That’s the big thing of the day, isn’t it? The new logo and football unis at 11 am (anyone know if Fox Sports is doing it live?), and of course Wannstedt meets the students tonight.
That’s the theme to tomorrow night’s meet and greet with new head football coach Dave Wannstedt at the Petersen Events Center, which will also feature the unveiling of the new Panther logo to students — an updated version of the old Pitt script.
The official announcement and unveiling is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the UPMC Sports Complex in South Side.
The Panther Pitt, football’s version of the Oakland Zoo, has, with cooperation with Pitt athletics, set up an evening with Wannstedt for students.
Wannstedt is scheduled to speak to the students and then walk around to greet the students personally, much like Jamie Dixon did in his meet and greet.
…
There will be free T-shirts featuring the newly released Panther logo for the first 500 students. Free Panther rally towels will be handed out as well.A raffle will determine who wins a new Pitt helmet, with the new logo, autographed by Wannstedt. The raffle prizes also include season tickets and other Pitt apparel.
Season tickets will be on sale at the event to keep students from having to pay the $5 online handling fee that is applied to students. Plus, it’s a chance to jump ahead of the game.
[Emphasis added.] Hmm. Looks like they are really ready to roll on the new logo. Think the Pitt website will get an immediate relaunch today? Reader, and occasional correspondent, Jamie has his guess for the appearance.
Otherwise a mostly quiet story day. The Pittsburgh papers combine for only one story. Offensive Line Coach Paul Dunn gets his puff piece today. The angle is restoring the line to its glory days when Dunn was a player at Pitt.
Dunn, 44, arrived with the ‘P’ for Pitt practically plastered on his forehead. One of his greatest inspirations — aside from his father, Ronald — was the late and legendary Pitt line coach, Joe Moore.
“I’m a firm believer in tradition,” Dunn said. “You have to remind young people of the great tradition at this institution. If I can relay a story or two that can help these kids understand that this is a special place, it’s all worthwhile.”
By all accounts, Dunn isn’t shy about relaying such stories.
“He tries to sneak one in every day,” said tackle Charles Spencer.
Unfortunately, Dunn would not relent when pressed for some off-the-field stories from his senior year in 1982, when he lived with quarterback Dan Marino and tackle Jimbo Covert in a Shadyside apartment, at the corner of Fifth and Shady Avenues.
“Those are probably buried forever,” Dunn said, laughing. “Danny and Jimbo kind of graduated a little bit after that (to NFL stardom). I look back and say, ‘Wow, that might have been the nicest place I ever lived.’ “
Given the rumors that helped drop Marino’s draft stock, I’m guessing there were some good times.
Coach Dave Wannstedt gets another profile piece. This time in the Philadelphia Inquirer. This piece does a lot of comparisons to former Head Coach Walt Harris.
Harris, frequently described as aloof toward alumni, administration and the team’s defensive players, never was a popular figure in this football-mad part of the state. Wannstedt, on the other hand, has been a public-relations coup for a university – and city – that cherishes its own.
“We lived what the students are going through,” said new offensive line coach Paul Dunn, a roommate of quarterback Dan Marino’s when they attended Pitt. “From an alumni standpoint, people understand that we walked the same footsteps that the youngsters are going to walk.”
Harris seemed to have little time for socializing. Wannstedt, on the other hand, was seen last week in the middle of spring workouts, shaking hands with high school coaches and school administrators who were at the practice facility.
“Dave has a way about him,” said former Pitt all-American offensive tackle Bill Fralic, the team’s radio color analyst last season. “He is reaching out and touching the community, particularly high school coaches.”
Although he has the reputation of a defensive specialist, Wannstedt is involved in every aspect of the program.
“It’s different having a true head coach,” said linebacker Brian Bennett, a graduate of Holy Cross High in Delran who is competing for a starting spot. “He goes to every meeting for every position and oversees everything. The other coach was pretty much an offensive guy.”
I’m not big on bashing Harris after he’s gone. It just seems unfair and unnecessary, especially with what Coach Wannstedt brings. It’s going to happen, though, and if Pitt does well this year it will likely increase. It will also mean the inevitable “Harris happy for team’s success” story during the season.
Final story is a puff piece on the punter and kicker — Adam Graessle and Josh Cummings.
They’re more like Laurel and Hardy than Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but Josh Cummings and Adam Graessle definitely are two of a kind for the University of Pittsburgh football team.
And if last year’s performances are an indication, Cummings and Graessle will be a pair of aces this season.
Cummings, a place-kicker from California, and Graessle, a punter and kickoff specialist from Ohio, are reigning first-team All-Big East Conference performers with even higher expectations this fall.
The article mentions the number of blocked punts but indicates the fault was more with the blocking then the amount of time taken by Graessle. I know Pat disagreed with that during the season.
