Pittsburgh Sports Report January 2014

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The Code Respect among NHL players is disappearing

Pittsburgh Sports Report BY JOEL PERETIC

There is a code. Most won’t acknowledge it and some may not subscribe to it, but it exists. It’s a bigger secret than boosters paying college athletes, and worse-kept than Jim Balsille’s plans to buy and relocate an NHL franchise. “I don’t know where you get that word ‘code’ or who said it,” the Penguins Pascal Dupuis said when asked about it. “There is a way to play the game and I don’t know if you call it that, but it should be with respect and intensity. Sometimes there are unfortunate incidents that happen.” Players and coaches will never reveal what specifics are universally accepted in the unwritten rule of NHL respect, but it is something like this: harass a superstar, run a goaltender or headshot a skater, and you will have to answer for it. Or, at least, that’s what the code used to be. Now it more resembles facing an on -ice assault for so much as love-tapping an opponent’s star forward, mediocre defenseman or even call-up grinder. “If a player delivered a legal body check in open ice, the victim's teammates would remind him to keep his

Physical play in the NHL is drawing different reactions from today’s players.

head up,” USA Today hockey scribe Kevin Allen said of the old code. “Maybe the next time the victim had the opportunity, he would deliver a similar body check to his assailant.” Thanks to seven bans in seven midDecember days, there have been nearly 30 suspensions handed out by Brendan Shanahan this season. Compare that see NHL PAGE 6

INSIDE

January 2014 VOL. 17 NO. 12

ALISON RISKE Peters Township native is a rising star in women’s tennis

PURE STEEL NFL Goes Hi-Tech PAGE 5

BLUE LINE The Code PAGE 6

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ON CAMPUS PAGE 12

U. S. Steel has been a part of Pennsylvania history for more than 100 years. We began making steel here in 1901 and remain committed to building our future in Pennsylvania, while striving to meet and set world-class standards in everything we do.

PSR INTERVIEW

UP CLOSE DOUG DRABEK Twenty-one seasons has passed between the last two Pirates playoff games, but Doug Drabek was on the mound for both. The former Pirates ace and Cy Young Award winner started and pitched a gem in Game 7 of the team's ill-fated NLCS contest against the Atlanta Braves in

1992, and he threw out the first pitch of the Bucs' Wild Card victory over Cincinnati last October. PSR Editor Tony DeFazio caught up with Drabek, now a minor league pitching coach in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, shortly before Christmas.

“Leyland would air you out and get on you, but either that night after the game or the next day, he’d come up to you and talk about it.� -Doug Drabek Tony: You returned to Pittsburgh in

October to throw out the first pitch for the Wild Card game between the Pirates and Reds, and received a tremendous standing ovation. What was that feeling like? Doug: I didn’t really go into it expecting one thing or another, but it was nice going out there. I know they were excited and it was a very good feeling to hear that noise when I walked out there and to actually feel it. That’s the loudest I’ve ever heard it. Obviously I didn’t play in that stadium, but that was the loudest I’ve heard that crowd, and it was exciting. Tony: Fans felt like that ‘92 team was

definitely the end of something in Pittsburgh baseball—did the players have any sense of that? Doug: I don’t think we went into the season like that, especially toward the end when we knew we were going to be in the playoffs and stuff. Players knew that there was a chance that some guys could be leaving or not asked back, whatever it may be.

Unless each individual inside was thinking it, it wasn’t a big thing that was talked about. Sure it was mentioned through reporters and things like that, so obviously the players knew but I think we really went into it as we would have any other season —just wanting to win. And toward the end, especially in the playoffs, it was that way. So players had an idea, but you just didn’t know. Tony: Jim Leyland just retired from

baseball. Did he always have that oldschool feel to him as a manager? Doug: To me, he had an old-school feel to him when I got there. But he did it in a way where he was very loose and kind of let you be you, within guidelines. Not that he was strict or anything, but he was very free for the players. He was open to them, honest and he let you be yourself but there has to be that line between playermanager and player-coach. The thing about him was he let you know right away—don’t cross it and we’re going to be good. And you were never really

in the doghouse with him—he may air you out and get on you, but either that night after the game or the next day, he’d come up to you and talk about it, and say, “Do you see what I was talking about?� And he allowed you to talk with him and give your opinion too. When I got there, we had a bunch of young and inexperienced guys and I think that, because over the years we kept that same basic core group together, he was able to get the most out of the players. Everybody trusted him, believed in him and when you’ve got that formula, now you’ve got players that want to play for you. Tony: Did you ever go through any-

thing on the baseball diamond that compared to that Game 7 in Atlanta? Doug: No, not really. Not in that kind of situation, a Game 7 playoff game to go to the World Series, no. Throughout your career, you play long enough and you’ll have certain games here and there where the unthinkable happens, but it might be in the beginning

or the middle of the season, so at the time it’s just one of those things where you come to the park the next day and you try to forget about it. That one there, at that time... it kind of sticks with you. Tony: Is there one moment in your

career that stands out as a favorite? Doug: In ‘90, when we clinched in St.

Louis, that’s the one I usually say. That’s the first time, with the exception of a few guys—like Walkie or Van Slyke, guys who had been with playoff teams—90 percent of that team had never gone through anything like that. For most of us, that was our fourth year together and for the first few years I was there we were battling to stay out of the cellar. So for that to happen for the first time for those guys at that level, it really sticks out in my mind. A lot of guys play for a lot of years and never even get the chance to be in the playoffs, so that’s really why it sticks out in my mind.

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EDITOR’S DESK 40 Lincoln Way Suite 301 North Huntingdon PA 15642-1887 412.469.9717 Fax 412.469.9847 1.800.945.SPORTS (7767) www.pittsburghsportsreport.com E-mail: tdefazio@psrpt.com

PUBLISHER Ellis G. Cannon

BUSINESS MANAGER Larry Appolonia

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Michael Betters

EDITOR Tony DeFazio tdefazio@psrpt.com

SENIOR MEDICAL ADVISER DJ Phillips, MD Sam Akhavan, MD Allegheny General Hospital

WEBMASTER Tom Ballas BNS Web Creations

BEAT WRITERS Nate Barnes, Adam Bittner, Scott Kromko, Anthony Jaskulski, John Krysinsky, Alex Nseir, Joel Peretic, Eric Shultz, Kenneth Torgent

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cody Benjamin, Steve Flinn, Chris Galiszewski, Guilio Gasparin, Kurt Hackimer, Kelley Anne McGrath, Tyler Pecyna, Anthony Priore, Erika Schneider, Taylor Skaggs, George Von Benko

