunny afternoon at Heinz Field that ended Pitt’s season last year. For me, those are the kinds of memories that are worth dwelling on. Just IMO.
Hail to Pitt! Beat penn state!
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Dr T,
You should have submitted that as an article…
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LOL
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Great story! We have some things in common as I have been a pedo state hater longer than I have been a pitt fan. But it is because of growing up in central Pennsylvania for me.
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Great points Dr Tom. Instead of kudos all PITT got was Miami actually stunk so nothing to see there. You know, from the “PITT fans” that continually cry SOP.
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Go figure Ike.
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Not from me you didn’t.
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Yep, and I was chastised for commenting on how many “downbeaters” have been posting to this blog since the June 16th, 2016 start date. I understand being realistic on any analysis but many are just so downright angry IMO about Pitt athletics to post anything that might be even considered positive.
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Yes and ain’t semi-free speech great!
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Reed, my guess for the article with the most posts would be our 2016 win over PSU?
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No
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Losses usually have the most posts. I guessed the loss to the pedos.
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OK Mark the Good, you just stole my guess. Reminded that I read at the time that psu was no longer a rivalry for PITT.
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I ate crow there, Ike.
However it appears that both Pitt and Penn State don’t see there’s a rivalry any longer either cuz we’re not to be playing again till 2030.
Heather lyke anf her predecessors could have gotten a two-for-one deal and if Pitt would have taken that we be playing PSU all the time… but Pitt doesn’t want to so that rivalry game is pretty much dead.
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Believe it or not it was kind of an unusual game where we got the most comments. And the fact that we did shows me that what is said on here sometimes isn’t exactly how people think.
It was the North Carolina game this last season where we lost 34-31 to them. We had 950 comments on that article alone and if you go back and read it it’s pretty upsetting…
Pitt fans were really angry about that whole thing, and the way the season was going to that point.
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Honestly the UNC game was my second choice. My thought process was the time of the game more than anything. Mike’s article received a lot of comments recently.
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Jeff Goodman
Verified account
@GoodmanESPN
Parker Stewart
Pittsburgh transfer Parker Stewart commits to UT Martin – where he will play for his father, Anthony Stewart
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That’s a drop from the MAC…
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Florida state does have some athletes. I see why they are ranked so high. Pitt is hanging in there though.
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Scoreless. Top of 4th
If Pitt wins they get auto bid to tourney. If lose, will be tough. RPI is 48. Pitt is Hitless so far.
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Pitt up three to zero
Florida state imploding with bad defense
Runners in corners
One out
Pitcher change
Do you believe in miracles
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3-0 pitt top of the 6th. 1 out runners on 1st and 3rd. Pitt having a great inning
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4-0
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Florida state has won last four ACC titles. Five straight playing in. If Pitt wins, that trophy needs to be presented at Heinz and south side. These girls are champions. Our football boys are chumps. Football could learn from what it’s like to be a champion. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Game not over yet. But winning is contagious. It helps change the culture. I credit some lightening in the bottle but also the facilities and better recruits. Pitts coach has been around for long time.
Tex
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The ump is screwing Pitt big time on the strike zone.
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4-1 going into the last inning. Pitt needs three more outs and they are ACC champions.
Go Pitt!
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Will this be Pitts first ACC championship of any kind?
Didn’t volleyball win one
Women again
Our men suck
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When Pitt does beat a highly ranked opponent, it shows me they had the ability, the coaching, and the pieces to have had a great season.
While I understand there is a lot more to a football game than just one team, Pitt’s wins against top 10 teams is why I go into every season believing that they can go undefeated.
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Good point
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I guess the women also know how to Pitt just like the men
Should have pulled the pitcher
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Well that sucked. Looked like a pop fly
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SOP
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FL ST with a 2 out walk off HR to break Pitt’s heart.
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SOP doesn’t get to the championship game. The girls played great!
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The misery of being a Pitt fan
Just shoot me
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We are Pitt fans. We know well how to take hartbreaking loses. This one ranks right up there for our softball team. Hats off to FSU. They’re building an ACC dynasty.
