We have Johnny Majors to thank.

Or maybe to blame.

He invented the Pitt script as we know it today.

And if he had never decided to use it, it would never have been taken away.

I’m stealing this from Reed, who borrowed it from the New York Times.

When Majors arrived on campus from Iowa State, taking over a team that had won only one of 11 games the year before, he decided to give the program a makeover in every way. He put together a real weight room, but he also wanted his team to look good on Saturdays.

“I looked at their uniforms, and I thought they were pretty dull,” Majors said.

So Majors redesigned them. The school colors are old gold and navy blue, but Majors decided that a mustard yellow and royal blue looked sharper — in part because Pitt would not resemble the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as much.

He added double “Northwestern stripes” (one wide stripe bordered by two thinner stripes) to the jerseys and a thick blue stripe, a nod to the N.F.L.’s Pittsburgh Steelers, to the pants. He wanted a helmet insignia that stood out in newspaper photos, on television and on magazine covers. Majors dreamed big from the start.  Majors liked the “Ucla” script insignia on U.C.L.A.’s helmets. So he told an artist whose name he cannot remember, to draw something similar for Pitt.

pittscript-300x198

 

Of course former Pitt Athletic Director “smiling” Steve Pederson undid it all after he fired Majors in 1996, and replaced the Script with the now-infamous “Dinocat”.

Dinocat

 

To add insult to injury Pederson backed it up with the slightly-less-infamous and yet equally embarrassing “Wet seal”, also sometimes referred to as “Otterdog”

Pitt Seal

The Otterdog fortunately never made it onto any team apparel, and the Dinocat was mercifully put down during the Dave Wanstdadt era.  Pitt then moved to the safer and more conservative block Pitt logo.

Pitt Block Letter

Then in 2016 the administration finally came to its senses and brought back the script.  There were some subtle differences between the old and the new, but overall this was widely regarded as a very good move, even if we did keep the “Notre Dame” color scheme of navy blue and gold.

pittscriptnew-300x163
New
pittscript-300x198
Old

Pitt then took things a step further and introduced “retro” uniforms, which were worn on a part time basis.  Even through the colors weren’t quite the same as the mustard yellow and blue of the glory days, they clearly were a step in the right direction.

Today, Pitt will unveil yet another iteration of its logo across all 19 sports programs.

The Reveal, as it’s being billed, is kind of a big deal.  It’s scheduled for 4 p.m. today at the  “Bigelow Bash” (which ostensibly is some kind of party from 1 – 6 p.m on Bigelow Boulevard.  Kids these days!).  And…this “Reveal” is the culmination of many years of work from the Nike Corporation.

It’s widely expected that Pitt will make some form of their current retros permanent, and probably add some small tweaks to the uniforms.  This would be both a popular and sensible thing to do.

So really, until the reveal happens, I have only one thing to say “Hey Pitt, don’t screw this up”

Editor’s note:  I wrote this yesterday and today it looks like there are leaked logo images on social media.  Rumor has it that the Panther head is the secondary logo and it was inspired by the Panther Fountain at the Cathedral of learning.  It would be a major blunder if Pitt replaced the script with this new cartoon panther head as their primary logo on helmets, basketball uniforms etc, and so hopefully they (and the people at Nike) are smart enough to realize this.  The unveil is at 4 p.m. EST so lets see if they get it right.

 

Pitt Fountain
Inspiration
new panther hat
Execution
Picture1
Putting things in Perspective

Michaelangelo Monteleone

 

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

257 thoughts on “A Logo Retrospective”

  2. things are looking up. And see what happens when you get an early commit? I just got done with a long walk in an nearby park, and for the first time when I moved to Cranberry last summer, I saw more Pitt apparel than PSU (3 to 2).

    Like

  4. familiar headline today in Pennlive … Penn State O-line recruit Grant Toutant picks up a 4th star from 247Sports

    Like

  5. cross the Ts and then you dot the I. Pitt’s band first performed on the field at the Pitt-Ohio Northern game on October 14, 1911 at Forbes Field.

    The University of Pittsburgh used William Pitt’s signature as a logo as far back as the 1920s and it even appeared on the women’s basketball team’s uniforms.

    Liked by 1 person

        1. Fair enough…I’ve updated the copy. I appreciate your keen attention to detail, sir.

          Like

  6. Keep an eye out for a Richman photo bomb with the PITT cheerleaders at the reveal. He would be the guy smiling from ear to ear. << with his infamous belt-buckle. I hope that will be his belt buckle.

    Liked by 4 people

  8. Thanks Mike for the article. How bout a little Poll? How many are going to be happy, pissed off or indifferent about the “BIG REVEAL”?

    Color me pfft.

    Like

  9. I think Heather will get this right. It will be awesome.

    …and the whiners will whine.

    By the way, the panther head is the secondary.

    Like

  17. I’m happy enough. Can’t tell if the colors darkened or changed from last years retros though?

    Like

  19. My cousin, another alum and longtime season ticket holder summed it up perfectly. He said, “Ehh…. I’ve seen us do worse.”

    That should be our new slogan.

    “Pitt Athletics- Ehh…. I’ve seen us do worse.”

    Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

    Liked by 4 people

  20. Response on Twitter is overwhelmingly positive.

    H2P
    script Panthers
    script P
    script Pitt
    Panther logo

    Covers all the bases.

    Like

  22. Pitt Athletics 2018-2019

    Team/Record/Final Ranking

    Baseball 8-21
    Basketball (M) 14-19
    Basketball (W) 11-20
    Football 7-7
    Gymnastics 9-19
    Soccer (M) 8-10-1
    Soccer (W) 4-12-1
    Softball 6-32
    Swimming (M) 5-6
    Swimming (W) 8-6
    Tennis 4-13
    Volleyball 30-2 #14
    Wrestling 13-3 #16

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Heathers hires are starting slowly with the exception of wrestling although this is Year 2 for the coach. His first year wasnt very good much like baseball and softball.