TONY DEFAZIO PSR EDITOR

There was considerable panic last month when baseball's winter meetings ended and the Pirates failed to significantly upgrade their roster. They did add a fifth starter in Edinson Volquez, upgrade their catching depth with Chris Stewart, solidifiythe infield by bringing back Clint Barmes, and fortify the rotation by signing Charlie Morton for three more seasons. The Volquez signing, though, caused some anguish: I thought they were going to trade for David Price. I'd rather have Bartolo Colon. They should have given that money to A.J. No, Volquez is not Price. Nor is he A.J. Burnett. He's not Colon either, evidenced by Colon's cost being four times as much as that of Volquez. But if Volquez can reproduce the numbers be posted in his brief stint with the Dodgers late last season, then

Relax the Pirates have added a quality fifth starter to what is a much-improved starting rotation over what they had entering last season. Remember, Jeff Locke was an AllStar last year. He's now a long-shot to make the Pirates' rotation. But back to the winter panic. Relax. The Pirates’ roster, or even their lineup, will never be fully constituted by Christmas. It was not the case two years ago when they first sniffed .500 and it wasn’t the case last year when they blew past that mark and won three postseason games. The Pirates will continue to shape their roster and lineup well past the winter meetings and even into the start of spring training. It wasn't until after last year's winter meetings that the Pirates got involved with Francisco Liriano. And it wasn't until spring training was underway in 2012 that A.J. Burnett was acquired from the Yankees. The Pirates can't and won't get

Contents

Januar y 2014 Vol. 17, No.12

DEPARTMENTS

PSR FOCUS

FILM CREW Shelby Cassesse, Andrew Havranek, Taylor Duncan, Nick Frost

3

1 THE CODE Has the age-old “code” of hockey changed in today’s NHL?

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHERS Charles LeClaire, Justin Berl

NFL stadiums go wi-fi

Aaron Doster, William McBride, Kris Mellinger, Vincent Pugliese, Nick Susnjer, Ronald Vezzani Jr.

8 LOCAL SCENE Peters Township native Alison Riske

10 WWE Wrestling with bullying

12 ON CAMPUS Penn State football

Penn State Moves On

4 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • JANUARY 2014

UP CLOSE WITH PSR Doug Drabek

4

EDITOR’S DESK Tony say relax

5 PURE STEEL

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Pittsburgh Sports Report is published 12 times annually by Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc. a Pennsylvania business corporation, Norwin Professional Building, 40 Lincoln Way, Suite 301, Irwin PA 15642-1887. Distribution at selected outlets. This and every issue of Pittsburgh Sports Report, and all contents therein, are subject to copyright protection held by Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc. (“Corp. 2014 Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc.”).

caught up in any whirlwind of free agent signings or trades. They can't and won't enter the kind of bidding wars that result in two-year, $16 million contracts for Marlon Byrd or two-year, $20 million deals for Bartolo Colon. If they do, everything they built over the past five years drops more suddenly than a Frankie Liriano slider. What they do have to do is continue to draft, sign and develop young talent. They have to create surpluses at certain positions so they can made the kind of timely and sensible trades they've made for the likes of Byrd and Wandy Rodriguez. And they've got to continue to mine the under-the-radar free agent and trade markets for the Jason Grilli's, Mark Melancon's and Francisco Liriano's that are out there. So relax, fans. You don't want the Pirates' off-season to look like other teams' – otherwise the regular season will start to look a lot more like it did from 1993-2012, and a lot less like it did in 2013.

13 HIGH SCHOOL Basketball games to watch

PHOTO CREDITS Justin Berl - 1a, 6, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 19a, 19b Ronald Vezzani, Jr. - 4, 20 Charles LeClaire - 5, 10 Tony Marshall/Getty Images - 1b; Jon Willey/Arizona Diamondbacks - 3; WTA - 13 Bradenton Marauders - 11a, 11b; Getty Images - 14a; Rick Stewart/Getty Images - 14b; Steve Dykes/Getty Images - 14c; Matt Rourke/AP - 14d; USA Today Sports Images 14e; Steven Senne/AP - 14f; Ronald Martinez/Getty Images - 15a; Associated Press 15b; Jack Dempsey/Associated Press - 15c; Stephen Dunn/Getty Images - 15d; Hampton Area School District - 18; Emily Matzie - 21

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The Next Big Thing NFL Stadiums Ramp Up Wi-Fi, Mobile, Digital Technology BY KELLEY ANNE MCGRATH

Going to an NFL game isn’t what it used to be. Stadiums used to be full of fans eagerly watching the on-field action. Cheering for their team. Heckling the refs (and players). Rehashing plays. There’s still a certain amount of cheering and heckling. But now, fans’ attention is split between the game on the field and the smartphones in their laps. They’re uploading photos to Facebook, posting updates on Twitter and checking their fantasy teams. This smartphone revolution has proven problematic for the NFL. More fans online means increased activity on stadium Internet networks – many of which aren’t up to the challenge. In stadiums across the country, fans are complaining about slow Internet at their favorite complexes. And in a world where Wi-Fi is available on nearly every street corner, that’s just not acceptable. The NFL has already recognized the issue. Commissioner Robert Goodell wants high-speed Wi-Fi in every stadium by 2015, with league standards for Wi-Fi and cellular data access. Teams are responding with both better Wi-Fi and more advanced stadium technology. What are some of the next big things in stadium tech? High-speed Wi-Fi

Old stadium Internet networks aren’t up to the task of supporting tens of

thousands of fans who want to get online during games. Stadiums with slow networks are bogged down by the traffic, if they have Wi-Fi at all. Many teams are aiming to change that, revamping their stadium Internet service so that more fans can get online faster. The Patriots recently installed stadium-wide high-speed Internet at Gillette – they showed it off earlier this season with a pregame Xbox 360 tournament, sponsored by Verizon FiOS. Other teams following suit include the Falcons, who plan to install highdensity Internet in their new Atlanta stadium, and the Cowboys, whose partnership with AT&T gives AT&T Stadium a faster 4G LTE network. Last summer, the Steelers installed free Wi-Fi in clubs and suites at Heinz Field. They’re also working with AT&T and Verizon to increase cell phone coverage in the stadium. Gameday apps

Apps aren’t news – they’ve been around for a while, and nearly every NFL team has one. But the newest gameday apps do more than just display stats and schedules. They’re revolutionizing the stadium experience. When the new Levi’s Stadium opens in 2014, 49ers fans won’t have to miss important plays while they wait in line to use the bathroom or grab a beer. Instead, they can use the 49ers’ mobile app to find the restrooms and concession stands with the shortest lines. Fans

can also view the field from different angles and stream NFL RedZone from their seats. The Patriots have a similar app – theirs even allows fans to order food right from the stands. Big screens

The NFL has seen a recent drop in ticket sales, as more fans gravitate toward comfortable seating and bigscreen TVs in their own homes. Teams have to compete with the multi-angle views and instant replays available on TV broadcasts. Some organizations are doing that with even bigger and better screens in their stadiums – ones that show the field from multiple angles, display scores and updates from other NFL games, and enable instant replay. AT&T Stadium in Dallas has some of the world’s largest HDTV screens –

2,100 inches across and 90 feet above the field. The 49ers new Levi’s Stadium will include more than 13,000 feet of HDTV screens, and the Steelers recently proposed adding another video scoreboard to Heinz Field. Everbank Field in Jacksonville has a fantasy football lounge with 20 HDTVs. What’s next for stadium technology?

