Pitt’s Deslin Alexandre, Cal Adomitis named to Wuerffel watch list
Two Pitt players have been honored for their off-the-field feats that match what they already have accomplished on the field. Seniors Cal Adomitis and Deslin Alexandre were named Thursday to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, annually presented to the college football player who is unsurpassed in his community...
Pitt punter Kirk Christodoulou named to Ray Guy watch list
Pittsburgh senior punter Kirk Christodoulou, a Ray Guy Award semifinalist and second team All-American by Pro Football Focus in 2020, has been named to the Guy preseason watch list. Christodoulou, a native of Melbourne, Australia, has been Pitt’s regular punter since 2018, and is coming off his best season a...
Justin Champagnie could be 1st Pitt player drafted by NBA team since 2014
These are the moments that drove Justin Champagnie from a place he loves. The NBA Draft is Thursday night, and the former Pitt sophomore forward is among those players under serious consideration to be one of the 60 who are chosen. The 30-team NBA conducts only two rounds. If he...
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett approaches name recognition opportunities by paying them forward
When the NCAA loosened restrictions on athletes profiting from their names and reputations, Kenny Pickett said he planned to proceed cautiously. I love this community! Excited to announce I have teamed up with @PGTTrucking & @Ithen_USA to form "Pickett’s Partners" & on Aug. 9 we will donate 200 t-shirts to...
Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey named to Nagurski watch list
Pitt sophomore defensive tackle Calijah Kancey received more preseason recognition Tuesday when he was named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation’s top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America. Kancey was previously named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik...
8 Clemson players named to Preseason All-ACC team; Pitt shut out
Clemson is one of 14 teams in the ACC, but eight Tigers players comprise 30% of the 27-man All-ACC preseason football team, announced Tuesday by the conference. Also, North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell was voted the favorite to win ACC Player of the Year in an overwhelming vote of confidence...
Pitt picked to finish fourth in ACC Coastal
Despite the return of fifth-year senior quarterback Kenny Pickett and 14 other starters from 2020, Pitt was picked to finish fourth in the seven-team ACC Coastal, according to a preseason poll of 147 media voters. The Panthers did receive one first-place vote, however. North Carolina, the preseason choice to win...
Pitt tight end Lucas Krull named to John Mackey Watch List
Once an MLB draft choice, Lucas Krull continues to be recognized as a college football tight end, earning a second consecutive spot on the John Mackey Award Watch List. Krull, 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, was injured and missed most of the 2020 season, with only one catch for 6 yards against...
Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison named to Biletnikoff Watch List
No longer a newcomer, Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison will be asked to hoist a heavier load this year as one of the top pass catchers in the ACC. He’ll enter his sophomore season as one of eight ACC players named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, presented...
Pitt notebook: Pat Narduzzi says players can improve their brand by staying out of trouble
Pat Narduzzi keeps a sheet of paper in his office that he considers just as important as any page in the playbook. On it, Pitt’s football coach keeps track of off-the-field problems that arise involving college athletes around the country. Occasionally, he takes it out and share its contents with...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi looks at the changes in college football and declares, ‘This is crazy’
The boy who used to wait eagerly at the kitchen table for his father to come home from practice so they could talk college football now wonders what’s happened to the game he loves. That boy grew up to be Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi. The 55-year-old son of a coach...
New ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips ready to confront problems of transfers, NIL, covid
In his first five months on the job, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips has been confronted with three unprecedented challenges: • The NCAA transfer portal, and its effect on football and basketball rosters and recruiting. • Dealing with players seeking exposure and financial gain through name, image and likeness opportunities. •...
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, Calijah Kancey named to preseason watch lists for Maxwell, Bednarik Awards
Two Pitt players — one on each side of the ball — attracted national attention Monday when quarterback Kenny Pickett and sophomore defensive tackle Calijah Kancey were named to watch lists for the Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Awards. The Maxwell is awarded to the college player of the year;...