      What about track?

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      1. that team supported by Pitt which competes without a track or a field
        another genius decision brought to you by Cornhole
        how can a school take sports seriously having forsaken facilities for its track team
        how can I take football seriously when Pitt plays in a rental off campus

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      2. Pitt does not list W/L recorsds for Track & Field or Cross Country (per Pittsburgh Panthers.com).

        But, after looking into the results.. they’re not great.

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        1. This is probably the soft bigotry of low expectations, but 8-10-1 for men’s soccer isn’t bad considering the level of competition in the ACC, Pitt’s (woeful) historical performance in the sport, and the modest level of local talent.

          Wrestling and volleyball are the standard bearers, performance-wise. I hope Pitt can keep the volleyball coach long enough to establish the program as a perennial Top 20 team that can survive a leadership transition.

          Outside of that and maybe women’s swimming, it takes a lot of hope and projection to feel good about this.

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          1. Football closer than many think. Or a disaster waiting to self-implode…depending on your POV

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        1. The thing about the written word is that you lose 90% of the meaning. It was written sarcastically

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          1. If meant sarcastically, there are literally thousands of emojis,gifs, memes, etc. to convey that. Or, just post (said sarcastically).”

            That would easily eliminate any confusion.

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        2. Would be interesting to go back yoy and see if we improve

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  23. Yes I’m cool with the new look unis. I think they did move away a bit from what Bernie has called WVU Yellow.

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  24. Couple notes today:

    Yes Jim, the new logo reminds me of a Gargoyle as well. I think it could be considered one if it sat on top of the Cathedral of Learning? Good call.

    PITT and Heather could have done a lot worse, other AD’s sure did.

    The colors could have been a little darker but I’m not complaining.

    When PITT runs on the field from now on……………… You sure as hell will know who they are. No more who is that, Navy Georgia Tech, Notre Dame? IT’S PITT!

    Here’s a quote from PITT’s first commit Sam Williams: Good stuff

    “When you go to visit a college, you want to see if a program has a family type atmosphere and everyone loved each other and acted like a family,” said Williams. “All schools have nice facilities, nice training room and stuff like that. When I went to Pitt, I got to speak to Coach Partridge, Coach Narduzzi, Coach Karlo and they all showed me so much love. I knew right away they were nice genuine people and I really respected that. Another big thing was when Coach Partridge texted me before the visit and asked for my mom’s number because he wanted to introduce himself to her. I really, really respected that.” this year.”

    H2P! ike

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  25. Its the little details and finer things in recruiting

    As long as Pitt doesnt look like the Hoopies

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  28. Pitt baseball and softball teams lose again today. The baseball team was swept by a Duke team that started the weekend with a 3-9 ACC record vs Pitt’s stellar 2-10 record.

    Today Duke is 6-9 and Pitt is 2-13.

    Free -falling indeed…

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Applaud strategic business decision to create uniforms which are distinctly “Pitt”. As Ike stated college football fans across the country will know the University of Pittsburgh sports teams.

    Liked by 2 people

  30. I think the Panther head logo is pretty solid, personally. I give it a 9/10. The colors are fine. The only thing I’d nitpick is the font they used for the numbers is kinda lame. Just keep it simple with some block numbering; enough of this comic sans nonsense. Okay, old man rant over. Thanks to Nike for not doing something horrendous here, like they did with Oregon.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Jay… welcome back!!! UPitt get ur ass in here…

    Ya know guys and
    Annie.. that Panther Head looks like Bill Cosby had the Marino era Panther behind the woodpile.. sedated of course.. definitely a Cosby nose… ‘ eer yellar and if I eat enough of Reeds gummy bears the windows of the Cathedral are there for me to peek into… bitch.. bitch… bitch……..

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  32. I’m not back. Stopped in for a quick note on unis. Upitt and I will be playing the POV Open. Beyond that, I (and I believe he as well) are no longer posting. There’s no place for our “negativity”here.

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  34. Sounds like a group decision … don’t remember any poster asking anyone to leave… except for Reed banning 2 people … to each his own… good luck in the FRANKCAN TOURNAMENT….

    Liked by 2 people

  35. for the most part, everyone respects one another here. If you want division, comment on the Pantherlair (Rivals) forum. Thats brutal like a congressional hearing.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Would love to have you back Jay. Along with UPitt. This is a good forum for even ‘negative’ posters like me. I’m mocked when I post on Pantherlair. Talk about A-holes. And many hold degrees from Pitt. Reminds me of some Nitters I know. I just feel dirty after posting on that forum.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Sorry Jay. Wish you could have stayed longer. Ike’s done a nice job modulating his responses since I’ve been on board and he has been able to reign himself in when I or someone else points out that he goes overboard. I cannot speak for any prior behaviors of anyone else on the board because I wasn’t a moderator, and so as far as that is concerned it’s all in the past.

      Also I won’t stand for personal attacks in either direction, and so I’ve deleted two of your posts. I would do the same if another poster told you, “screw you”.

      I am running a forum where people can disagree in a civilized way and still be fans on all ends of the spectrum. That’s what it’s been since I took over and I’m sure that’s what it will be when I hand it back to Reed in a week.

      Liked by 2 people

  40. —I really like the shade of blue; not crazy about the yellow. But making Pitt’s uniforms distinctive, especially since we play ND, GT, and 0ccasionally Navy, is a solid move by Pitt.

    —Did anyone watch the video of Weaver Mic’d Up? I must say that the few glimpses of our tackles trying to block Weaver scared the heck out of me.

