in Pitt Football 908 Words

Pitt’s Heather Lyke Named a Cushman & Wakefield Athletics Director of the Year Awardee

I think the conversation now shifts from “I don’t think she’s good enough” to “Can we keep her?”

Congratulations Heather. Well deserved.

….Per the Pitt Sports SID…

PITTSBURGH—The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced that Pitt’s Heather Lyke has been named a recipient of the Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Year Award.

The award highlights the efforts of athletics directors for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities. Lyke was named one of four honorees representing the Football Bowl Subdivision, joining Mark Harlan (Utah), Jamie Pollard (Iowa State) and Gene Taylor (Kansas State).

Lyke will be recognized at the 58th Annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention on June 13 in Orlando, Fla.

“Heather’s driving vision is one of comprehensive excellence, and this well-deserved award recognizes her success in transforming this ambitious vision into reality,” said Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. “She has raised the bar for University of Pittsburgh athletics, student-athletes and athletics staff, and the results truly speak for themselves. Team Pitt—already counting her as a star—is incredibly proud to see Heather honored by her peers in this way, and we wish her a heartfelt congratulations!”

“It is more than humbling to be recognized along with some extraordinary colleagues,” Lyke said. “This honor is the result of an outstanding team of people in Pitt Athletics who make great decisions and work hard every day to help our coaches and student-athletes have success. It is truly a privilege to lead Pitt Athletics and this award also represents the exceptional belief and confidence of our coaches, student-athletes and staff.”

This is the latest national recognition for Lyke, who is concluding her sixth year at the University of Pittsburgh. She previously was named a finalist for the Sports Business Journal Athletic Director of the Year award. The winner of the SBJ honor will be announced on May 24.

Under Lyke’s direction, Pitt Athletics is enjoying a new golden age. The Panthers are achieving at unprecedented levels in the competitive arena, classroom and community.

The 2022-23 athletics year will long be remembered as one of the most exciting—and accomplished—in Pitt history.

· Football defeated UCLA in the Sun Bowl and earned back-to-back Top 25 finishes for the first time since 1982-83.

· Men’s soccer advanced to the College Cup for the second time in three seasons.

· Volleyball advanced to its second consecutive Final Four, firmly establishing the Panthers as a national power.

· Women’s soccer made its first NCAA Tournament appearance and earned a Sweet 16 berth.

· Men’s basketball returned to March Madness, winning multiple NCAA Tournament games for the first time since 2009.

· Wrestler Nino Bonaccorsi won the NCAA 197-pound championship, becoming Pitt’s first individual wrestling national champion since 2008.

· Ilse Steigenga was a first team All-American in the indoor long jump, becoming the first Pitt woman to earn such stature in that event since Panthers’ Hall of Famer Trecia-Kaye Smith in 1999.

· Men’s cross country was represented at the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1994.

· This past weekend, men’s swimming and diving had its largest representation ever at the NCAA Championships—12 competitors—and placed 33rd nationally.

The Panthers also continue to score important victories off the field.

Seventeen of Pitt’s 19 programs finished the fall semester with a 3.0 team grade-point average or better. Moreover, Pitt Athletics ranked No. 2 among all NCAA schools in the Teamworks Community Service Standings.

Enthusiasm is also being generated by ambitious capital projects, including “Victory Heights,” a series of state-of-the-art athletics facilities that will provide 16 of Pitt’s 19 teams with national-caliber competition, training, sports performance and sports medicine facilities.

Construction has already begun on a 3,000-seat arena for gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling, as well as a sports performance center that will serve 16 teams and the Spirit Squads.

Generating resources and support for Pitt Athletics has been a major priority for Lyke’s administration. Those efforts produced a record $40 million raised during the 2021-22 fiscal year. That total included a historic $20 million gift from 1997 alumnus Chris Bickell, the largest single donation in Pitt Athletics history.

Bickell’s gift was the latest monumental donation received during Lyke’s tenure. Previously, former Pitt All-American Aaron Donald, who now stars for the Los Angeles Rams, made a seven-figure financial commitment to the Pitt Football Championship Fund, the largest donation ever by a Pitt football letterman to the program.

Lyke’s leadership has been crucial for Pitt in a quickly changing collegiate athletics landscape. This has been especially evident in the realm of Name, Image, Likeness (NIL). Upon the new NCAA legislation taking effect, Lyke launched the Pitt NIL Program, an innovative initiative designed to equip Pitt’s student-athletes with the knowledge and resources necessary to maximize their personal brand, platform and opportunities.

