First Call: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert resigns from RMU board as backlash continues over hockey cuts; NFL’s new European plan
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In Tuesday’s “First Call,” the decision to cut Robert Morris’ hockey teams may have soured a relationship with the Steelers general manager. We celebrate a Penguins anniversary. A superb ending in the NCAA men’s lacrosse final. And how the Steelers may expand their brand in Europe.
Checking out
On Monday, the Colonial Sports Network reported that Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert stepped down from the Robert Morris board of trustees in the wake of the school’s decision to cut men’s and women’s hockey.
When reached for comment, RMU spokesperson Jonathan Potts responded via text confirming that Colbert is no longer on the board and added, “We are certainly grateful for the time he served on the board and the substantial support he has given the university over the years.”
We are awaiting comment from Colbert — a noted hockey fan — as to what went into his reasoning for resignation. But multiple sources have said his decision was tied to the recent elimination of the programs.
Since the school made its announcement about disbanding hockey on Thursday, Pittsburgh area NHL player Stephen Johns, former Penguin Beau Bennett and 1980 Team USA Olympic hero Mike Eruzione have all jumped on the Twitter bandwagon supporting the resurrection of the programs.
Robert Morris University: SAVE Robert Morris Hockey https://t.co/RpvSZasSne via @Change
— MIKE ERUZIONE (@MERUZIONE) May 27, 2021
— Beau Bennett (@BeauBennett19) May 31, 2021
“However, this is the best course of action to leverage our strategic assets and position us for future growth.” ????????? https://t.co/v8BhULYgVb
— Stephen Johns (@stjohns28) May 29, 2021
The entire Robert Morris Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) decried the administration’s decision.
We appreciate our fellow student athletes as we #RMUnite and stand together in the fight to reinstate the hockey programs. pic.twitter.com/oSH7QZutIa
— Michaela Boyle (@michaelaboyle16) May 29, 2021
Former team captain Chris Kushneriuk sent out a series of posts reminding followers how the team raised money for his cancer recovery. He criticized the administration for refusing to give the program a chance to fundraise to save itself before it was chopped from next year’s athletics schedule.
1/6 This message is for @ChrisKingAD and @DrChrisHoward RE: the decision to abruptly cut the @RMUMHockey and @RMUWHockey: I’m a graduated former captain of the Men’s program from (2008-2011). Without being sappy, the Men’s program saved my life when it looked to be over… pic.twitter.com/oIPYASaQJo
— Chris Kushneriuk (@stonecoldkush) June 1, 2021
And Murry Gunty of Blackstreet Capital Holdings and Black Bear Sports Group has made an online offer to buy the RMU Island Sports Center and make it a permanent home for the Colonials.
I will buy the rink if the school will sell it to us and we will make sure @RMUMHockey and @RMUWHockey have a permanent home to play. @_BBSG. https://t.co/JatAQWAris
— murry gunty (@MurryGunty) May 30, 2021
RMU hasn’t made President Dr. Charles Howard available for questions on the matter from either the players or the media.
Across the pond
According to Peter King in this week’s “Football Morning in America,” the NFL has cooled on the idea of permanently putting a franchise somewhere in Europe.
Instead, the league wants to further root itself in non-U.S. markets “by expanding the schedule overseas by mandating every team play at least one game every eight years outside the United States.”
The NFL also wants each team to have the chance to be the “home team” for a foreign market.
One natural connection that was made is the Steelers in Dublin. Another is potentially Jacksonville in London.
Look familiar?
If Game 7 of the Penguins Stanley Cup Final win in 2009 could be reincarnated as a lacrosse game, it’d be this.
Watch Virginia goalie Alex Rode make this game-saving stop with the final seconds ticking away at the end of the 2021 NCAA lacrosse final Monday afternoon.
Virginia holds off in the final moments ?
? @espn #NCAAMLAX x @UVAMensLax pic.twitter.com/VIKSHghQZy
— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) May 31, 2021
OK, it wasn’t Marc-Andre Fleury in Detroit. But it was pretty good.
On this day in 2009, @Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made an incredible last second stop to secure the #StanleyCup in Game 7! ? pic.twitter.com/yIDaaYQgLv
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) June 12, 2017
That nailed down a 17-16 victory for the Cavaliers. It’s their second consecutive NCAA title.
Remember this next year
Since we’re flashing back to the good ol’ days for the Penguins, Tuesday is a special one.
We’ve done a lot of 30th anniversary reminiscing about the 1991 Stanley Cup team this year. Well, 29 years ago Tuesday (June 1, 1992), the ‘92 club was celebrating its Cup-clinching moment by outscoring the Chicago Blackhawks 6-5 to complete a sweep in the Cup Final.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Full coverage from the 1992 Stanley Cup Final: https://t.co/desnW4z6W0 pic.twitter.com/NU3S9IvFFB
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 30, 2020
The Penguins got six goals from six different goal scorers. Jaromir Jagr, Kevin Stevens, Mario Lemieux, Rick Tocchet, Larry Murphy and Ron Francis all found the back of the net during the game. Dirk Graham had a hat trick in defeat for the Blackhawks. Jeremy Roenick had the other two goals.
Lemieux won his second consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy, totaling 34 points in 15 games.