    —Jay91, there’s negativity on here, and plenty of room for more… Same goes for positivity, pragmatism, realism, ike-ology, etc. 😊. (And good luck at the POV Golf Outing.)

    Go Pitt.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yea that mic’d up session is good. Except the part about our o-line. But that’s because weaver is so good, right?

      Like

        1. Just having some fun with our friend jay. I know that if we were both at a putt game and Pitt was beating the snot out of say, the Nittany Lions, we’d be on the same side

          Liked by 1 person

          1. “our friend”? I’m certainly no friend of someone who has threatened me and I don’t know you, Teeenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

            You going to delete that,as well?

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            1. Lol…have not threatened you, and so will let this stand. Thanks so much Jay. Hail to Pitt

              Like

    1. Yes, I agree. The avoided the obvious missteps (ie the kept the script front and center and kept the retro colors). They also I think have a great story around the rest of the design cues. The uni’s do what was promised. Honor the past, look to the future. Well done Pitt!

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Also we have a man on the inside that told us that it was all very well received by the fans at the event

      Liked by 1 person

  44. You guys all know that I was there. It was awesome. I got to meet Narduzzi, EJ Borgetti, Pat Bostic, and others. Let’s just realize this is a step in the right direction, the administration is listening to you and that is a huge deal. There was a ton of students hanging around, on the lawn, at the event, and yes there was even a line to get into the store. Momentum is building, as Jeff Capel said , “Pitt is a sleeping giant”. Heather is slapping the giant upside the head and it is waking up. H2P.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. I think I need to add a WordPress plugin that will enable users to more easily post pics. But…I kind of don’t know what I’m doing and I don’t want to screw up the site by accident…and so we will remain stuck in 1996.

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      1. One can tweet a photo and then copy a link to it in a post. It works but is a P.I.T.A vs a direct paste. I say try the plug-in.

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  47. Colors great. Maybe more definition of Pitt script (letters run together) when on blue helmets. Golden panther logo scary but ….

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  48. I think the AD did a really nice job in getting Nike to take on the assignment of branding Pitt Athletics. I really like the color scheme an some of the details on the game unis.

    Nice touch with getting T-Pain in for the kids. Looked like they really enjoyed from some of the video I’ve seen,

    Liked by 1 person

  49. Not quite the hoopie yeller but our colors almost match the Chiquita Banana sticker.
    I tried to post it but failed.

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  50. Post the picture I meant…
    Thanks to our Hollywood Insider RICHMAN. Nice job buddy.
    I know the colors will win me over when I see them “live” on some gear at the Spring game.
    I think Heather hit a home run…
    H2P

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  51. OK so nice reveal but wasn’t there another scrimmage with no report, no articles in the paper about who did what. In other words, no publicity. I just don’t get it. Weaver micc’ed up is a nice piece, but missing a big opportunity to get articles in the paper which might lead to more butts in those empty yellow seats. A slick video might be seen by those that are looking for it, but the average sports fan, not so much.

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    1. You will get a recap by Narduzzi today on Saturday’s practice(or scrimmage) when he addresses the press.

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      1. They were hyping carter a lot in a couple of videos that were released and also some pictures.

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        1. Which has me puzzled about how the other more experienced RB are doing — or not doing.

          I have hopes for Sibley in the “power back” role. He’s got some seriously big legs on him…

          Go Pitt.

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          1. Isn’t he also like 5’9”? James Conner was 6’3” 235. Ollison was a similar size. Sibley is 5’9”, 220. Think about that for a minute

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            1. I don’t know this, but it just seems to me that the more compact RB — within reason — may be tougher to tackle.

              A 6’3” guy has more limbs and surface area to grab onto…

              Go Pitt.

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              1. Oh no I agree. 5’9” 220 is like a bowling ball. Inch for inch more mass than JC or QO.

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  52. It does appear that Pitt is doing much better at getting kids to come for on-campus visits. While almost exclusively three stars they are kids with multiple offers from P-5 schools. This looks to be a very positive development in that they are focusing on kids that may actually come, and not elite four stars that have no interest. If you can’t get a kid to take a visit, why waste valuable time. Maybe they are learning.

    Liked by 1 person

  53. Partridge, Beasley, Collins and company are hitting their strides now that have been with the team for a few years with Beasley being the one exception but he has deep roots along the upper east coast. It takes awhile to make inroads when you switch teams. Agreeing with gc, recruiting is looking slightly upwards. But, are they going after too many players that the big boys want? . . . ..ike

    Liked by 1 person

  54. You can find photos from the Pitt new-unis fashion show at PSN or on Pitt’s site.

    I must say that some of the student-athlete models look quite — I’ll say “fetching” — in the new threads. ( I can see now why a certain POVer made it a point to be in the house. )

    In particular, might we pick up some new fans for the women’s gymnastics team?? 😊

    Go Pitt!

    Liked by 1 person

  55. LOL John, I think Richman’s screen name should be Waldo. Where’s Waldo? I say find the cheer-leading squad and you’ll find Waldo the Richman.

    Liked by 1 person

  57. Ulizio will unseat Carter at LT if past practices are indicators of future results. If Carter and Ulizio are close in talent, you have to go with Carter. Thinking Ulizio and BorbandDuzz gave each other the big wink before committing.

    I don’t like this practice at all. For me, and again, if it is a close competition, Carter has to get the nod.

    If it’s not close, than fine, it was a recruiting mistake with Carter and we need to upgrade recruiting.

    You guys are really over the top happy for some reason. Emphasis on “over the top”. It’s great they changed uniforms, but to me that was not a heavy lift. The only thing that took was a couple of ears!