Only 12 NFL stadiums currently have stadium-wide Wi-Fi. What’s stopping the other 20 teams from better Internet access? In a word, cost – Internet networks with enough power to support thousands of people don’t come cheap. But sooner or later, NFL teams are going to have to bite the bullet and update their technology if they want to continue to compete – and keep their fans happy.

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NHL, from PAGE 1

to 56 suspensions in 2011-12 — the last full NHL season played. With more than half of a year and playoffs still ahead, the suspension count should easily eclipse the pre-lockout mark. Part of the problem is that those who used to enforce the code no longer abide by it. Of the 33 players hit with disciplinary action this year, just five of them have scored more than 20 goals in a season. One of those players, Phil Kessel, was suspended after using his stick to defend himself against John Scott, who has a 7-1 games-suspended to goals-scored ratio in his six year NHL career. As much as the enforcers are to blame, the hypocrisy seems to extend all the way up the ladder. Brooks Orpik of the Penguins found out the hard way after delivering what was deemed a legal body check against the Boston Bruins’ Loui Eriksson. “Eriksson touches the puck and it’s a good hit,� said Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma before pointing the finger at Boston’s coaching staff. “Clearly they took exception to it and they put people on the ice to take exception to it and you saw it with [Shawn] Thornton.� The Bruins’ Thornton tried to goad Orpik into a fight after his hit on Erickson, and when Orpik wouldn’t oblige, Thornton literally attacked him. Thornton tripped Orpik from behind, knocked him to the ice and began pummeling the unconscious defender in the head as he lay on the ice. Many in the Bruins’ organization blamed Orpik for not fighting when initially challenged by Thornton.

Hard but legal checks seem to require a payback that did not used to exist in the NHL.

Bylsma was a grinder during his NHL career. He’s clearly seen a change in respect among similar players. “I’m not a fan of every hit in the game being something you need to answer to. There are a lot of hard hits in the game,� the former player said. “It’s a situation where we want hitting in the game and there are hits in the game and not every one needs to be answered by a fight.� USA Today’s Allen contends that it is quickly becoming a major problem. “This is not a Boston Bruins problem or a Thornton problem,� Allen cautioned. “This is an NHL problem with significant consequences.�

Brian Burke, who has been an integral part of the NHL for more than 25 years, believes that the sport would be significantly worse off without its code. “The first level, on every pond and outdoor rink in North America, is peer accountability. This was the first level of protection when we opened our doors more than 100 years ago. It still is. And that is as it should be. The first line of defense against players crossing the line is players,� the Calgary Flames president of hockey operations said in a recent USA Today piece. “There are a small number of rats in the game who live outside the code. But our game is improved

tremendously by players' ability to police the game.� Taking hitting out of the game is like taking the forward pass out of football. And with 98 percent of players voting in 2011-12 to keep fighting, the bare-knuckles brawls aren’t going anywhere either. The only thing the players seem confused on is respect. “I don’t know what to make of it,� Dupuis said after the Orpik-Thornton incident in Boston. “You’re supposed to respect each other out there. I don’t know whose code it is or who wrote it or who decides what’s within it. It’s pretty wide-range word right there.�

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Prospects Update

Simon Despres has emerged from an early-season stint in the minors.

With the Penguins losing dozens of man-games due to injuries or suspensions to the likes of Rob Scuderi, James Neal, Kris Letang, Beau Bennett, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Evgeni Malkin, Derek Enggeland and Tomas Vokoun, several Wilkes-Barre/Scranton players have contributed to the team’s quick start. Several of the following prospects have already contributed to the parent club, while others are very close to making their NHL debuts. FORWARDS Beau Bennett, RW: The 22-year-old

Bennett made his NHL debut last season and did not look out of place in his stints on both the second and third lines. What looked to be his breakthrough season has been derailed due to injuries thus far, and despite just one goal in 12 games, a top-six role could very well be his once he is healthy.

Zach Sill, C: The 25-year-old Sill played over 270 AHL games before finally reaching the big leagues in November. Though yet to register an NHL point, the gritty center has played in 17 games in Pittsburgh with 12 penalty minutes and 12 shots on goal. Sill has five points in 14 games with the Baby Pens. Jayson Megna, C: Megna has been a pleasant surprise, scoring four goals in 15 games through early-January and impressing coaches with his overall play. The 23-year-old had seven goals in just 11 AHL games before his call-up. DEFENSEMEN Olli Maatta: The teenage blue-line is

no longer a prospect. Rocketing up the organization’s depth chart past Joe Morrow, Simon Despres and Brian Dumoulin, Maatta made the Pens’ roster out of camp and has stuck, validating his spot with his physical play, surprisingly

high defensive IQ and offensive skills. Philip Samuelsson: Despite getting The Pens hope to ride a pairing of passed up by the team’s wealth of talLetang and Maatta on the blue line for ented defensemen, the son of Ulf is still years to come. a bona fide prospect. Still just 22, Simon Despres: Last season Despres ap- Samuelsson plays with an edge and has peared to be on the verge of making his been a solid top-four blue liner in the NHL breakthrough and as recently as AHL. He made his NHL debut in Dethis summer, coach Dan Bylsma called cember and played well in five games. him a “top-four NHL defenseman.� Dispatched to the AHL to work on his GOALIES defense, Despres played against the opJeff Zatkoff: With Tomas Vokoun still position’s top lines and upped his game, out indefinitely due to a blood clot, Zaleading the minor league with a plus-13 tkoff’s play has eased concerns about the rating before his call-up. Still just 22, need to acquire a veteran backup. After Despres had four assists and even rating a rough first start during which he gave rating in 18 games with the Penguins up six goals, Zatkoff has settled into a though early-January. groove, posting a 7-2 record, a 2.52 goals Brian Dumoulin: Dumoulin, acquired against average and a .910 save percentage. He also picked from Carolina in the up his first NHL deal that sent center shutout against Jordan Staal to the Columbus Nov. 2. Hurricanes in 2012, missed most of training Eric Hartzell: the forcamp with an eye inmer Quinnipiac goaljury. He was recalled tender who dazzled last month after the incrowds at Consol Enjury to Brooks Orpik. ergy Center during The 22-year-old had an last year’s Frozen assist in half a dozen Four started his games during his first rookie season with Eric Hartzell NHL stint in Decemthe ECHL's Wheelber, and it certainly ing Nailers. Hartzell won’t be his last. got off to a blazing start in Wheeling, Scott Harrington: The 20-year-old is a posting a .922 save percentage in five true stay-at-home defenseman in the games before a promotion to the AHL. mold of current Penguins Rob Scuderi The 24-year-old stopped 54 of 56 shots, and Brooks Orpik. At 6-2, 200-pounds, winning his first two games with the the team would like to see him add Baby Pens. Hartzell is 5-2-1 with a .921 weight to prepare for the grind of the save percentage and a 1.95 GAA at NFL, but his early season results with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. the Baby Pens have been encouraging.