Pitt Athletics recently unveiled a five-year Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategic plan—Panthers United—aimed at fostering an inclusive environment for its student-athletes, coaches and staff. The strategic plan includes five areas of focus: recruitment and hiring; retention, development and success; a culture of belonging; positively impacting the community; and raising awareness and celebrating Pitt’s DEI efforts.

Prior to Pitt, Lyke served as vice president and director of athletics at Eastern Michigan from 2013-17. She additionally held ranking athletic administrator posts at Ohio State and Cincinnati.

Lyke is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Akron School of Law. She and her husband David have three children: Elle, Sophie and Eli.

182 thoughts on “Pitt’s Heather Lyke Named a Cushman & Wakefield Athletics Director of the Year Awardee”

  1. But, what color was her blouse?

    She’s having a great run, for sure. Congrats to the her and the entire athletic department.

    Winning on the playing fields: Check
    Winning off the playing fields: Check
    Winning the investment game: Check

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Tossing, agree with everything you said but you missed the fourth check mark: The first recipient EVER to receive the award while wearing a yellow blouse (which I have come to love).

      Liked by 1 person

  2. She’s done a great job. We are winning in more sports than just FB & BB.

    But, but… where is the On Campus Stadium?

    Same place it has been for decades. Nowhere and don’t hold your breath.

    Victory Heights is progressing though…

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Pitt hasn’t earned an on-campus stadium yet. Need about a decade of sustained success to justify it. Pitt has 8 more years of gradual improvement to get there …

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Congrats Heather, you deserve all the good things you’ve earned! I don’t care if you wear a hundred yellow blouses.

    Great basketball game on at 7 tonight. Maryland w the best coach in the USA, Brenda Freese vs # 1 S Carolina! SC the more talented team but Brenda has a few tricks in her bag!! I’d love to hire an Asst from her coaching tree for Pitt!

    Liked by 2 people

  6. It really looks impressive when you see it all laid out that way. Have to tip the cap, not only for the resurgence in the major revenue sports (football and men’s basketball) and sports where Western Pennsylvania has long been a force (wrestling), but also for success in soccer, swimming, volleyball, and cross country – sports that have never really been associated with Western PA. Kudos to Lyke for expanding the horizons of Pitt Athletics and lifting expectations for the fanbase!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. UM
      Carnegie Tech had a great record in cross country back when Carl Olson (sp?) was the coach. He was my neighbor as a kid. I ran cross country for my high school team and he would yell at us to run on the grass, not the asphalt, when we went by his house.
      pmdH2P

      Liked by 1 person

  7. The comments about any on-campus stadium being off in the distance are surely accurate, but while an on-campus stadium might increase student attendance, we shouldn’t forget about the very frequent comment by recruits that our association with the Steelers is a factor in choosing Pitt.
    Perhaps we should be (and maybe we are) involved with the Steelers on their next move when Heinz/Acrisure is replaced.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I’m telling you they just need to plop the “On Campus Stadium” across the river from the Practice Facility.

      Make the stroll (stumble!) down Bates Street the new On Campus Tradition.

      And then “Cardiac Hill part Deux” will be the walk back up. But only after Christian Veilleux wins the starting job!

      Liked by 4 people

      1. To be honest, the Victory Heights stuffs feels like a precursor to an eventual stadium. The Pete was a success … if this is a success as well I think it is a springboard for a new football home.

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  8. Congratulations Heather, a very well deserved award. You make Pitt proud! Has Pitt ever had a better AD, or even one as good in it’s storied history? Maybe decades ago, but not in my lifetime that I can remember….and I’m in my mid 70’s.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Cas Myslinski was a really good AD on the football end. Grugrich was hired under Cas’ watch, but also left on his watch, so Cas needed to do better there.

      Word was despite being an Army grad, Myslinski was perceived by fellow Pitt administrators as a big galoot. Foge was hired while Cas was still the AD in title, but he was being pushed out behind the scenes and no input in the decision.

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  9. What a great opportunity for a major corporation or an individual benefactor to make a significant donation qualifying to rename the AD position similar to “the Chris Bickell ‘97 Head Football Coach”. Then give Heather a good chunk of that donation in the form of a raise or bonus.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. It is so gratifying to have all the work and success of Heather recognized on a national scale. It truly reflects the astounding results across the board in Pitt sports. Recalling the beginning of her experience here and the responses from this POV she only got criticized and any positive gains were attributed to previous hiring. Now, I am so glad to see her acknowledged for all the things she has done to raise the profile and quality of Pitt sports.

