Time for another Volvo Challenge. The contest is a mix of popularity — so remember to go and vote for me in Volvo’s Biggest Fan in the Big East— and by winning challenges. Also, this weekend when College GameDay and Louisville are coming to Pittsburgh for the Saturday night game, it is my Volvo sponsored trip back to Pitt. I’m planning to be at Hemingway’s before the game along with other Pitt bloggers — probably around 6. Please try and make it by to have a beer with us.
This challenge is a rather simple question that was asked.
What are the best traditions for your alma mater and why?
Thanks for the input last week. It’s a simple question, yet also a little vexing to me. It didn’t help that my mood when working on the draft last week wasn’t the best.
Pitt is celebrating its 225th anniversary this year. One of the oldest universities in the country, and second in Pennsylvania behind Penn. Yet thinking about traditions for Pitt seems to be limited. So many have faded as noted, and I don’t necessarily mind that.
By far my favorite tradition remains the victory lights. When Pitt wins, the top of the cathedral are bathed in golden lights.
It can be seen throughout Pittsburgh, and serves as the guide to bring drunk students home that night.
Lantern Night isn’t exactly a guy thing, or a sports-related event. Yet is one of the better traditions at Pitt.
Lantern Night is a poignant tradition that symbolizes the passing of knowledge from one generation of women to the next at the University of Pittsburgh. The ceremony takes place at Heinz Chapel in August before the start of the fall semester. Each of the participating woman receives a lantern that is lit by one of the Pitt alumnae symbolizing the “light of learning”. When the ceremony is finished, the group proceeds from Heinz Chapel to the Cathedral of Learning with the glowing lanterns.
It does seem like a fire hazard.
It really is quite a sight to see and one I hope my daughter will be a participant in 9 years.
The Oakland Zoo came after my time — unfortunately. They have established themselves as one of the top student cheering sections in college basketball. Loud, able to get into the players head as they are there way before the start of the game. Heckling the opposing players during warm-ups. They stand before the game starts and do not sit down until Pitt gets their first bucket.
Among my friends, a tradition is that before at least one home game every year, we meet in Oakland. Not at our friend’s place in the Southside where we usually gather beforehand. Not right at Heinz Field or outside the Pete. Just meet at a spot in Oakland to walk. Wander the campus. Take in the memories. When you are going for a game, it can be so easy to just go in and back out. Even for the basketball games at the Pete. You fight through the traffic. Find your parking spot. Get into the Pete, then leave afterwards. Maybe at best stop somewhere before or after for a beer or a bite. But taking that extra time to actually walk around the campus. Especially with friends. That’s something else.
It’s the biggest part of why I love Pitt, Pitt athletics and do this blog. The friends I made at Pitt. The people I’ve gotten to know because of Pitt sports. The more people I know through Pitt. Become friends and acquaintances through Pitt. The stronger are my ties to Pit.