    Offering a bunch of 4 stars is irrelevant if they don’t consider Pitt. Personally, I like the size of the new commit, but is this another example of a 5.5 rating with only one P5 offer which was from Syracuse? Not being a downer, just balancing the rest of the story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. —How about if the grad transfer and Warren are equals, play one a couple series and then the other a couple series until they show that one is more effective.

      —On our first commit- while he sounds all in — keep in mind that we have had a tendency lately to lose early commits when they get other offers.

      So it’s like Pitt can’t win — they like the kid and offer early, the kid commits, and now Pitt will be criticized because the kid only had two other offers…

      I think deciding who is a four star vs. three star is a lot easier than differentiating a 5.5 from a 5.6 from a 5.7…

      I also suspect the coaches check out these guys much more thoroughly than the Rivals evaluators when it comes to making a commitable offer… Each spot in an incoming class is pretty precious, regardless of the school…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

      1. If you look at the new commit’s film he has four star athleticism and speed but just really skinny for a DE. If they can put 30-40 lbs on him and he develops technique watch out

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        1. Makes me wonder how old he is.

          He’ll likely grow quite a bit in the next two years…

          Go Pitt.

          Like

    2. Huff the Third, you make another great point but remember a couple things. Carter Warren was a 4* recruit, isn’t that the be all of the end all? Maybe not. Also and again, I would put Warren’s age at around 20 years old. I would bet a couple ice cream cones by the time he’s 23 years old he may be a much different player? Like the Ulizio old man. I guess what I’m saying is that I wouldn’t see Warren not starting as a recruiting failure.

      Like

  61. you can have my autograph at Frans tailgate. By appointment only of course. 😉 . Had a long conversation with EJ and he is every bit as nice as Reed says. Also sat and talked a great deal with Christian Spears, Heathers right hand man,…after me of course.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I can tell all of POV land that EJ Borghetti is a tremendous asset to our University. A true gentleman who bleeds Pitt. Richman is on the mark here.

      Like

  62. I thought the re-branding was great. I think the numerals are excellent and will grow on everyone. I was worried when I saw the embroidered Fountain Cat but I think it looks freaking fantastic in print … I probably won’t be buying a hat though. Haha.

    I don’t love the basketball uniforms. I’m going to have to get used to the belt look … I’m not sure I like the elastic being a different color than the shorts. I do like the Fountain Cat on the shorts, however. I’m not sure what I feel about the non-symmetry of a stripe on one side only. The yellow ones are straight 🔥🔥🔥.

    Football I think nailed it. Kept the retro feel of the old uniforms but with the new consistent branding. The numeral size is great. It’s clean but gives it a less “cheap” feel.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I think the “belt” on the bb uni’s was the only real miss. It’s a chance that the designers didn’t have to take.

      I also didn’t love the numerals at first but then I learned they were cathedral inspired and it really turned me on to them. The commons room was always my favorite space on campus and these numerals make me think about that every time I see them. H2p

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Pretty much agree – but will have to get used to those numerals. I found it interesting that the numerals pay homage to the architectural style of the Cathedral. Don’t know if I like the numerals, but I like the tie-in idea…

      (However, I must admit that the number “19” on the jerseys kind of looks like “1g” to me…🤓)

      Go Pitt.

      Like

    4. I’m a fan overall. Love the color scheme – it “pops” as people like to say and It will play well online. A little skeptical of the new panther logo, almost looks like “trying too hard”, but it’s a big improvement over recent versions and the fact that it’s rooted in Pitt’s most iconic building makes it an easier sell and offers some nice marketing possibilities from a visual standpoint. Ambivalent about the font, but I understand the desire to do something new that connects to the traditional version with a modern twist. I think I’ll come around. It looks really good on the soccer jerseys for some reason. Making the old new again was an easy win, but those aren’t always easy for Pitt, so glad to see this.

      Liked by 1 person

  63. It amazes me how many schools are re-branding and always tweeking…while a few captured it and stay with consistency (like the simple white and blue school in Centre County)…most keep chasing that elusive end of the rainbow…we had it once and let it slip….

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    2. BigB — At the top of my list of schools that really screwed it up is UCLA. They used to have great uniforms that you immediately as identified as UCLA and now it takes me a while to figure out it’s them…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  64. I think the new uniforms are great, but that Panther logo seems a bit creepy to me…it’s almost as if I am seeing a human head emerge from inside it. Either that or it appears to be out of the 1800’s…

    Liked by 4 people

  66. Fashion is always changing BigB, sometimes you like it sometimes you hate it.
    Remember the mini skirt.

    However, as far as I know uniforms have never won a game yet and if a recruit ever says I picked Pitt because I like the unis we are in big trouble.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. That reminds me of a Tony Dungy story. When Tony was coaching at – I think it was the University of Minnesota – early in his career he was recruiting a kid for a long time and thought he had him. But at the last minute, Michigan comes in with an offer. Well the kid immediately says yes to Michigan.

      Tony called the kid and said what’s going on? You told me you’d be coming to Minnesota.

      The kid said: “Sorry, Coach. But I’ve been wantin’ To wear one of those Michigan helmets all my life!”

      Tony said that experience led him to the NFL.

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Happened to us with penn state from the to time. And as Pitt gets better will happen to other teams. Now let’s go win 9 games and a bowl in these new uni’s and see what 2020 looks like!

        Liked by 1 person

  67. The Reveal was fine. I don’t much like the bright yellow…and that is what it is – not any kind of gold associated with our history.

    But wait 3 or 4 years and we’ll do it all over again to boost apparel sales. Pitt needs the money too much to not stick with an iconic image like the bigger programs do.

    At least we didn’t crap the bed like Maryland has done.

    For me go back to the national champs uniforms and colors and stick with it forever but that won’t happen.