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Baseball choked another one 11 and 15 over on the ACC soon to be 1119 with Clemson coming to town. Are you awake Heather? You guys can’t Be serious softball choked away the win?
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Any word on the Lady Panthers?
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So sad 😦
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Pitt doesn’t know how to win
The pitcher should have been pulled an inning ago
Brilliant decision by the ACC coach of the year.
The girls can now practice their golf game
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A northern school with no history makes it to the ACC final and has the five time defending champs, 6th ranked team in the nation on the ropes. A two out three run homer beats them in crushing fashion but we should be nothing but proud of what they did. First tome I have ever watched a college softball game start to finish and while the end was a kick in the groin I truly enjoyed it. Great job girls.
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It wasn’t a kick in the groin if you are an FSU fan. That finish ranks up there with the 1960 Pirates World Series ending. If you saw that script written up in a screenplay it would be too sappy to be believable. Why Pitt had to be cast as the loser however, is my question?
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Everyone – I’d be delighted if Pitt football lost a close one in the ACC championship. Disappointed, but delighted to get that far. Just saying. – Hobie
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PS. Or Pitt basketball, or Pitt anything. – Hobie
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Too bad the girls didn’t win
It was an entertaining game
But this game does go down in the annals as one of the worst pitting moments ever
Pitt does need a winning culture created by winning
I was really hoping Pitt could break through
Is there some curse on Pitt?
Tex
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As someone who pitched from Little League thru Semiproball in the Federated League, our girls learned a hard lesson. Anyone that’s ever pitched has had that happen.
A damn shame! Nothing is ever easy for Pitt sports. The curse of SOP.
Great job girls to get as far as you did! And thank you from this alum.
H2P. Get em next time!!
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Congratulations to the PITT girls softball team. There’s no one blame for a successful season only high fives.
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The pitcher for PITT today threw somewhere near 140 pitches in only seven innings. I get the fact that throwing underarm is easier on the elbow and shoulder but considering a closer in MLB is only allowed to throw 20 pitches and panic sets in.
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Pitcher should have been pulled. That’s on our ACC coach of the year. Inexcusable.
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and why wasn’t the pitcher replaced? What do you know about that team Mr expert? All the experts coming out of the wood work that quite frankly do no have a clue. Unless it can proved otherwise. ike
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Most I ever threw was 82 pitches and I thought my arm would fall off.
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Dan, they say that throwing underarm is a more natural motion but that is a lot of pitches. I defer to the coach that the next pitcher available gave PITT a less of a chance to win that game.
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If you’re correct on count, pitcher should have been pulled. Pitt does have a bullpen don’t they? That’s a coaching decision. Ironic that she’s the ACC coach of the year. Coaching lost Pitt the game.
Tex
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Tx you know how I respect you and on face value you seem correct and with my past experiences that makes sense. Yet after watching most of that game I still can’t tell you the starting pitchers name. Nor could I tell you who or if they had a available pitcher on deck there. I think you get my drift. The coach wasn’t trying to lose the game as far as I know and as it does disappoint me that the PITT woman’s team lost, I’ll save any backlash from those who are offended by my comments for another debate.. your buddy ike.
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Just burns me when Florida state took theirs out three innings ago and pitt left theirs in. The Florida state coach has been coach of year five times. It showed.
Pitts starter should have been pulled. They had a reliever that was rested. Sucks that coaching decides the game. The women deserved the win.
Pitting is the result of not knowing how to win. That’s mainly on the coaches. My solution is to bring in winners and have them talk with the kids and coaches. Winning is a mindset, attitude, a certain way of doing things. Bring in Crosby, and others who know what it takes.
I don’t want pitt to be the Cleveland of the sports world.
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OK, what did I write here just the other day when someone mentioned that UPitt wasn’t commenting? I wrote wait until our women’s softball or men’s baseball team loses. And lo and behold!
and some here consider that as reality. wwb
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You really need to get a life. I worked 85 hours last week. Maybe you should try it. Go to the golf outing pappy.