    From football and basketball to minor sports phenomenal progress was made. And what is probably the least acknowledged is keeping assistant coaches , successful coaches and her hiring.
    Now seeing increased donations and getting funding for new athletic space, I agree with a previous note that we need to do what we can to keep her.

    Liked by 7 people

  11. I am encouraged that Heather will make a good hire for the women’s basketball coach position for two main reasons.

    First, she has demonstrated a far more tolerant or patient stance with our current coaches. This has to be important for rising stars or even established coaches expected to resurrect a dead program. I remember Tom Herman being one of the most sought after football coaches based on his success at Houston. Goes to the University of Taxes (see what I did there to avoid punishment), 32-18 in four seasons, gets canned, sends his career back to square one. A year as a pro team analyst and now head coach at Florida Atlantic. No hot commodity wants that.

    Second, I think Heather has now established herself in the AD world to the point that she probably has good back door contacts who can discreetly convey interest and gage response without embarrassing our university or the second, third, or fourth option candidate. Can’t stop sports writers from speculating. But interviews and contacts should be kept as confidential as possible. I think Heather is in a position to do that now.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I hope you’re right, Wolfe, but getting the right women’s BB Coach for a team that has been at the bottom of their league for a good while is a tough job, to say the least.

      I didn’t think you could find a better candidate than Coach Suzie – but after one good year with Agnus’ players, she totally went in the tank. Then Coach White seemed like an excellent choice – years of success as a top assistant and top recruiter for excellent teams – but he got nowhere here…

      Be interesting to see who we end up with…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. John, Pitt has to overcome their massive recruiting deficit by releasing NIL funds for women’s basketball. For a zillion reasons,
        top ladies recruits don’t want to come to Pitt. Just watched SC crush a game Maryland team by owning the boards with three 6’5 + players. Height inside is everything. Any good coach can coach em up but they have to be able to recruit top talent ….. and keep them!

        Good hunting Heather!! H2P

        Liked by 2 people

  17. Congrats to the yellow blouse wearing compliance director from Eastern Michigan. (Have I hit on all the negatives from the past?) She, Gallagher and the BOT have worked together to significantly raise the outside perspective of Pitt athletics.

    I am at my favorite casino. Yesterday, I wore a yellow (gold) long sleeve Pitt T-shirt under my Royal Blue golf shirt. Had 6 or so casino goers comment on Pitt sports.

    At dinner, a man came over to our table and said he was a ’81 engineering graduate from Pitt that grew up in Elizabeth Then the restaurant manager came to the table, introduced himself and said he grew up in Elizabeth. As he was leaving. I pointed to the first man and said he was from the same hometown. He then visited that man’s table.

    When the tab came, all at our table got a 25% discount.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Sure seems like Narduzzi is having the best early recruiting yet. It looks like coaching stability, including assistants plus back to back solid seasons is making a difference. Maybe even the excellent bowl win is a factor. Hopefully we hold on to these guys as they have stellar senior seasons.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Indeed. I bet there is an expectation that some kids will decommit and that is OK. The coaches will load up, see who sticks and bring back some super seniors to fill out the roster. I think 2024 will be the last year for those guys to have the option.

        It has been a benefit to Pitt. When the rule is gone, Pitt must adopt aggressive redshirting. A school like Pitt needs to win with older players.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. 2025 is the last year for 6’th year seniors. The class of 2020 is the last class eligible for the covid additional year.

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    1. I don’t know and no one I’ve talked to knows! I talked w Agnus when she was here… I’ve even talked to Maryland prospects who went elsewhere… it’s a stigma thing…..

      When I hired salespeople late in my career, our industry was in such bad shape that I could only hire folks who could bring clients with them. There was no time to invest in training or hire a rep w potential. That’s where Heather is right now. Pitt’s next coach has to have solid recruiting relationships with top prospects and the ability to bring them to Pitt. The cycle must be broken!

      Women’s BBall is all about your talent Vs the opponents talent. No amount of smart coaching can overcome that deficit!! H2P

      Liked by 2 people

  21. Another ‘Cuse player enters the portal. Where are you Judah Mintz and wouldn’t you look good in blue and gold? And black with a big P?