    A comment in an article a few days ago mentioned Paris Ford…I think you need to ask his tutors what is going on there. That has been problematic for him (and others who missed stuff without injury).

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Even most of the bigger programs tinker with uniforms, with the exception of Alabama, Nebraska, Oklahoma and the Nits.

      Florida occasionally will change its script Gators logo on the helmet to the letter “F” and stepped in it just like Maryland:
      https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/10/14/16457430/florida-uniforms-alternate-alligator-texas-am-real

      Notre Dame has always gone with gold leaf paint on the helmets, but in recent years has switched to a glossier tone. They have also placed a shamrock and “ND” on the helmets from time to time.
      http://uniformcritics.com/football/college/notre-dame-fighting-irish/

      Even Texas has played with their color scheme:
      https://www.click2houston.com/news/longhorn-football-uniforms-no-longer-burnt-orange

      Like

    3. My theory also still holds. Going with Yellow instead of anything remotely Gold allows a tie-in with the Yellow Mustard seats at Heinz.

      Good for TV, especially with so many being empty.

      Like

      1. So now we can say those empty yellow seats are just part of our overall design/decoration of Heinz for Pitt football? 😎

        So no need to tarp now – those bright yellow seats are just celebrating our colors! 😊

        Damn, that Heather is wily!

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 3 people

  68. The fountain cat has definitely grown on me. The embroidered look def had a human quality to it. Haha. It had a Beauty and the Beast feel. I don’t feel the same way about the print version however. I think the belt is supposed to be a throwback feel. I’ll reserve judgement and see if it grows on me.

    Like

  69. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter what the uniforms look like if the football team wins 10 games. Wins are all that matters. However, if you want some commentary for the POV…

    1) The athletic department could have done worse (I expected much worse) is my overall response;
    2) I’m in the deep blue and mustard camp. Still don’t like the electric royal blue;
    3) I think the “fountain cat” is totally ripped off from panther on the FIU logo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIU_Panthers;
    4) For me, less is more when it comes to numerals. Happy with a basic block numeral. The cathedral numerals are over designed and over kill for me. Would prefer white numeral trimmed in gold on the blue jersey;
    5) If we are staying old school, the player names on back of jersey should be in gold not white;
    6) All in all, the yellow numbers still looks like McNeese St. to me instead of early 1980’s Pitt football. https://www.mcneese.edu/football/

    In 5 years from now, if the football and basketball team are tanking, there will be a new AD that will put his/her own spin on another rebranding….a throwback to the navy and vegas gold. And on and on.

    Except for the white face masks, I still thought this Majors II era uniform was solid:
    https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-billy-west-of-the-pitt-university-panthers-in-news-photo/239243

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Reed you mean hell yea right?

        Actually my first reaction was ‘they look nothing like the cathedral, because the cathedral is squared and these numbers are not’ but again, if you look at the vaulted ceiling in the commons room, and the gothic windows there is the design. Is it going to be polarizing? Yea a little, but for me it’s as unique as it gets without being totally off putting

        Like

  72. and the eyes follow me as I walk to and fro…. had a pic of Jesus on a wall growing up… His eyes followed you too…..

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  73. A little off topic, but wanted to mention that the mother of Zion apparently took a lot of money with her son ending at Duke. I was never so happy to hear Coach K being forceful after Duke beat Pitt, that Jeff Capel was just one of several recruiters and not the main recruiter of Zion and all the other 5 stars. He inadvertently provided cover for Capel in my opinion with respect to Zion recruiting scandal which will be coming out in greater detail soon.

    If you will recall, a few years ago, I wrote about this shoe company, university, AAU money exchange shell game that had been going on for years. The idea was to have the shoe company act as the financial intermediary with AAU and other handlers/family to be led to certain universities. There is no paper trail if you play the game correctly back to the university. Typically, the coaches get money to outfit their team with a certain brand. When the coach is not under contract with a shoe company for big money, those are the ones you need to watch because the coach has probably told the intermediary to take some of that money and use it to lead kids to my program, but clear it with me first, wink, nod, wink!

    The shoe company’s are not in privity of contract with, or under the umbrella of the NCAA, so they cannot be punished. The schools (if they are smart), turn their books over and show that they did not disburse money. The intermediaries aren’t squealing….unless they agree to take the fall for the coach. The shoe company fires their “salesman”, pays them a going away bonus and everybody walks free, except for the parents and handlers who more than likely didn’t pay tax on the monies received. IRS and Feds can pressure these folks to sing, but at the end of the day, the universities hands are clean. The business is beyond sleazy!

    Let’s see how this plays out, but i hadn’t seen or heard anyone talking about the Capel link back to this mess. I hope he is clear, but who knows any more! Me, I want him to play the game, just be a bit smarter.

    If Pitt was smarter and more progressive, they would increase the cost of attendance to a point where they can pay their players a larger stipend going forward. The SEC has done that so their stipend rate to all of their athletes is higher than in any other conference.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Huff – you mean increase tuition for regular students solely to be able to spend more money on just athletics? Or do you mean tickets sales… I really hope it is the latter.

      Like

      1. It’s the former. The SEC school’s raised “cost of attendance” higher than every P5 Conference because the resulting stipend is based off of that, which increases the legal monies paid by the universities to the SEC athletes.

        The newest court case will give universities the authority to increase their cost of attendance to whatever they want, so that they can pay their athletes accordingly. The fun part of the issue is that the universities and conferences cannot figure out how to pay a certain amount to make competitiveness intact within the conference. Conferences can’t dictate stipends due to collusion.

        Universities lose. The O’Bannon Judge has screwed up collegiate athletics some more.