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On The Slate: January Friday, January 3rd Penguins vs. New York Rangers

The Penguins open up the January schedule with a former Atlantic Division foe. Though they boast a talented team, New York has underperformed so far. Nevertheless, a visit from an Original Six team will start the second half of the season the right way. Look for Sidney Crosby to continue his run to another Art Ross trophy. Tuesday, January 7th Penguins at Vancouver Canucks

It’s no secret that the Eastern Conference has been lackluster when compared to the Western Conference. Fortunately, a trip out to Vancouver will give the Penguins ample opportunity to test their mettle against relatively stronger competition. Pittsburgh’s performance against the playoff contending Canucks could provide a good indication of the Pens quality relative to the rest of the league. Wednesday, January 15th Penguins vs. Washington Capitals

Anytime Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin share the ice, the game becomes appointment viewing. More importantly, the Capitals represent Pittsburgh’s biggest threat for the Metropolitan Division lead. If the Pens want to secure a top seed in the playoffs, they have to take care of business at home against their main division rivals.

By Taylor Skaggs

Mid-January: Injury Return of Paul Martin

Martin is expected to return from his fractured tibia in the middle of January, give or take a week. The Penguins are in desperate need of healthy defensemen, and Martin’s return will be highly anticipated. He was selected to play for the United States Olympic team and is expected to be healthy well before February. A healthy Martin was Pittsburgh’s top blue-liner a season ago. Wednesday, January 22nd Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens

Over the first half of the season, the East has been a two-team conference. The Canadiens, last year’s winner of the disbanded Northeast Division, are one of the few Eastern Conference teams that have the talent to compete with Pittsburgh and Boston, the leaders of their respective divisions. Montreal would love nothing more than to loosen the Pens’ stranglehold on the top spot in the conference. Late-January: Injury Return of Beau Bennett

The Pens hope that Bennett can recover from surgery on his broken wrist/hand by late January, though his recovery could last a couple of weeks longer. Expectations were high for the young winger heading into the 201314 season, but injuries have derailed his season. Ideally, Bennett will return to the ice as soon as possible and build momentum for a strong

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8 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • JANUARY 2014

playoff showing. If he plays well upon his return, he could earn a spot on the top line next to Sidney Crosby due to the season-ending injury to winger Pascal Dupuis. Thursday, January 30th Penguins at Los Angeles Kings

Another trip out West for the Penguins nets them a meeting with the 2012 Stanley Cup winning Kings. One of the favorites to win the Western Conference, Los Angeles boasts perhaps the strongest defensive group in the NHL. The Penguins top-flight offense will face few challenges as daunting as the one presented by the Kings’ defense. If

Crosby and company can produce against Los Angeles’ blue line on the road, then they can score against any opponent on any ice. No Timetable: Injury Return of Tomas Vokoun

There is no guarantee that Vokoun will even play again, much less return in January. However, the Penguins will have their fingers crossed that Vokoun returns soon. His stellar work in last season’s playoffs solidified the goalie position and his return for the stretch run would give the Pens’ organization some peace of mind.

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Off Season Moves BY TYLER PECYNA

The Pirates have stayed relatively quiet in an offseason that has brought a record contract and a frenzy of other high-profile moves. Even after their best season in more than two decades, though, the Pirates are yet to make a big splash in free agency. Hello Again

Three members of the ’13 team were re-signed, starting with left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez. The 35year-old Rodriguez exercised his $13 million player option for the 2014 season. The Astros are on the hook for $5.5 million of his salary. He should be ready to go for spring training after an offseason of rest and rehab, Neal Huntington said at the start of November. Righty Charlie Morton signed a three-year deal worth $21 million guaranteed. Morton is set to earn $4 million in 2014, $8 million in 2015, $8 million in 2016 and a chance to make up to $10 million in an option year in 2017. In his return from Tommy John surgery last year, Morton went 7-4 with a career-low 3.26 ERA. Infielder Clint Barmes was also resigned to a one-year deal worth $3 million. The Pirates brought back their defense-first shortstop, who could make an extra $1 million based on the number of games he starts. Barmes figures to back-up Jordy Mercer at short and Neil Walker at second. Several current players—2B Neil Walker, 3B Pedro Alvarez, RHP Mark Melancon, 1B Gaby Sanchez, OF

Travis Snider and RHP Vin Mazzaro—were also tendered contracts. Behind The Bench

Jeff Branson was named hitting coach, replacing the departed Jay Bell, and Jeff Livesey was added to major league coaching staff. See You in Bradenton

A slew of veterans were signed to minor league deals: right-handed pitchers Collin Balester, Seth McClung, Josh Kinney, Jake Brigham, Jay Jackson and Kyle McPherson; lefties Daniel Schlereth and Adam Wilk; first baseman Travis Ishikawa, outfielder Chris Dickerson and infielders Robert Andino and Michael Martinez. McPherson, once a top prospect, suffered through injury issues last year and was designated for assignment before signing his minor league contract. Youngsters

Four prospects—oufielder Gregory Polanco, infielder Alen Hanson and pitchers Joely Rodriguez and Casey Sadler—were added to the 40-man roster. Polanco, 22, and Hanson, 21, are two of the team’s top hitting prospects. Rodriguez is a 22-year-old lefty who posted a 2.67 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 67 ? innings at High-A Bradenton. Sadler, a righty, was a 25th-round selection in the 2010 draft, turned 23 in mid-July and throws a sinker to generate high groundball rates.

10 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • JANUARY 2014

New Faces

Veteran righty Edinson Volquez signed a one-year deal for $5 million. With Volquez, 30, the Pirates hope to see a reclamation project similar to Francisco Liriano last season. Catcher Chris Stewart was acquired in a trade with the Yankees in exchange for RHP Kyle Haynes. Stewart is a 31-year-old defense-first catcher who has played for five teams in seven big-league seasons. He’s thrown out a third of would-be base stealers. Right-handed relief pitcher Duke Welker was re-acquired via trade with Minnesota in exchange for lefty Kris Johnson. Welker, 27, was the player to be named later who helped bring Justin Morneau to Pittsburgh in late August. Johnson appeared in four games with the Pirates.

Outfielder Jaff Decker arrived from San Diego in exchange for 1B/OF Alex Dickerson. A lefty, the 24-year-oldDecker hit 10 HR with a .381 on-base percentage in 350 Triple-A at-bats. First baseman Chris McGuiness was acquired from the Texas Rangers for recently-acquired minor league pitcher Mark Mikolas. McGuiness, 25, hit .246 with 11 HR and 63 RBI in 104 TripleA games last year. Adieu

First baseman/rightfielder Garrett Jones and catcher Michael McKenry were let go. Jones, who played 677 games in his five seasons with the team, signed with Miami. McKenry spent two years with the Bucs. The Pirates also parted ways with veteran minor leaguers Jerry Sands, Felix Pie and pitcher Ryan Reid.