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  22. It’s the second recruiting season after a big season that pays off. The next season is too late. I’ve been saying all along that the ACC Championship would pay off in this recruiting cycle.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Five of the ten FB recruits are 5.5 Rivals rated after Duzz landed two 4 stars (5.8 rated) to start this class.

    So volume over quality? Or diamonds in the rough?

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  24. Well well, I’ve got lots of things I want to say….. but I won’t.

    Although all the chastising we had to read over the years it turns out the realists remain on the sidelines while the accolades pile up for the awful hires of such losers. The list is long even including Mr Whipple of all people.

    Trust me, the disdain is still there. Maybe even greater now. PITT fans rooting for failure just to prove they were right?

    Hey, I admit to being wrong about Capel. After sticking with my theme of giving people some time to actually see if they can be successful, I gave in and judged Capel to soon. I was wrong his basketball team gave PITT fans a very memorable season and I thank him for that. I was wrong in giving him up on him.

    I can’t get over the fun made at Heather for wearing a blouse with PITT colors.. (YELLOW) She wears white pants a lot and didn’t want to wear a blue top because, you know what would have been said then.

    Like I said, I won’t say anything

    Liked by 9 people

      1. Hey Mark, can I see that in writing? You know the book, “Criteria of a Good Coach” ;).. Hope all is good with your family.

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        1. He made the tournament in his third year at UConn. And every year after including this years Final Four.

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  29. The high Pitt recruiting ranking is likely produced by the number of recruits so far. Don’t be surprised if we see a significant drop if more 4 stars aren’t added.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Regarding Heather, Congratulations she definitely has raised the bar that was previously set in terms of facilities and attention to athletics. Some of her hires have been duds. Some have done well. Some of the moves have been headscratchers including Capel who has one good year in 5 years and gets an extension. The jury is still out on Capel bigtime. Narduzzi is solid as much as I can’t stand him personally. I don’t think he ever gets Pitt to the promiseland but i’m not sure anyone can unless Big Money and effort was put into making Pitt a powerhouse. Congrats to Heather, Overall I think she has earned a strong B.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Nice to see you turn a corner. It’s level set expectations. Expectations based on the context of the program. If the context is Duke in basketball and Alabama in football, we’re a long way off. In order to meet those expectations there has to be a certain investment not currently being made. I do think Victory Heights is the first step in that direction. Show success there and then you have two success stories in the Pete and VH. Then, maybe, you can start making the argument for an on-campus stadium and with that a jump in expectations. It’s a process.

      Liked by 2 people

  31. Upitt,

    Coming from you a response that should be framed and put behind glass for safekeeping.
    Heather is not perfect…and neither is any other AD. Currently, we have 2 programs that are in the trash bin,,,, women’s basketball and softball. Baseball is teetering on the precipice although we just took 2 out of 3 from the Hokies… lacrosse can not be judged for another 2 years in the very difficult ACC.

    Like

  32. UPitt set this up……

    Here’s my current evaluation of Jeff Capel as a college basketball coach. NIL has become the great equalizer in recruiting but kudos to Jeff/staff for convincing prospects that Pitt is a worthy place to play and convince them to trust him as a coach.

    If you reread my piece Pre last season, you’ll recall that I said “Huff and I could lead this Pitt team to the NIT”. That was based on talent coming in plus Dior and a healthy Hugley! Capel/staff adjusted as best they could and got us to an 11 seed in the NCAA’s.

    Here’s my problem and the problem I’ve heard in the recruiting arena. “Game Day Coaching!”

    Folks are not convinced Capel/staff are even average in that arena! You watched it this year. His teams play one offensive set and one defensive set and well there are variation’s out of those sets, I’ve rarely seen him make in game adjustments when they’re not working! Zeiss says d the exact same thing on his talk show. Now some coaches make those changes in the gym and trust their team to execute. But games are speedy, complicated and as we’ve seen many times, one little tweak can change the outcome.

    Last but not least (and this one makes many of us crazy!) Jeff refuses to call timeouts in game when any other coach on this earth would call “time”! I think he may take 2000+ uncalled Time Outs to the grave!

    I’m fascinated to see who he convinces to join this Pitt team that can keep the momentum growing!
    From what I hear Mintz is still talking to many teams…..including Pitt! Good hunting Jeff!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Dan – I think even though Xavier hit the shots you could see the difference in in game coaching between Capel and Miller.