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  74. I agree the uniforms will change again in the future. The numbers will change or stripes, etc. I doubt the colors will change. I hope they do not. Hopefully the secondary panther head logo sticks. It is important to have that. I remember PSU coming out with theirs in 1983 and they still use the same one.

    Lyke and Narduzzi hinted at alternative uniforms so expect to see them at some point.

    By the way, a graphic designer would tell you that the Pitt Panther head looks nothing like FIU or any other panther logo. Every line in a logo is well thought out. The designers even put cathedral arches in the panthers face. Also, Nike designed it, some other Panther logos were done by crappy brands like Adidas and Under Armour. LOL.

    Liked by 1 person

  75. I disagree Dallas Mike. Whether Pitg Windsor not I’m still an alum and fan. I want my gear to be fresh. Haha. We have that now. So hard to find good Pitt gear.

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  77. Huff to the power of 3…now that show company wouldn’t happen to be the same shoe company that PITT is in bed with without the fringe benefit of getting shoe company pesos to much needed “units” on the court or field……

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  79. Like

    1. Well Pitt will have 12 days to gameplan against NC for this years Thursday night game. Of course last year NC was missing about 9 players and that didn’t seem to help us overcome this NC hex they have on Pitt.

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  82. Cool video on the Fountain Panther bit.ly/PantherHead

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  83. I don’t see where there are “cathedral arches” on this Panther logo…what am I missing?

    Also, why can’t we stick with what Pitt has always used as our colors. Here is the guidance from Pitt’s public affairs office…in the text you can download their…”official” guidance.

    “View Pitt’s marks by downloading or referring to the University Identity—At a Glance document”

    https://www.communications.pitt.edu/marketing/branding-and-identity

    I have referenced this policy in articles for the last nine years and it has never changed through all the different uniform changes nor will it.

    Heather and the fans can say what they want but this new color scheme is not our school colors.

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  84. One thing a change like this does is create ‘buy in.’ Particularly if the fans had input. I’m sure Nike had several focus groups. How can you go wrong when time after time the retro Pitt uniforms win best uni across the nation in poll after poll and survey after survey.

    These are ‘America’s Colors.’ Well, Sweden and the Ukraine but I digress.

    Face it Reed, people your age dont buy merchandise. This was a nod to Millennials and the generation after them (Gen Z).

    Little things like this can help set the culture.

    Pitt sports has been broken for the past 40 years. Why not change things up.

    I like Pitt being unique in colors. I like the way the colors pop on TV. The old colors were boring and drab. As long as our school colors are some shade of blue and gold, I’m fine. I’m not a stickler on official colors.

    I think Nike did a fine job. There is a reason they have millions to pay Zion.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tx, I think you’re correct. One thing about these uniforms is, the rest of the country actually love them as well. It’s a home run that only an idiot AD would have changed.

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      1. They are the 3rd most popular colors in Texas behind Burnt Orange and Maroon.
        My Swedish and Ukrainian friends also approve. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    2. TX – Besides that these colors “pop” on TV, they also pop when you see them live. I was skeptical, but then pleasantly surprised by this when I saw the so-called retros last season…

      And I just hate those games where there’s no contrast between the colors of the teams – that won’t be such a problem anymore…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  85. Like it, love, hate it, I think Heather and Nike delivered to the masses. Which is what her job is. Keep the masses happy. Translation? They didn’t muck it up.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was in austin this weekend for a bachelor party and we were able to watch the game on sixth street. Fair amount of red raiders alum there. Really great atmosphere

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    1. The colors will pay for themselves. Pitt probably will generate more merchandise sales in the next 30 days than they had all of last year.

      Son might go to Tech or else I’m ACC.

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  90. Its no different than the cartoonish performance by Pitt sports over the last 40 years. If you’re gonna play like a cartoon, you might as well look like one. I like the look. It gets ones attention and draws u in. Its a very unique look.

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  91. Reed, totally serious question…what year best represents Pitt’s true school colors?
    Old gold and blue is what I remember hearing back in the day but I have no idea what that looks like.

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  94. Bernie, looking at the WUP Flag in your icon, it looks like you got the colors pretty close….or did Nike copy your flag???

    Liked by 1 person

  95. WUPs and Script flags I gave away were Autumn Gold… took pics of our great teams colors to the flag maker and they got the Mustard very close… the Blue was much darker in the Major – Sherrill years… Gottfried introduced Old ‘eer yellar….

    I sent Michangelo and Reed a pic of our official Navy and Old Gold colors (I don’t know how to post pics on here) I liked those colors to but we always seemed to get our a$$e$ WUPPED in those colors…

    Maybe the throwback unis will be the Fralic look… be nice to have a couple of OLineman who had the “Fralic-look—-look like Fralic!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

        1. Reed – Not anymore. It might be our former school colors but it doesn’t translate to 2019 … and even at almost 45 those were not my school colors. My school colors were closer to what is represented now.

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  98. Hey OT. This basketball game should be one for the ages. Two defensive teams that makes for a great match-ups because they are mirror images. Looking forward to it.

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    1. Haha. My point was it would not sell well or garner much excitement outside of the fixed income crowd 😬.

      Times and style have changed. I doubt you’ll ever see that uniform again outside of a throwback.

      They brought it back about 10 years ago and it wasn’t a huge hit. Nothing like the excitement of the alt uniforms the last couple of years or the new reveal.

      https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://pittnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_7656-600×900.jpg&imgrefurl=https://pittnews.com/article/110921/sports/qa-tyler-palko-field-general-leader-business-field/&tbnid=HyXEqADJquFwpM&vet=1&docid=juksbjmiDFmWfM&w=600&h=900&hl=en&source=sh/x/im

      Liked by 1 person

  102. Reed – It’s all very popular right now. I’m not sure if it’s a generational thing or not but there appears to be a divide around the age of 50.