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Fall/Winter Leagues Report

BY CODY BENJAMIN

The Pirates have had a number of prospects in action in the Arizona Fall League as well as various winter leagues, and as is usually the case when looking at a team's developmental crop of players, there were a handful of participants who stood above the competition and might have taken a step forward in making a name for themselves on a bigger stage. The Pirates' team in the Arizona Fall League (AFL), the Scottsdale Scorpions, finished its campaign with a loss, signifying its success (or lack thereof) as a whole. Concluding with a 10-21 record, the club hardly showed dominance when it came to earning victories, but there wasn't a

lack of promise shown from some of the Pirates assigned to work in the league. The youngest position player on the Pirates' AFL roster, shortstop prospect Alen Hanson (right), was among the top performers for Scottsdale, flashing skills that could ultimately lead to his presence in Pittsburgh's major league lineup down the road. A relatively rough start to the league season that saw Hanson go two straight games with at least a pair of errors didn't deter his overall performance, as the infielder finished as one of his team's most productive players. The lone Fall Stars honoree from the Pirates, Hanson had three extra-base hits and six stolen bases to go along with a .329 OPS, while he also kept him-

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self to one error on the defensive side of the diamond in his final 15 games. Outfielder Alex Dickerson had a similarly impressive showing in the AFL for the Pirates, but he was shipped to San Diego in a trade with the Padres not long afterward. Helping make up for the loss of Dickerson's potential was middle infielder Gift Ngoepe, who struggled mightily at the plate but continued to tease scouts with his speed and defensive upside. Although it would be an understatement to say Ngoepe, a native of South Africa, needs a lot of improvement as a batter before he could make a difference in the majors, he is Rule 5 eligible this offseason and went 17 games without an error for Scottsdale. Ngoepe's 19 strikeouts can't be overlooked, but as a developmental prospect, his defensive outing and successful baserunning make him intriguing. Pitcher Zack Thornton, who has seen time at three different levels of play, was another headliner from the Pirates' AFL showcase. Consistency was key for the former Oakland Athletics prospect, as he posted 14 strikeouts in 14.2 innings and had just three walks during his time on the mound.

Both Tyler Waldron and Matt Benedict had their fair share of positive moments for the Pirates' AFL team as well. In relief appearances on the mound, each pitcher had some dominant stretches of work, posting several streaks of allowing no hits or runs. Although neither Waldron nor Benedict were close to being elite in the AFL, they showed they could have what it takes to earn relieving duties in the near future. The former had five no-hit innings despite allowing a .348 batting average against left-handed batters, while Benedict surrendered just one run through his first eight appearances, finishing the AFL season with only five walks and 11 strikeouts. Meanwhile, in the winter leagues, Pirates outfield prospects in particular had plenty of production. In the Dominican League, Gregory Polanco (top left) racked up big numbers with a .924 OPS and 22 walks. Additionally, Matt Hague had a .313 batting average in the Dominican, and Elias Diaz made an impact in the Venezuelan League with a .323 average and a four-hit performance through 13 games of action.

PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • JANUARY 2014 11

PSR LOCAL SCENE

A Greater Riske BY GIULIO GASPARIN

One of the revelations of the 2013 tennis season was 23-year-old U.S. Open fourth-rounder Alison Riske. The Peters Township native with the all-American girl-next-door look has just had the best season of her career, climbing more than 120 places in the rankings to finish as the world number 57 women’s tennis player. “It was definitely a good year for me and I feel like it was the way it was supposed to be,” she said matter-of-factly. “It wasn’t anything too crazy, you know, just me playing my game and things worked out for me, but it was definitely exciting, so I will forever remember 2013.” While it may have not been too crazy for her, many tennis fans were amazed by her match against Petra Kvitova at the U.S. Open, as she achieved her first top 10 win with an impressive 6-3, 6-0 victory. “I mean, that’s the thing about tennis, you have to believe those things might happen, otherwise you shouldn’t be out here,” Riske said. “So, like I said, it wasn’t anything crazy, I mean, obviously she’s top 10, but anyone can be beaten on any given day, so you only have to focus on yourself.” Confident yet humble, Riske credits much of her recent success to re-connecting with her old coach. “I went back with my coach Yves Boulais last year, so I’ve been with him

for about a year now and he has given me a lot of confidence and I feel the difference since I found the belief in myself,” she said. “You know, now, even if I don’t have a good week, I still believe that the next week can be better... that’s pretty much what’s changed.” Another change Riske is hoping to enact in 2014 is an appearance on the United States’ FedCup team. “It would be a huge honor for me, but we have so many great Americans in the rankings, so you never know what can happen,” she said. “But obviously if they call on me, I would be more than willing to represent America.” For now, Riske is happy to let the 2013 season come to an end so she can recharge. “I am done [for the season],” she signed. “After this I am going on vacation for two weeks, I don’t know where and I don’t particularly care, just anywhere but the tennis court.” When she returns to the court, her new ranking will allow her to play more steadily on the Women’s Tennis Association tour rather than the International Tennis Federation women’s circuit. She looks and sounds thrilled by the challenge ahead. “I am definitely pumped up,” she acknowledged. “Every time there’s a

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Grand Slam it is always exciting, so it’s always fun to start the season off in Australia.” No matter which tour she’s playing—WTA or ITF—Riske’s focus remains on the development of her game rather than the results. “I will just keep playing my game, being aggressive and believing in myself and that anything can happen.” And the idea that anything can— and often does—happen, drove Riske to her success in 2012, and it’s an idea that motivates her as the 2014 season nears. It’s also part of the reason Riske

is still as hopelessly in love with the game today as she was when she won the WPIAL and PIAA championship for Peters Township in 2006. “I do love everything about tennis,” she said. “There are lots of hard times too, but you have to stay optimistic and that’s part of it too. That’s the sport. You are not going to win everything, so you have to find the things you love and you have to always remember them. That’s what is going to get you through the hard times.”

PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • JANUARY 2014 13

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NFL Season Awards NFL Offensive Player of the Year: RB LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles Peyton Manning might be ridiculously valuable (along with other top-tier quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson), but McCoy put up historical numbers in a new offensive system for the Eagles. So productive he was in the mix to become the first Philadelphia back to lead the NFL in rushing since 1947, he also served as an asset in the Eagles' passing game, stepping up as one of Nick Foles' top targets out of the backfield. Seattle’s Wilson and the Chiefs' Jamaal Charles deserve consideration here.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: CB Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks There are some players in the trenches who might deserve this award just as much, if not more, than Sherman (I'm looking at you, Robert Quinn and Robert Mathis), but in today's NFL, there's nothing more important than having a shutdown corner. And while he hasn't been perfect, he's forced plenty of turnovers and has the right mentality to be a surefire superstar in the secondary. When a team faces Richard Sherman, it knows it has to prepare, even if the rest of Seattle's secondary hasn't been up to par at times.