      Like

      2. Totally agree and it wasn’t the only game. More important, it’s been noticed by many smarter than I

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  33. In 1996 there were teams that refused to play on our field and almost protested games. We were tasked with making peanut butter sandwhiches and we were our own grounds crew. The uniforms were worn year after year. Our Gear from Mouse was a gray tee shirt with a stamp of athletics stamped on it and shorts you could buy at Gabes for 2.99. It was so embarassing compared to WVU, ND, Etc. Pederson for all his goofiness at least started the wheel turning on trying to improve athletics. Whoever the AD was when I got there was a total trainwreck. It was Fall of 1995. Not sure his name. To have good athletics and facilities it is more than just a AD… It is a The Chancellor and BOD, etc. It has to be a joint effort. THese kids today have no idea how good they have it. Hell we bussed 95% of the trips. Now they fly everywhere. I sound like a angry old man but it is true. Pitt in the 90’s was a mess.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I remember mouse from 1969. That was really the dark ages for Pitt athletes. Things started to turn first for Basketball and then for football when Cas Myslinski brought in good coaches and the Golden Panthers added the finances. Nothing improved for the minor sports.

      Heather is the first AD to recognize their importance.

      Liked by 2 people

  36. Upitt – I’ve heard all those stories. Haha. That was the NCAA Tourney year, right? Fraternity brother was Josh Mellor. I think he broke the NCAA record for hit by pitches that year.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I played one year with Mellor. He and Conti kinda put me under their wing as much as upper classman do freshman. Haha. We all played the same positions…

      Like

  37. One very exciting paradigm change here IMO at Pitt is that both Capel’s & Narduzzi’s teams as well as the ladies volleyballs teams (among others?) all attest to a loving family/team atmosphere now at Pitt. When recruits visit here it they say it feels like family. Players will go out of their way to make them one of the family and feel at home, even if they haven’t signed on yet.

    Kid’s from out of state are surprised when they get here and see the football setup alongside the Steelers practice field and how nice The Pete is. As well as the workout facilities, thanks goes in part to Aaron Donald $$$. I believe Pittsburgh also sells itself and is a great town.

    I’m not sure how much of this is attributed to Heather’s fine job here, but I know the upgrades in facilities had a lot to do with Heather convincing the cheapskates at the BoT to spend the money on needed upgrades. If she gets them to eventually spring for an OC football stadium we will be starting a GoFundMe at the POV for a bronze Heather statue prominently placed at Gate A.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Could she get them to print game day programs for football! Just a single sheet w players names and numbers. Don’t need to know their favorite color or anything else.

      Like

    2. Pitt baseball is a hot mess with HC Bell (never been a HC until Pitt).

      His team lost to psuX last evening 16-8.

      Where is the pitching? Bell is a former pitching coach at Florida State where Heather hired him from, just like the women’s BB coach, who she recently fired.

      Like

  38. Once the Victory Heights venue is complete, tear down the Fitzgerald Fieldhouse and the Trees Pool complex, close the street between them and you have your on-campus stadium site. Rope off a few swimming lanes on the Mon. Plop a 10 meter diving platform on the bank. And we’re golden.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Copy … and I just learned if you type copy it copy’s the posters info into the details section. It filled out as Reed automatically. Weird.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. I think I read from one of our astute posters here that Foge was selected as HC while the AD administration was in complete turmoil. If true, that was a mistake that changed the coarse of Pitt football for two decades.

    Like

    1. That was a long time ago and my memory isn’t what it used to be. But I would say that AD Ed Bozik was the mistake that began the demise of Pitt football.

      Foge was a highly successful DC at Pitt (and elsewhere for years after he left Pitt), he was loved by his players, fans and alums, and respected by the local HS coaching community. And he was a Pitt man. What was not to like? Even after he was fired he was loved by most who knew him. His record as a head coach (2 top 20 rankings, 2 bowl losses, one losing season out of 4) was unacceptable at the time but would have earned him a contract extension and a big raise today.

      Funny how expectations change over the decades.

      Liked by 6 people

          1. Foge ran an undisciplined team. I remember players coming forward during WTAE interviews complaining that some players only wanted to show up for the games.
            Foge was a dreadful head coach: All that talent wasted!

            Like

  41. Nice game tonight Pitt Baseball. I always enjoy losing to Penn State 16-8!! I thought our coach was a pitching coach???

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  48. On The Fan, Izzy was mentioned by Jeff Hawthorne as the Pitt player whose stock most likely rose based on his Pro Day performance.