    Regardless of Ws and Ls Pitt needed an identity. They have that now. Pitt did not have a uniform look or feel. It was a disjointed hodgepodge of the old with a dying existing brand that did not capture Pitt’s spirit.

    The new gear looks fantastic and will sell. I would get used to it because Pitt did not spend the money that they did with Nike to do this again over the next decade. I agree with Duzz that this is something permanent.

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  105. UVA just too much firepower for Tech. From ugly frog to Cinderella. It’s all about the journey. UVA runs Jamie’s offense but with much more freedom allowed. ACC kings again. Pitt better get a big soon.

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    1. Capel missed on most of the bigs he was after. Any big he finds now will be a project and sit for a few years unless he goes the route of Juco or grad transfer. Frankly, I think he needs two bigs, a point guard and two shooters. I know I’m asking for too much, but he does have the scholarships.

      Liked by 2 people

  106. i dont like the “secondary logo.” it’s kinda anthropomorphized, too much so for me.

    they darkened the yellow and the blue which i wish they had gone further but it’s better than the yellow and blue used for the home retros the last few years.

    the “cathedral font” for the numbers well im not a fan but i wont care when i see those numbers on the back of a jersey as the guy wearing it runs into the end zone for a pitt touchdown.

    overall pitt could have done better (of course) but didn’t utterly fail like it did with the smiler’s rebranding

    Liked by 1 person

  107. Hey Deep…thought the same thing. Maybe a bunch of “furries” made up the focus groups for the logo design.
    They walk among us…haha.

    Liked by 1 person

  108. I thoroughly enjoyed the elite eight final four and last nights game. Thought it was the best overall tournament in a long time.

    The quality of the games, the players and coaching was extremely high.

    Hard to expect Pitt to ever get to that level of play.

    The things that stood out the most were the clutch shooting under pressure, the ball movement and individual skill level it takes to score against quality ferocious defense. The rebounding and attention to detail in all phases of the game required to play at the highest level, never letting up and fighting for every loose ball, precision passing, the teamwork, how the clutch foul shooting is an absolute requirement in close games.

    The difference between winning and losing is minuscule and luck and the referees definitely can affect the final outcome.

    I am happy for Bennett, the calm collected guy who took a good program and made it a great program. A team that suffered the ultimate embarrassment a year ago, coming back to win it all. Also very happy that Pitt plays in a league that wins so many championships.

    Liked by 9 people

  109. Well said Gordon.

    I wonder if someone with an entrepreneurial spirit will market Bev-Buckles in our new Pitt colors…
    Fashionable and practical.

    Like

    1. Fran — I’m looking forward to the Pitt promotion, I’m sure Heather is working on it, where the first 30,000 fans to a Pitt home game get a free “Richman Bev-Buckle!”

      Go Pitt!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. So John to recap what you’e saying here. You’re saying Heather is working close with Richman with his Bev-Buckle. Ahem. cough cough.

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Wahoowa!
      Go Hoos!
      Many members of my family are UVA grads…big night for all of us last night.

      I’d trade an embarrassing loss to a 16 seed any day for a national championship the following year. Good for those kids.

      Liked by 2 people

  111. we saw 2 defensive oriented teams make the finals, but these two teams could also shoot like crazy … and in the clutch.

    since 2011, a team that was in the same conference as Pitt won the BB NCAA title 5 times

    since 2013, a team that was in the same conference as Pitt won the NCAA FB title 3 times

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  112. it was pointed out on twitter that the ACC is launching its network with the defending FB and MBB champs. Very fortunate

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  113. completely off topic … but the Balt Orioles Chris Davis twice led the AL in HRs and has a current contract of $161M for 7 years (expiring in 2022) He has gone hitless in his last 49 at bats

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    1. The funnier thing is that the Orioles had a choice between signing him or Manny Machado to long term, big money deals, and chose Davis. This could go down as one of the worst GM deals of all time.

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    1. The colors were for the most part always blue and yellow except for the bad decision to go with vegas gold. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

        1. When were they not yellow? …or are you classifying the mustard color as gold? If that is the case you are correct. I always referred to it as mustard yellow or baby crap yellow.

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  117. Looking for a head count for the spring game…let me know.
    Joe L cooking kielbasa and haluski.
    Wolfeman grilling dogs.
    I will handle liquids…tailgating is a fluid activity. Haha.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Fran – planning to be there with my Air Force son.

      Thanks to you and your associates for having the tailgate.

      Go Scooter!

      Like

    2. On my calendar, hope to be there by 1130. Haven’t parked on the North Shore before, are all the lots open to the public?

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    4. My nephew’s fiance’s parents had the GALL to schedule their engagement party for this Saturday in the Rockville, MD area.

      Will miss the tailgate. 😦

      See you in September!

      H2P

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  118. I saw a post on the Lair that having struck out on Calipari and Dixon, UCLA is reportedly now pursuing Gene Hackman for their BB Head Coaching job…

    Made me laugh.

    Go Pitt.

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  119. As far as Heinz Field goes…… We sit in comfortable seats and if it gets too hot or cold… my wife can retreat into the club and sit in a large comfy room on a soft chair or couch, perfect. Tailgating is better than in Oakland and the restrooms are 150% times better. There really isn’t any comparison between Heinz and PITT stadium. Available hotels and the hold shebang.

    One problem, it’s just too dang big. It just doesn’t give you that college football game-day atmosphere. Of course if I sat in the student section it may have more of a college football feel, well at least until the 3rd quarter. I’ll never see another true PITT stadium again. Well at least PITT went back to the good ole uniforms and got the colors a little closer to the truth. Baby steps.