Softball Coach blew it. Doesn’t take a genius to go the pen especially with walks all over the place.
Baseball will end up choking and miss playoffs all while you want to crown Jordano for going 10 games under .500.
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Mark, I’m thinking I should make it to the golf outing. It will be great to meet you.. ike
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Excited to meet you as well!!
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If Coach Aprile did not feel Sarah Dawson was ready after the previous two outings (one a complete game shutout), then she was wise in leaving Kayla Harris in. The other pitcher could have done well, but putting Rahach in would not have been an example of good coaching.
Now, due to the result, it is arguable that Dawson should have been put in.
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As far as softball I had know clue they were playing in the ACC Championship. To think my posts are tightly followed by softball is comical. If I posted everytime baseball lost I’d be more frequent of a poster. Heather???????
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It is reality! Upittbaseball is “really” that negative.
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Go pull a bicuspid and rape an honest man with your $700 bill for 5 mins of work.
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Glad I missed the latest…….Agony of Defeat
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Speaking of which… my left ankle has been bothering me. oh the agony of my feet……… and now onto two man bobsledding.
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If you coached girls fast pitch you’d know that while that was a lot of pitches it’s not that unusual. Thin teams, such as Pitt, usually have one stud then a big drop off. Powerhouses like FSU ha e a couple at least. Girls game is all about P,C, and 3b. They did really,really well to get to that point.
They lose the pitcher, I think, so next year could be tough. Ump did squeeze the plate, which is where our kid lives, but was pretty consistent both ways. It would be nice for the men’s teams to have the same success as women’s SB and VB.
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I’m guessing the ACC didn’t want a long shot sleeper team going to the Nationals when they have a really good FSU team to send.
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If Coach Aprile did not feel Sarah Dawson was ready after the previous two outings (one a complete game shutout), then she was wise in leaving Kayla Harris in. The other pitcher could have done well of course, but putting Rahach in would not have been an example of good coaching due to the drop off you mentioned.
Now, due to the result, it is arguable that Dawson should have been put in.
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Pitch counts in softball are irrelevant as the arm motion is way different and way less violent and taxing. Watching the game I too thought maybe we should bring someone else in after the 6th but as Ike put perfectly I have no idea if we have anyone better as I did not know one player before the weekend! As for SOP comments for those that don’t know Pitt hit a walk off grand slam in the quarterfinals against lower seeded Va Tech, basically they did exactly what happened to them two days ago. They were massive underdogs today and lost in dramatic fashion. I’m bummed but proud.
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When you’re in the championship game, on national TV and have a 4 run lead but then blow it with two outs in the 9th, that’s a major choke job to me. The essence of Pitting. The epitome of SOP.
Much like the Falcons against the Patriots. It comes down to knowing what it takes to win. Pitt only won 7 ACC games last year. This year was 16. But they didn’t have the winning mindset. That takes winning over many years. So yes we can be proud of what they accomplished. Better than any men’s team thus far. But it doesn’t erase the bitterness.
If you watched the game, you would see the velocity and control were becoming an issue in the 5th. I’m very surprised they keep the starter in. Must have no faith in the bullpen. I’d like to hear why coach didn’t go to the pen. To me this loss is on her. The Seminoles grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat.
Damn can this school win at anything? What will it take to get pitt sports over the hump and stay there. Again, I’m thinking bring in people who know what it takes to win. Got to shed this loser mentality. Hate to say it but close only cuts it in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Tex
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If Coach Aprile did not feel Sarah Dawson was ready after the previous two outings (one a complete game shutout), then she was wise in leaving Kayla Harris in. Coach Aprile does have faith in Dawson. The other pitcher is not particularly trusted and the fourth pitcher seems to be injured still. The third and uninjured pitcher of course could have done well, but it would not have been good coaching to put her in.
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Thanks as that is what I have been saying. That’s a lot of pitches but the the underhand motion doesn’t have the same torque on the elbow or shoulder as throwing overhand. I’m guessing the next pitcher up may not have been the best option her. Yet I do concede, I don’t really know that much about it although my daughter did pitch a bit on her high school team.