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    1. I wonder what number or percentage of these players give up a college scholarship to enter the portal and then are not offered a scholarship elsewhere?

      Liked by 1 person

  51. Some of these portal players will end up playing for some small D3 program and paying their own tuition. Does that beat sitting on the bench with a free ride??

    As for Foge, it must have been easy in those tumultuous times to pick the local popular guy without doing a proper in depth search. In fact, I recall that Pitt was notorious for giving some administrative VP the responsibility to hire the next football coach. No wonder there was a string of poor coaches that destroyed the football program.

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  52. daughter Chrish (#6) had game tying goal with 12 seconds left in regulation
    last night HS game

    notably, the player that got the assist passing to Chrish is the #7 ranked lax player in the country (committed to UMD 😦 )

    hey Heather, looking for some NIL 😉

    Liked by 9 people

  53. We have a date, time and location set for the 2023 edition of the Frankcan Cup Golf Outing – June 24th at Champion Lakes Golf Course near Ligonier, PA with a start time of 8:30am and a nice meal after your round of golf where we will announce the winning team.

    The cost will be about $80 per player (includes golf and meal).

    More information to follow…

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Later would be better – but I will try to be there what ever the start time.

        Thank you, Rick!

        Like

  54. I encourage anyone interested to consider asking friends to join us…assemble a 4some if you can.
    We need 24 golfers for Champion Lakes to give us the time slot.

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  58. A couple of questions: How did Baldonado do on Pro Day?
    How many Pitt players will be drafted and/or offered chances to
    make a practice squad?

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    1. Here’s is what the consensus big board from mock draft database indicates:
      Kancey will be low 1st round
      Izzy will be high 4th (which could bump up to late 3rd with his good pro day)
      Baldanado looks like 5th rounder
      Carter Warren a 7th

      Jared Wayne, Deslin Alexandre and Gabe Houy are pegged as free agents.

      Would like to see Alexandre get a good long look somewhere. A high quality guy.

      Liked by 1 person

  60. On gardening news. Cut 5 stalks of asparagus this PM. Had cut two stalks previously over a 10-day period. The first I ate raw. The second i put in a chicken, vegetable, rice soup. The raw one was good.

    Liked by 5 people

  61. Couple thoughts;

    I can picture Richard gnawing on his asparagus, hope your knees are holding up for you Pal.

    Tvax congrats on your award-winning family, a proud papa you should be. Forgot you lived down near Baltimore next to Reed.

    Happy Birthday Michael, thanks for sticking around the POV, your life must be so hectic right now.

    A little late but thanks to Rick for his outstanding piece the other day.

    Where have you been Wlat? and Bernie to. I know BigB is busy right now with family and Eric has pizza on his mind I guess. Hope all is great with you guys.

    …..and in the category of “nobody surprised” we heard from “Hurleys Dad” today. He ain’t no UPitt.

    ike out
    H2P

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I’m glad to see Serena and Cam will be there to help out. I was wondering how we could play with only 8 players. I will be there anyway….

      Liked by 1 person

  64. Pitt women’s volleyball playing Ohio State this Saturday at the Fitz. I tried to post a link, but you know what happens when I do that. Richard, please help AGAIN!

    Pitt will only have 10 players at the disposal. Do not expect much. We have some very good freshmen coming and a serviceable graduate middle blocker as well for next year.

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  65. New POW at Pitt announced right from my back yard. Adam Howawitz from Valley View HS in NE Pa. A 6’5″ TE. The kid played QB at VV until his senior season and his dad was the HC at VV. Pitt can use all the help it can get at TE. Here is hoping he ends up as another Pitt success story from the walk on group.

    Liked by 2 people

  66. So I was able to get to the POV for the first time in awhile tonight. My buddy Ike was asking about my whereabouts.

    Back to back surgeries on March 6 for removal of cancer from scalp and then a total scalp reconstruction on March 7 will do that. Hospitalization and early recovery process has been like watching a Stallings coached hoops team: difficult, and sometimes painful. When the dust settles, I’m going to challenge Upitt and Richman for the best bald head in the POV.

    Part of my surgery involved the doc taking a strip of muscle from my back to put into my scalp. He told me to expect this to have a significant effect on my golf game. “You can try”, he said.

    Well, I’ll be trying. You can be darn sure that Wlat will be appearing at Champion Lakes on June 24 to attempt to defend his share of the title from last fall. So long as my radiation treatment does not get in the way.

    Looking forward to seeing the Hall of Fame members of the POV then, if not before.