    I’m thinking on the spring game, have to be in Aspinwall Friday anyways.

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    1. What is going on in Aspinwall these days? I grew up there but moved out of town after graduating from Pitt in 1980.

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  120. I heard a rumor that now that the colors align, Heinz Field is going to be re-named Pitt Stadium.

    The ketchup bottles are to be replaced with yellow-mustard jars…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We had a refrigerator that color in the 70s but it was called harvest gold, lol. That color appliance never made a comeback and never will because it was awful. What were the others avocado green, burnt orange?

      Liked by 1 person

  122. just got back from a long walk and I’m sorry to report that Pitt’s winning streak in the PSU v Pitt logo Cranberry Challenge was short-lived.

    PSU went out to a commanding lead 4-0 lead when I noticed a lion’s head license plate on the front of a F-150, a large Nittany Lions flag flying from a townhouse, and two elderly women with Penn State shirts (Not together.) Pitt made a feeble comeback with a middle-aged woman in a navy blue Pitt jacket with gold lettering … may have been a band jacket, not sure. But that was it except for a small PSU pennant on the from porch of another townhouse.

    To add insult to injury … PSU was awarded another point when Franklin challenged that a blank navy blue hoodie with a white draw string should be a point for the Nits. Thus, Pitt got smoked 6-1.

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    1. Speaking of smoked. Keep in mind wwb. Any paneled van with smoked out windows or no windows at all with any psu acknowledgement should count as minus three points.

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  125. Honestly, my favorite unis of whole bunch are probably those black and yellow/gold track uniforms. Call it blasphemy, but with all the switches we have seen the past few decades, I wouldn’t mind just making a switch to match the city’s pro sports teams (or at least make black the primary dark color, yellow the secondary color, and have very very minor blue accents, kind of like the logo on the city flag).

    The trim/striping on the women’s basketball uniforms are better than the men’s in my opinion. I actually really like the look of the women’s ball uniforms.

    Liked by 1 person

  126. Well PoD, when you change school colors as much as PITT has done over the years, I think tradition has already been thrown out the window a long time ago. I like these uniforms enough not to get riled up over them.

    I will say, I heard Heather say something along the lines of, if you look good, you feel good, you play good. I actually subscribe to that theory. I know many don’t but I believe it’s a mindset.

    Liked by 1 person

  127. On my recent cruise I saw one guy with a PSU shirt and another (two doors down from my room) with a PSU hat. As I passed him in he corridor I simply said “Pitt” and he said “Disease”. Doesn’t sounds like the rivalry is dead.

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    1. My take is that instead of replying “Penn State,” this Penn Stater recognizes that that place is synonymous with “disease”.. 😊

      That’s a step in the right direction…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  128. Wish I could make the tailgate but my son Ben bought 3 tickets to the “Frozen 4” in Buffalo..will wave down to yinz as we fly over you on Friday….taking my side-kick and former gyenocologist, Dr. Dan Terryberry (alias Delta Tango) with us..he’s a native of Medina NY and speaks fluent Buffalonian …he came to the VT tailgate last November…many of you met him..We were going to be up for the FRANKCAN CUP battle but that got conflicted with HOOTIE and the Blowtoad tickets that my daughter gave us for Christmas….

    Liked by 1 person

  129. Speaking of the Frankcan Golf Tournament – 9 committed (paid) golfers out of 22 verbals. New verbals welcome as some have de-committed.

    Need your payments by April 30th – I’ll start contacting the verbals directly this week as a reminder.

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    1. C’mon fella’s, help Rick out here. The guys busts his butt for this. As a side story though. Rick you must feel a little like Narduzzi with the de-commitments? I get it though, things do happen to change a plan.

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      1. LOL Joe, I can just picture it. The Big guy is like a large Fred Astaire. At the one tailgate and the PITT team buses were rolling down General Robinson St and he yells, c’mon lets give the boys a shout out. He was already 30 yards ahead of me. That guy can really move. A mover and a shaker he is.

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  132. The mustard is not coming back. It hasn’t been a part of the color scheme since 1986 I think. Most folks post-1987 will prefer the current iteration. 1987 was 32 years ago. The current yellow is much more part of the tradition than the mustard at this point. It’s not even worth getting upset over. It’s just not a color that sells or, to be honest, feels like Pitt anymore.

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  133. I live near Baltimore and a few Orioles live near me. Davis was a huge steroid user and got caught, fined and suspended. He is allowed nothing more than aspirin. They say that roads do not give youtalent, just extend the talent you already have. He’s now been 51 at bats with NO hits. A record in MLB. I m guessing he’s seen an average of 5 pitches per at bat and thus has seen 156 pitches. I’m 68 but think I could score at least a bunt single out of that many pitches!

    Liked by 1 person

  135. Dan, I can just picture you hustling down to first base on a bunt single right now. I’d buy a ticket for that. 🙂

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  136. Larry V, I think gold 1 and 2 are for the spring game.
    We’ll have the flags flying.
    JoeL, the Doubletree is Lancaster Mission Control.

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  139. I’m guessing that the basketball uniforms will be more custom fitted to each player? << Cause they are not my favorite either. Look good, feel good, play even better!

    Like

  143. JoeLn Iek…the BigB can dance… 1970 voted “Best Dancer in the Senior Class!” If I had 6-pack abs and a surfer boy’s a$$ I would NOT have become a Physical Therapist…. Chippendale was my callin’……..

    Liked by 1 person

  144. The Pitt baseball team plays the nits tomorrow night. The nits are 17-11 on the season, but 1-7 in the B1G Joke conference. The nits schedule light with OOC games to puff up the record, just Lyke their FB team.

    We are…weak schedulers!

    Liked by 1 person

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