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The young ladies overachieved and represented their school way beyond expectations and with class all the way. It really does make me chuckle when someone uses the silly phrase of SOP describing this years girls softball team. Hello…….
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Va Tech game last year
NC game the year before
This game today and in a real meaningful game. A chance for a trophy. A auto bid to the NCAA tourney
Pitt practically lays over at games end and bestowed victory on the other team
How is it not pitting or sop
When we win in a championship game, the curse will be lifted. We haven’t done it in any sports programs since ACC entry. Correct me if I’m wrong. Wrestling won 4 years ago in a six team league but no tourney. Volleyball won this year but again I don’t think they played a tourney. Eventually lost to penn state in second round.
For Christ sake, bring in Tom Brady and have him speak on what it takes to be the goat. Bring in pat Riley. Bring in anyone that knows how to win and what it takes. A winning mindset can be taught.
Ike you think that va Tech game was bad for them when they lost as a huge underdog versus Pitt. Just think what this game did. Pitt wasn’t a huge underdog. Pitt was the team that broke states 37 game ACC win streak. This was in the championship game. On national TV. It will be on espn tonight for all of he nation to see. What a brutal way to lose.
Why didn’t Pitt go to the pen. I hope the media asks that question. Pisses me off when coaching decides the game. Girls deserved better.
Tex
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Hey Tex, my point is I don’t know why the ACC coach of the year didn’t go to the bullpen. Do you know why? If we are wishing in one hand I wish PITT would have pulled off a triple play to win the game but they didn’t. Why didn’t the coach call for that play?
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That’s why I want to hear from the coach. What the hell was she thinking. I saw the need in the 5th. I can’t believe they didn’t have faith in at least one gal from their pen to pitch just one inning. Coaching in this game was Wanny like.
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If Sarah Dawson was not ready to pitch (she probably was ready), it was absolutely right for Coach Aprile to not go to the bullpen. Due to the result, it is justifiable to ponder why Dawson was not called upon…but Dawson had just pitched a complete game shutout the previous day and featured prominently in the first game as well.
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Media??? You think there was a press conference? Reporters from around the nation descended on Georgia Tech’s campus for the ACC softball championship? This result will get a write up on any national website? That is funny. Any casual viewer tuning in would only think wow unranked Pitt almost beat number 6 they must be pretty good. It’s only us who somehow think that this loss has some connection to football losing to Cincy in 09. Nonsense. Most of the time winning is done by the better team.
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I will see on espn tonight that with two outs in the ninth a Pitt team lost in dramatic choking fashion. And so will the rest of the nation.
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^^Sorry Mr Anonymous and no disrespect intended but your comment shows how the hell little you know about what you are attempting to talk about.
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To lose that way is gut wrenching!!! For some reason I really took the L much harder than I thought I would.
BUT, it was still great to see the Pitt Script on national tv – it made me proud!
BUT it also hurt when the announcers proclaimed that Pitt has never won ANYTHIING championship wise in the ACC.
Oi Vey! :<(
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And double Oi Vey! – Hobie
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I kept wondering why this championship comment is made since that is not exactly true…but then I realize that PITT has never won an ACC tournament championship.
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A side note I found interesting. Went to my email mid afternoon and found 14 unanswered messages, weird because I check earlier in the day. I’m figuring did I miss the start of world war 3 or what? Nope, all my buds were emailing wanting to know what the heck was going on with the PITT women’s softball game. Back and forth they went hanging on every pitch. When the game was lost on the last pitch disappointment rained down. The beautiful part of this story is there wasn’t one bit of second guessing or silly old references about same old PITT. We were all happy and proud of those young ladies. How refreshing I thought. btw, all the emails were from our fellow POV’er’s. So I thank Reed for bringing me together with such true and great PITT fans who are…… simply true and great PITT fans. I want these people on my team when I get down by a run or two . . . . ike
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I want the girl that hit the walk off HR on my team. She swung for the fence and got it.