    Hail to Pitt!

    Liked by 14 people

    1. Wow – now that is a tough month. Your humor and positive attitude is refreshing, to say the least.

      Welcome back and your Stallings reference gets my vote for best post for the month of March.

      I’ll pencil you in for Champion Lakes on June 24th.

      Let me know if I can do anything for you during recovery as I live in central PA, much closer than the Yinzer PA guys and gals.

      Liked by 5 people

    3. Ah man, I had a feeling. Sorry you had to go through more bad luck . Sometimes it makes you ask questions but like I say, we must keep the faith! Good luck buddy, I wish you well.

      Liked by 1 person

    4. Eric – So sorry to hear what you went through and are going through. Don’t know how you do it, but keep that amazing attitude going.
      Thoughts, prayers and best wishes for you.

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  67. Wlat, here’s hoping you make a complete recovery, and I’m told the ladies really like bald headed guys- the world’s sexiest men!

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  68. Eric, sent you my best in private. My knee is fixed and I’m playing very good golf. Just joined a new golf club. If any of you are in MD call ahead and I’ll set up a tee time.
    Rick .. I owe you three rounds!
    I’ll be at the POV golf tourney even if you tee off at 5AM!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s a good article.

      -OT Baer is 6’7” and 335 pounds and he’s only 19! Sounds pretty sensible too.

      -And the WR hinting that they struggled trying to run the offense last season. While I find that infuriating, I suppose it gives hope that the offense may be a bit better this season…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Why would you find that infuriating? It was a new offense. That is one of the problems with West Coast offenses. They are complicated and take a long time to install. Even in the pro’s. The RPO offenses are much easier to install if you have the right personnel. So, if you replace an RPO coach with another RPO coach, it won’t take long. Regardless, if you ran a pro-style previously, installing a new pro-style will take time.

        I hate it. But it is what it is. Fraud Graham ruined the RPO for Pitt. That was the time to change. The problem now is that it’s tough to go from a pro-style to RPO. Once it’s done you are fine but the personnel are completely different.

        Every time we get a new OC it takes a while for the new pro-style offense to take hold. Every single time.

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  71. OT — Couple tidbits on women’s basketball coaching moves:
    -Michigan State hired Bowling Green’s head coach;
    -West Virginia’s coach left to take the Minnesota job.

    No info on the Pitt coaching vacancy that I have seen…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  72. If you do nothing else this weekend, you have to watch the best college women’s basketball player I’ve ever seen in Iowa’s Caitlin Clark! She had 41 points 8 assists and 5 rebounds as she and a bunch of farm girls from Iowa upset last year champs S Carolina, 42 games won in a row with 6’7, 6’6 and 6’5 underneath. !

    They were an12.5 point underdog. They played the best triangle and two defense I’ve ever seen. Next game Sunday vs LSU for the National Championship! God I love basketball !!!!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I watched some of that game. Clark scored 41 of Iowa’s 77 points (53%), even though she had a rough day from three, going only 5 of 17.

      Her ability to get past defenders for layups is impressive.

      Iowa shows what you can do with just one or two really good players…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

    2. Being from South Carolina, I watched the game. I completely agree that Caitlin Clark is something else. What was amazing is that she was blowing by some pretty good defensive guards.

      Another surprise about the upset was that Iowa won without being very effective from three-point land!

      As danh72 pointed out, the key to the game besides Clark was the low post defense. While Iowa couldn’t stop the offensive rebounds by South Carolina a lot, they slowed them down just barely enough to win.

      Carolina believed they were going to win the game right down until it was over. Got to hand it to Iowa! Hope they take it all on Sunday.

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  75. Iowa’s Clark either scored or assisted on every point Iowa scored in the 4th quarter.
    She had an awesome game.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. 11-7 in the bottom of the 7th with Duke at bat and in the lead.

      Pitching? Who needs it…

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  81. Annie or anyone who attended the Pitt Women’s volleyball match today, we need a report. Does Dalton look healthy? How did Jepsen look in the middle?

    Pitt won the match by the way, 3-1 over Ohio State! Way to go Panthers!

    Liked by 2 people

  83. I just read a Q & A session on Rivals with coach Powell about the RB’s and Punters.

    No mention of C’Bo – it appears by the answers that besides Hammond, Pitt is very thin at RB.

    A question was asked if Daniel Carter would get a shot to play tailback (it was mentioned by the reporter that Daniel told reporters that he wanted to play TB). Powell completely avoided answering the question.