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: WR Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers Eddie Lacy put up quite a fight for the honor with the Packers, but Allen simply played too big of a role in San Diego's aerial attack to be ignored. As a first-year target of Philip Rivers, he consistently ranked among the team's leaders in touchdown catches while working his way toward the 1,000yard mark and solidifying himself as an immediate impact starter. Allen also had back-to-back 100yard games down the stretch of the season as San Diego fought for a playoff spot.

BY CODY BENJAMIN

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Kiko Alonso, Buffalo Bills Alonso's big-play production wasn't quite as evident late in the season, but his impact as a rookie was tremendous nonetheless. Ranking among the NFL's top five tacklers at the middle of Buffalo's linebacker corps, he also got involved in the backfield with a pair of sacks and had four interceptions through his first four games in the league. If Alonso's elite showing as a rookie is any indication of his long-term potential on defense, opponents should be prepared to work around him for years to come. The Jets' Sheldon Richardson would argue the selection of Alonso, and while the New York rookie wasn't quite as statistically dominant, he does deserve a mention.

NFL Coach of the Year: Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs If the story of Andy Reid isn't a prime example of a turnaround, I don't know what is. After a long tenure in Philadelphia that was filled with success but ended rather poorly, Reid took a Chiefs team that won just two games in 2012 and transformed it into a legitimate force in the AFC. From hauling a rundown 4-12 Chiefs franchise to leading a playoff contender in Kansas City, Reid made history with his success, making the Chiefs only the 10th team in NFL history to win nine more games than it did the previous year.

NFL Moment of the Year: Tom Brady and the Patriots overcome a 24-point deficit to beat Denver This is just vintage Tom Brady. Down 24-0 at halftime against the Broncos, Brady and the Pats took it upon themselves to revert to clutch form and dispose of Denver. Scoring on their first five possessions of the second half, the Patriots reeled themselves back into contention and ultimately pushed the contest into overtime after a lategame fumble recovery. Capping off a monumental comeback and victory, New England sealed its memorable moment with a game-winning field goal in OT.

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Playoff Preview AFC Favorite: Denver Broncos

Don’t let the whispers about Peyton Manning and cold weather dissuade you; the Broncos are the best team in the AFC. Manning is playing the best football of his career, and the Denver offense is hands-down the best group in the NFL. Remember, this is basically the same team that was poised to storm through the playoffs last year. But one of the worst defensive plays of the season allowed the Baltimore Ravens to slip past on a miracle touchdown catch before eventually winning the Super Bowl. The Broncos are better this year; they are the easy favorites. AFC Contender: Kansas City Chiefs

After starting out the year riding an absolutely dominant defense to a 9-0 record, a rash of injuries sapped the group’s overall effectiveness in recent weeks. As a result, head coach Andy Reid has opened up the playbook, and the offense exploded. With Alex Smith shedding the “game-manager” label and Jamal Charles destroying worlds, Kansas City now has a dynamic offense to combine with a good defense. No one wants to play this team.

AFC Contender: New England Patriots

The sun rises, seasons change, and the Patriots make the playoffs. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick once again march towards the postseason, but injuries may have already crippled their playoff hopes. After losing many of their best players (Rob Gronkowski, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo) the Patriots are struggling to maintain their level of play. Of course, it’s hard to count out Brady and Belichick. AFC Dark Horse: Indianapolis Colts

What to make of a team that beat Seattle, Denver and San Francisco, but was blown out by St. Louis and Arizona? If the Colts’ defense can rediscover its early season form, the playoffs could be a coming out party for budding superstar quarterback Andrew Luck. NFC Favorite: Seattle Seahawks

With blowout victories over New Orleans and San Francisco at home, the Seahawks have made a convincing case for title of best team in the

NFL. Considering that Seattle’s first two losses came on the road to a pair of playoff teams by a combined eight points, the gap between the Seahawks and the rest of the NFC has grown quite large. Sporting the best defensive group in the league, a historically impressive home field advantage, Marshawn Lynch at running back and the best young quarterback around in Russell Wilson, Seattle has no weaknesses. This is the NFL’s most talented team. NFC Contender: Carolina Panthers

After staggering to a 1-3 start, the Panthers reeled of eight consecutive victories and launched into contention for the two seed in the NFC. The front seven of Carolina’s defense has the most impressive collection of talent in the NFL, led by All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly. But the Panthers’ playoff hopes rest on the shoulders of quarterback Cam Newton. If Newton plays like a superstar, the Panthers can upset Seattle and win the NFC.

By Taylor Skaggs

NFC Contender: New Orleans Saints

There’s no place like home for the Saints. With every loss on the season coming in away games, New Orleans desperately needs home field advantage in the playoffs. In the Super Dome, New Orleans, like Seattle, can look nearly untouchable at times. But the Saints’ road woes threaten to cripple their chances of advancing to the Super Bowl. If Brees and company can remember how to play on the road, then New Orleans can be a dangerous playoff threat. NFC Dark Horse: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers, much like Seattle and Carolina, are built around a strong defense and a dynamic young quarterback. However, Colin Kaepernick has struggled while Russell Wilson and Cam Newton have excelled. San Francisco needs Kaepernick to regain his 2013 playoff form if they want to have any chance at returning to the Super Bowl.

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Wrestling With Bullies Fake Sport Makes Real Difference BY KURT HACKIMER

When news broke about Miami Dolphin offensive lineman Richie Incognito’s repeated bullying of teammate Jonathan Martin, the response from the NFL was surprisingly defensive. A bevy of NFL players and personalities, past and present, stepped out of the woodwork to offer their support to the man who repeatedly sent racially inflammatory and sexually perverse text message and voicemails to his African American teammate. “If you are that sensitive and weakminded, then find another profession,” NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor said, referencing Martin, in an interview with the New York Daily News. “This is football. This is not table tennis. This is not golf. I don’t know how you bully a 350-pound player.” The NFL’s official response to Incognito was direct: he was suspended for the rest of the season and, according to the Dolphins front office, won’t play another game in teal and orange. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also said he expects the NFL’s workplace rules will change in light of the bullying case. However, by attempting to distance itself from the situation at the beginning of this fiasco, the NFL allowed its players and related media personalities to turn what could have been a minor blip on the NFL’s public relations radar into a full-fledged media frenzy. The NFL could have followed the

World Wrestling Entertainment’s lead. The WWE is another frequently maligned sporting company. Fifteen years ago, they prided themselves on putting forth a vulgar, raunchy brand of “sports entertainment” catered directly toward the 18-35 year old demographic. They have endured their fair share of steroid scandals, concussion controversies, and criminal investigations over the years, just like the NFL has. However, on the issue of bullying, the two organizations are incomparable. While several NFL players, such as Charles Tillman of the Chicago Bears and Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens, have individually taken a public stand against bullying, the WWE, as a company, has taken a direct, decisive, and, quite frankly, unprecedented stance against bullying that no other sports organization can boast. “Everyone has dealt with bullying in some way, shape or form,” WWE superstar Kofi Kingston said. “It’s been going on for quite some time, but there has never really been a program that has stood up against bullies.” In 2011, WWE teamed with The Creative Coalition to launch the Be a STAR campaign to end bullying. The STAR in “Be a STAR” stands for Show Tolerance And Respect. The heavily-promoted campaign relies prominently on WWE superstars visiting schools across the country in an attempt to convince children to respect one another.