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Just a guess, but if April had a better option, she would have used it.
You do realize that FlSt is the Yankees of the ACC.
Our girls mightily overachieved.
As was said above, not sure what the strike zone was for that impire, but several pitches looked like strikes to me.
Feel bad for the girls, but they should hold their heads up high.
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They over achieved for the season. But they did split with Florida state and were ranked number two going in. So getting to the championship was expected. Losing in this way was not. I would have preferred a blow out loss over choking.
And I agree that ump didn’t have a strike zone but at least he was calling it consistently…wrong for both teams.
Would have been nice for pitt to have some iggles magic. Always a good day for the entire nation when the Yankees or patriots lose.
And screw the announcers but they are right. Zero championships of any kind for Pitt in their 19 programs over the past 7 years in the ACC.
I’m serious call Tom Brady.
Tex
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Webb Simpson is putting on a clinic.
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Hey EE, the girl that hit the home-run gave up two passed balls for runs. They giveth and then taketh away.
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Guys…softball is not baseball. In women’s softball you ride the pitcher. Most teams carry only two.
Keeping her in was the best option. It just did not work out. You could see her getting behind in the count. FLA St is the Yankees of softball. Just a shame…..what is it idiot Ron Cooke said about the Pens loss….” they’ll take it to their graves!”
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Due to the result and armchair managing, of course it may have been profitable to put Sarah Dawson in. The Panthers do have a third option, but putting her in would not have been good coaching. Sarah Dawson probably was ready if called upon, but just came off a complete game shutout the day before (and pitched a prominent amount the day before that).
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Ike,
I’m happy when Pitt sports wins division titles or gets entry to the national tourney in any sport.
But and there is a huge but. Pitt has gone something like zero for 130 in ACC championships since entry. There are no trophies of any kind in the pitt case across 19 programs.
Whereas penn state has gone on to win something like 21 national titles across their programs in the same period. And even more big ten championships.
So is Pitt really serious about winning anything and do they have what it takes to establish that culture and mindset. Because I can’t believe Pitt is cursed and destined to lose.
And second place to me is nothing better than a participation trophy. Until you think that, you are destined to never win.
Tex
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I didn’t watch the game. What I did read was all of you suffering in your own way, for and with the girls softball team and I wish it was different for you.
What I did read was that the announcers openly mocked Pitt Athletics and their putrid record in the ACC over 7 years. What I did read is that we didn’t have a closer or another pitcher qualified to pick up the torch from our starting pitcher.
What I didn’t read was that our Administration supports womens softball and allows them to recruit quality players that can be relied upon to pick up the torch of our starter when she has trouble. If we are too thin, fix it. Recruit better.
What I did read is that Pitt will most likely be on the sportscenter top10 plays of the day…and the week, by giving up a walk off homerun. Does anyone get sick of Pitt lowlights being on espn? How many times was our football team highlighted during the nfl draft as the team the other player beat! We have made multi-millionaires out of so many college players just by showing their highlights against us.
When you run sports programs without proper financial support, you get close, but can’t close. Great season by the women!!!! Another poor season by the Administration. “If we only would have allowed the staff to go fet and ace stopper”. Our AD has been here over a year and still nothing, like the announcers stated. 19 programs, 14 months and 0 titles in anything. We are in the second season of sports under the new Administration. I think there is progress, but I am really not sure. Maybe its the frustration of reading all the anguish you all felt while following the game, pitch by agonizing pitch! Sorry Guys!
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I watched every pitch. I don’t feel the announcers openly mocked Pitt at all. They noted no ACC tournament titles but big deal we have been in the league what 5 years? How many sports even have tourneys. How many tournament titles did we win in 30 big east years? 5? 10? I know of two basketball ones cause the truth is NOBODY cares about any others. Acting like if we were champs every year in diving would make up for football and hoops is silly. For the record Pitt softball was ACC coastal champs. Volleyball was ACC champs, that is two trophies going in the case this year!