    Also, no mention of the Aussie punter. Coach Powell seems disappointed with the new transfer’s hang time – he (Yurk) kicks with a lot of distance but not good hang time. Junko seems like he has the early lead for the starting position.

    Competition at punter – I’d like to know more about DE and LB competition. The reporters have not been invited in to the Saturday scrimmages. In fact, daily they only see the punters practice and the QB’s warm up their arms.

    If I was an independent reporter, I’d skip practice and write about other sports that allow access. Most of these reporters get paid to do almost nothing.

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    1. Pitt is fine at RB. We know what C’Bo can do and Davis looks powerful in videos. The true freshman fromGeorgia is opening eyes too. He busted a long run in one of the scrimmage videos. I’m much more concerned about the receivers.

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  84. Sports “reporting” is dead in this town.
    Most either read what they are told or simply opine.
    Neither are worth my time.
    I listen to Zeise for entertainment…and of course read the POV. 😎

    Liked by 1 person

  85. Hurley has UConn is the NCAA Championship in 5 years. Capel has one winning season in 5 years.

    Eric – Praying for you buddy. Hoping you are on the road to recovery!

    Like

    1. Hurley was never taking the Pitt job. He knew UConn is more committed to winning and how the school will look the other way at transgressions, as it did for years under Calhoun. If Ollie would have won more he’d still be coaching even with his cheating.

      At Pitt, Capel has to deal with players getting in trouble and being immediately suspended because it is guilty until proven innocent under the almighty Mission Statement.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I’m curious if others share the opinion in paragraph 2. In particular, in reference to the DJ situation. The accusation was bad and by all reports it was valid. It’s hard to say that allegations of crimes should be taken case by case, but IMO, there is no way a player who assaulted a woman and held her against her will should play. I hope he stays at Pitt and is getting whatever kind of help he needs to prevent that sort of behavior from ever happening again. But in this specific case, I was 100% in favor of him sitting this season.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. If it was true what he had done Dior would’ve been escorted off campus in less than five minutes. And what about her stalking him? She followed him to three different states. Makes what she would say happened less credible.

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          1. So she battered herself then, gave herself bruises on her stomach and face and gave herself a concussion? If she was stalking him, you call the police and file a restraining order. Your response is disturbing, I have to say.

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    2. here’s the record of the previous coach he followed:
      Connecticut/UConn: 127–79 (.617) 59–49 (.546)

      you think that might have played any part?

      or this: he’s at a University where they(UConn) FULLY support the only significant sports program at the school

      .
      that said, I’d take Hurley over Capel at Pitt, and don’t think I’ll go back on that with whatever future success each has ahead

      are they paid similarly?

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  86. As a coach, I would not have stayed in the game with one of the worst phantom double tech calls I’ve ever seen on Iowa!!! Maybe worst ever. Putting both Iowa stars w 4 founds.
    The fix is in for LSU

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  87. If I was the opposing coach to LSU, I’d wear a sequined Liberace outfit just to show up Mulkehey from LSU!

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  88. I think you’re right Dan. I just turned the game on, and the broadcast didn’t even re-show the 5th foul charge call on Czano knocking her out the game.

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  89. PSN reporting Pitt interested in UMass women’s BB Coach – Tory Verdi. He was at Eastern Mich when HL was there. I don’t like that connection – even thou this guy has had some success.

    Apparently we were interested in the BG Coach, who was hired by Mich. State.

    I’d rather see a women as Coach – just makes sense to me…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  90. Iowa wasn’t going to win. It was a horrible matchup for them. I’d go anywhere to see Catlain Clark play!
    Still hate to see the obvious biased phantom calls against them while allowing LSU to maul all game long.

    Watched the Bucs play all 3 games. What a pathetic display of offense against the worst team in baseball!
    Another Hillbilly Prince special !!

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  91. Went on a cruise…it pretty much sucked. But played the slots… and won The Grand Prize! Beer is on me at the first POV Tailgate in September. Thinking about donating enough to Pitt to create the “Reed Kohberger Search for a New Football Head Coach Fund”.

    Just kidding! About the search fund that is, I did win the slots prize. BTW – my approach to gambling is that I don’t play anything that I can blame my decision making for losing.

    Annie wrote a great article about the Pitt women’s volleyball team scrimmage. I’ll post that up sometime today – it was very well written and very detailed.

    Liked by 4 people

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