WWE superstar John Cena autographs a young fan's wristband.

“People see us on TV and they forget that we were kids just like them at one point. Many of us experienced bullying just like they do,” Kingston said. “I was a fan when I was young. If I had a WWE superstar come into my school and tell me anything, I would listen.” The WWE has developed a free antibullying curriculum to aid teachers in creating lesson plans to discourage bullying and has invited schools to open their own Be a STAR chapters. WWE has also recently announced that they will give four $25,000 grants to qualified non-profit public charities that have viable anti-bullying programs. In addition to its Be a STAR campaign, the WWE has also notably supported the Susan B. Komen Foundation by donating a significant portion of its

merchandise sales, as well as television time, to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The WWE also regularly tours military camps, bases, and hospitals and has been holding an annual Tribute to the Troops show at a military base in the Middle East for the past decade. In 2014, the WWE will aggressively promote the 2014 Special Olympics at all of its live events as well as on their television shows and through social media in an effort to raise money for the event. “We feel like we have a social responsibility because the WWE is the biggest it’s ever been,” Kingston said. “It’s important to keep going to the schools and using our celebrity as a positive influence.”

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Local Crops Pitt is Happy to Have Hampton’s Luther As a mixture of snow and sleet mend to slosh atop the roads outside Butler High School’s gymnasium on a midDecember evening, the versatile Ryan Luther is inside, subtly heating up to lead a dominating effort. Luther is a 6-foot-8 senior at Hampton High School, who plays power forward and serves as the leader for one of the top teams in the WPIAL. In a year, though, he’ll be inside a much bigger, more hostile venue – one in which custodians won’t have to collapse bleachers and remove scorers’ tables before the next day’s first-period gym class. Luther is a member of Pitt’s 2014 class, a fate that didn’t seem certain just a few months ago. On this December night, though, Luther is a Hampton Talbot. They’re comfortably ahead, as they have been throughout the early part of the season, and Luther is at the front of all dimensions of their dominance. Moments into the third quarter, he reads and intercepts a pass, darts past midcourt, swerving his dribble behind his back to try slipping past the defender, who reaches in for a steal but gets an arm. Luther cleverly brings the ball up to hoist a muffled shot and draw a shooting foul. Later, a Hampton teammate misses a shot and Luther crashes the boards, slamming the ball for a putback dunk. The basket is waved off for an offensive foul, however. No matter. Luther hustles back on defense, eventually swooping in to block a couple shots.

He finished the night with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting with eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks, leading Hampton to a crushing 80-52 final score. “Ryan leads by example,” said David L. Thornton, Luther’s AAU coach at Maryland 3D for nearly four years. “Ryan is a very quiet kid, but you could never, as a coach, be as hard on Ryan as he is on himself.” Thornton was assured of that this past summer at Maryland 3D’s game in Orlando, Fla., the Disney AAU showcase. He lifted Luther from the action halfway through the second half, the lanky, blond teenager taking a seat next to Thornton’s son, Bryce. “Bryce,” Luther contested. “I’m playing horrible today.” “I don’t know, Ryan,” said a befuddled Bryce, one year Luther’s junior and on a younger AAU team. “If you get one more basket, you’ll have 30.” “He finished with more than 30,” Thornton said. “When a kid’s got 28 and there’s 13 minutes to go in a game and he’s disappointed with how he’s playing, that tells you all you need to know about his competitiveness and about who he is.” If it weren’t for Pitt’s late charge in recruiting him, Thornton said, Luther and his competitiveness appeared headed to the University of Dayton. Thornton said he believes Luther’s dominance last summer at an invitational tournament in Las Vegas sponsored by several Jordan-brand NBA

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Ryan Luther of Hampton HS will enroll at Pitt this fall.

players ramped Pitt’s interest. “I think that may have finally convinced Pitt that he’s not this small, weak kid from western PA,” he said. “He can go out there on a national stage, play against the best players from D.C., the best players from Chicago, from Los Angeles … “Pitt might have finally said, ‘Hey this guy’s in our own backyard, and he can do it against the best of the best.’” Matt Steinbrink, who covers Pitt basketball for Rivals.com, said Pitt just tends to take its time, displaying a similar process with former Beaver Falls standout Sheldon Jeter, who never received an offer from the Panthers and enrolled at Vanderbilt. Jeter has since transferred to Pitt, though, and will be on the court with Luther next fall. “I think they maybe could’ve shown more interest early on, but Pitt’s kind of in a tough spot because there isn’t so

much local talent, and when there is local talent it’s kind of hard to judge and evaluate in that setting,” Steinbrink added. “I know they like to see the kids in the AAU and the summer circuit to get a better feel because we lack competition around here. [But] these kids like Ryan around here, they actually can play, it’s just projecting the field against better competition.” Steinbrink said guys like Luther and, on a more impactful scale, DeJuan Blair, can change the perception of a weak field of talent in WPIAL. “Kids are starting to see the light that they can make it in basketball here, too,” he said. Looks like Luther is leading another charge, one that extends far beyond Hampton’s dominance at Butler’s gym.

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College Basketball January Games To Watch Saturday, Jan. 4 Another SEC Visit: Robert Morris at Alabama

Robert Morris played two SEC games last season and split them, losing a close game at Arkansas and beating Kentucky in one of the most memorable games of the season. This year, tey visit the Crimson Tide before settling into their NEC schedule. Wednesday, Jan. 8 Taking Care of Business: Fordham at Duquesne

Duquesne was a winning program under Ron Everhart, but the Dukes began to rebuild last season. Coach Jim Ferry has turned over the roster and starting their A-10 schedule with a win over the Rams would be a huge boost. Saturday, Jan 11 Take Us Seriously: Indiana at Penn State

If Penn State coach Pat Chambers wants his team to be taken seriously, this would be a good place to start. Indiana does not have the firepower they did a year ago, but they are a still a brand name in college hoops.

Sunday, Jan. 12 Women's Hoops on the Deuce: Purdue at Penn State

Two of the top women's teams in the Big 10 face off at the Bryce Jordan Center when Purdue visits Penn State for a nationally televised ESPN 2 showdown at 2 PM. Tuesday, Jan 14 Road Trick: Penn State at Michigan

The Lions won only two conference games last season, but one was at national championship runner-up Michigan late in the season. Can they Lions make it two straight in Ann Arbour? Thursday, Jan. 16 Measuring Stick: Notre Dame at Pitt

The Top 10 women's program at Notre Dame visits the Petersen Events Center to take on Suzie McConnell-Serio's Panthers. Pitt is still a ways away from competing against top teams like the Irish, but it will be interesting to see how long McConnell-Serio can keep her team in the game.