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Oh and if you watched you would have seen the talent disparity. Florida St threatened EVERY inning yet Pitt battled and worked out of it. Not once were they retired in order. We were hitless in 5 out of 7 innings. Both there pitchers were way scarier than ours in velocity. We scored 4 runs on effort, errors and luck. They literally imploded in the 6th and almost handed Pitt the game. If Pitt had won it would be Florida St saying how did we lose to those guys. (And people here would likely say we got lucky!)
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+1
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Huff the third, you left out the part where PITT lost the ACC championship game. That’s nothing to be ashamed of or have a hollow feeling of being inept in any way. I could be wrong but that is most likely an unprecedented achievement. baby steps yes but forward movement for sure. What the young ladies accomplished shouldn’t be diminished despite some comments from a couple hack announcers being unprofessional, right? .. imo… ike
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PITT made it to the championship game in 2015 as well. They lost then to FSU (who has won five ACC Championships in a row). That game in 2015 was lost 6-2.
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Is the POV now on an endless loop?
And some of the posts on the endless loop are funny – in a sad way.
Go Pitt!
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Interesting and thanks “was up”.. I do confess again that I don’t know much about PITT softball but it was fun to watch and root for them. I also learned during the game the other pitcher (Dawson) could have been available and kind of thought she may not be an option due to having pitched the day before. I’m not trying to be difficult to some on here as I can’t say what the coaching thought process was today. I only asked the few who question the decisions how much they actually know about the situation. It really is amazing how many girl softball experts emerged in just one day… ike
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Hey M&M I hear ya but I guess the other option is dead air………………………………………… You going up to the golf outing?
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ike – you are welcome. I think I have commented on about four previous threads, but with the amount I posted here regarding the game it would seem I myself just arrived as one of those girl softball experts just today. And even worse, I did not watch the game (my fault for treating it like an ACC Network extra broadcast I could access at anytime via replay like the rest of the tournament instead of watching it live).
I guess I should write something tied to the original post. so….
Mark T. Thanks for the post. My story would not be that similar, but a prominent similarity is that I was on campus as a student from 1999-2003. The “cool” thing about attending then is that a student could attend games at PITT stadium, Three Rivers Stadium, and Heinz Field. You also were able to enjoy PITT bball at both the Fieldhouse and then the Pete. I remember the hype unfolding during the initial tournament run under Ben Howland during Spring Break. It might be a slight memory reconstruction, but that led into the season when the Oakland Zoo was birthed.
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ike — yes, I will be at the POV golf outing. Look forward to seeing you and other legendary POVers there…
Also going to the Pitt Alumni Golf event next Saturday. In that one, somehow I get to golf with awesome Pitt fans and POV legends lastrow, Erie Express and Richman. How lucky can an old geezer get?
Go Pitt!
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Actually Major I’m also a lucky old geezer in that foursome…
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I’m not sure this softball loss made the ESPN top ten, but I pulled this video from ESPN latest 30 –
http://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/23482703/categoryid/2378529
This FSUx batter (#13) had two errors the previous inning that cost the criminals 2 unearned runs. She had nothing to lose by swinging for the fence and everything to gain (ACC championship, erase the two errors from everyone’s memory, zero to hero, you name it, she claimed it).
The worst part of this loss is that the Pitt team moved directly from automatic bid to the NCAA tournament with the ACC championship to a team on the bubble and a high probability of not getting an at-large bid.
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Are people really bitching about a team that won a division championship and made the tournament finals?
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Dr. Tom. Great write up above.
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To Annie and ALL of our moms who are part of the POV:
HAPPY MOTHERS
DAY!!!!
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Golf Outing Info posted in new article – I will do a podcast this evening. Am baby sitting my son’s house as some asswipe tried to kick his front door in…so working on the new security door today…
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Did I start a trend with these Bio Articles? I hope so because these are great. It really adds to the overall “feel” of the site in that we are real Pitt people with varying ways that we became Pitt fans. Keep it up guys and gals. Sorry I didn’t comment earlier in this string but I was up at my cabin in PSU territory.
H2P
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