33 years later, Pitt gets a return match with Vanderbilt
Pitt will get another shot at Vanderbilt this basketball season — even if it is 33 years too late. The schools announced Monday a two-game series that will begin this season. The Panthers will host first, welcoming Vanderbilt to Petersen Events Center on Nov. 24. Pitt will visit Nashville, Tenn.,...
Ex-Pitt forward Justin Champagnie said he expects to be drafted, but knows that’s only the beginning
Justin Champagnie said the thought hasn’t crossed his mind. Yet, when presented Thursday with the possibility that he might not be among the 60 players drafted into the NBA on July 29, the former Pitt forward had a well-considered answer. Speaking from the Petersen Events Center on a conference call...
Pitt rewards men’s soccer coach Jay Vidovich with contract extension through 2025
Pitt coupled success with stability in its men’s soccer program Wednesday, announcing a contract extension that will keep coach Jay Vidovich with the team at least through the 2025 season. Vidovich, a five-time ACC Coach of the Year, led Pitt to the best season in its 67-year history in a...
Pitt’s Jimbo Covert: Waiting 20 years to reach Pro Football Hall ‘makes it so much sweeter’
From his humble upbringing in the small Beaver County borough of Freedom, Jimbo Covert has reached a lofty station in life on many levels: • Successful businessman • Pitt Board of Trustees member • Pro Football Hall of Famer (when he is inducted Aug. 7 with the 2020 Centennial Class)...
Pitt pitcher Mitch Myers picked by the A’s in 12th round
Pitt pitcher Mitch Myers, who threw a complete-game, three-hitter to defeat Virginia and two months later led the Panthers to a 5-3 victory against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament, was picked in the 12th round of the MLB Draft on Tuesday. Myers, a junior right-hander, was the 368th overall...
Pitt adds offensive lineman Bradley Mann to its 2022 recruiting class
Pitt’s 2022 recruiting class grew to 12 members Sunday night when three-star lineman Bradley Mann announced his verbal commitment to the Panthers. I am very blessed and thankful for the opportunities that I have had. To my parents, teammates, coaches, family, and friends thank you for being a part of...
Tim Benz: NCAA needs to be fixed, not eliminated. Focus on solutions, not fake outrage
This happens from time to time at “Breakfast With Benz.” I get an email, tweet or a post in the comments section that I want to use for “U mad, bro?” However, sometimes that comment itself gets me mad enough that I find myself writing a response so long, it...
WPIAL graduates give back by organizing, working football clinic in WilkinsburgVideo
The voice was as loud and distinctive as it was during his three seasons at Pitt. Only, this time, it was a bit playful. Clearly, Paris Ford was enjoying himself. A few boys weren’t getting in a straight enough line to suit Ford, one of five NFL players with WPIAL...
Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star team: Tyreese Fearbry, Perry
The Tribune-Review and the TribLive High School Sports Network are profiling each member of the 25-player Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star team. The players will be recognized July 22 during HSSN Media Day at Kennywood Park. When Tyreese Fearbry stands next to Pat Narduzzi — and you can bet Pitt’s...
Kenny Pickett, Jeff Capel advise caution while entering new world of name, image, likeness
Kenny Pickett awakens most mornings with the same routine — brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, work out, continue preparing for the 2021 football season. He didn’t change anything Thursday, but Pickett’s world surely did on the first day the NCAA gave its official blessing for student-athletes across the U.S....
Pitt basketball notebook: Senior guard Jamarius Burton eligible right away
Coach Jeff Capel said Thursday that the NCAA has approved a transfer waiver for Pitt senior guard Jamarius Burton, who is transferring for the second time in his collegiate career. Because of his second transfer, Burton needed the waiver to be eligible this season. Pitt is Burton’s third school in...
Pitt builds support platform to help athletes with their name, image and likeness branding
After Gov. Tom Wolf signed name, image and likeness legislation into the next state budget Wednesday, Pitt has introduced a program designed to help its student-athletes maximize their brand. Pitt’s athletic department announced the formation of Forged Here, a program that will equip Pitt student-athletes with knowledge and resources to...