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Saturday Jan. 18 Same Teams, New League: Pitt at Syracuse

Syracuse is at the top of the rankings, as usual. Pitt is climbing the polls with scrappy defense, as usual. The Panthers bring their physical style to the Carrier Dome for an old fashioned “Big Easy” style showdown... except this is an ACC game now. Saturday Jan 25 Try to Beat the Best: Wagner at Robert Morris

Wagner was the preseason pick atop the NEC this season, although Robert Morris usually has quite a bit to say who wins the Northeast Conference championship. Monday Jan 27 The Devils Went Up to Oakland: Duke at Pitt

This is the game Pitt fans circled the day the schedule came out. The Oakland Zoo will try to etch out its' place among the ACC's best student sections when Jabarri Parker, Coach K and the Blue Devils come to the Pete.

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Still on Solid Ground Bill O’Brien left Penn State in better shape than he found it BY ERIC SHULTZ

January will no doubt provide a bumpy ride for the Penn State football program. A second coaching search in two years, and the promise of a fourth head coach for the seniors-to-be, make these unprecedented times in Happy Valley. Nevertheless, things today are much better than they could have been. When the NCAA imposed unprecedented sanctions on the program in July 2012, in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal, the punishment stopped short of the “death penalty” some predicted would be placed on the team. But others felt that the sanctions hurt the Nittany Lions even worse than a temporary stoppage of football would, setting them back for years to come. Now that the dust has settled a bit, the Lions have performed better than most expected them to in their first two years since losing four seasons of postseason eligibility and a number of scholarships, among a handful of other penalties received two summers ago. And with reduced scholarship sanctions announced during the 2013 season, Penn State very well might be back to looking like its old self on the gridiron quicker than most people outside of Happy Valley had imagined. After a surprising 2012 season following the sanctions — one that ended with an 8-4 record after consecutive losses to begin the campaign—the Lions received good news early into the

2013 season. A release posted on the NCAA’s website on Sept. 24 announced that the NCAA Executive Committee would slowly restore the scholarships Penn State lost, following the school’s “continued progress toward ensuring athletics integrity.” Initially, Penn State was set to be held at 15 scholarships per year, instead of the usual 25, from the 2013-14 academic year until 2016-17. Meanwhile, the Lions were also to be limited to 65 total scholarships at any time, instead of 85, from 2014-15 until 2017-18. The reduced penalties will gradually add more scholarships back to the team each year until both maximum totals are reached. The Lions will be allotted 20 scholarships for 2014-15 and 75 total for that year to start the process, adding five more scholarships each year. In other words, they will be back at 25 scholarships per year in 2015-16 and at 85 total scholarships again in 2016-17, reaching full strength in each category two years earlier than originally planned. Those were the only reductions outlined in September, although the release also stated that “the group may consider additional mitigation of the postseason ban in the future depending upon Penn State’s continued progress.” Still, even if further modifications to the sanctions do not happen, a few more scholarships here and there can go a long way for Penn State, as the team continues to try to persevere through the next few seasons. The team posted another winning

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Bill O’Brien made an impact at Penn State in just two seasons.

season in 2013, but had its ugly moments. There was a 20-point loss to Indiana and a 63-14 blowout by Ohio State, though both were answered with overtime victories the following weeks. Later, an upset over Wisconsin to close the season also helped to keep the Lions above .500. However, those off-games likely had a better chance to become more commonplace if the team stayed as shorthanded with scholarships as it was supposed to. Instead, it can bring in more talented players on scholarships than before, one certainty among several more question marks entering next season. The loss of head coach Bill O'Brien is the greatest unknown, and wide receiver Allen Robinson’s early departure to the NFL will hurt the offense. But while sudden roster and personnel moves can make it harder to see if the Lions’ worst days on the field are now

behind them, it is clear that they are on a faster track to recovery now. On offense, freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg showed signs of promise throughout 2013, and freshman tight end Adam Breneman began seeing paydirt late in the season. Running backs Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak, who were both effective on the ground, each have one year of eligibility remaining. So while more speed bumps may or may not be ahead of Penn State, additional scholarships will likely boost the team’s overall talent quicker than thought. Nobody will know for sure if the 2014 Lions will continue to play through the sanctions at an exceptional level until they take the field. But it is probably safe to say that the team’s outlook is much better now than it was in July 2012.

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High School Hoops

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The defending WPIAL Triple A champs visit last year's runner-up and sharpshooter Matty McConnell. 1/6 Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic at Vincentian

These backyard, Catholic school rivals are two of the top teams in single-A. Vincentian is led by star junior Ryan Wolf, a thirdteam All-State selection as a sophomore, while North Catholic brings an experienced unit led by Dominic Ross, Jon Savulchak and Ryan Kirby. 1/14 Hampton at New Castle

The two top-ranked preseason teams n Quad-A square off when Hampton’s Luther Brothers (Ryan and Collin) visit New Castle. 1/17 Western Beaver at Lincoln Park

The Leopards feature two of the top players in the state in sophomore Maverick Rowan and senior Elijah Minnie, but Western

Two Division 1 bound stars highlight this contest, with Lincoln Park's Maverick Rowan gunning the Leopards backcourt, while Kiski center Satchell Pierce is headed to Marquette next year. Beaver Falls vs. New Castle

Double A Beaver Falls steps up to play the preseason's top-rated Quad A team in New Castle. The game features a hardwood collision between two players headed to the state of Ohio for football: Beaver Falls' Elijah Cottrill (Akron) and New Castle's Malik Hooker (Ohio State).

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life

1/3 Montour at Chariers Valley

1/25 Coaches vs Cancer Tournament at Geneva College Lincoln Park vs. Kiski School

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Seton LaSalle point guard Dale Clancy, wing Levi Masua and center Malik White lead a loaded Rebels team across the border to face Ohio Valley Athletic Conference 5-A behemoth Wheeling Park.

Beaver's Nick Miller is a threesport star who leads an experienced guard-laden team.

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1/3 Cancer Research Classic at Wheeling Jesuit University Wheeling Park vs. Seton LaSalle

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qu al ity

January Games To Watch

This is where it all comes together. A focus on you. A search for better ideas. A promise to the places we call home. This is Allegheny Health Network.

1/28 Vincentian at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic

Round 2 of this single-A North Hills rivalry is just a week before the end of the regular season. 1/31 Fox Chapel at Gateway

Guards Matt D'Amico and Brian Papich, who combined to score nearly 900 points last year, face a very tall Gateway squad led by forward Tom Kromka.

www.pittsburghsportsreport.com

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PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • JANUARY 2014 21

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