9-22-21

The Pitt News

T h e i n d e p e n d e n t s t ude nt ne w spap e r of t he U niversity of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | September 22, 2021 ­| Volume 112 | Issue 22

News

Cover by Jamie Cohen | Staff Photographer

AAAC event; SGB meeting pittnews.com

Students meet Spirit of Pitt candidates, get shirts at Homecoming kickoff

Millicent Watt

Assistant News Editor Pitt has not held in-person events for Homecoming Week in nearly two years, but the festivities are back in full swing this week — well, almost full swing.

The Pitt Alumni Association will host many in-person events this year, while some will remain online. Nancy Merritt, vice chancellor for alumni relations, said virtual Homecoming events are here to stay, even once the threat of COVID-19 subsides.

“The Pitt alumni network is over 342,000 strong, and they’re located throughout the country and across the globe,” Merritt said. “It’s just not feasible for all of them to come back to campus for Homecoming, so the PAA is determined

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to keep them connected in other ways.”

All attendees are expected to comply with Pitt’s COVID-19 rules at in-person events, Merritt said. This includes universal indoor masking, as well as outdoor masking for unvaccinated individuals.

Not all students are fully aware of when Homecoming events take place — or even what the events are. Jenny Kim, an undeclared sophomore, said she was interested in the annual Paint the Town event, but wasn’t sure what other events were planned.

“I haven't really heard a whole lot about it,” Kim said. “I feel like you have to go out of your way to look for what's happening.”

Brianna Hennigh, a junior exercise science major, said she felt excited for the return of in-

person Homecoming and planned to attend Saturday’s football game. She said not being able to participate in community events during the previous academic year negatively impacted her overall campus experience.

“Honestly, being here last year, it just didn't feel right,” Hennigh said. “Being here this year, it feels like home.”

Students, alumni and families can learn more about the Homecoming schedule and register for dozens of events at homecoming.pitt.edu. Merritt said students who register for Homecoming get a free swag bag.

According to Meritt, registration ensures quick access to events and allows students to get their swag at check-in. Registration includes a name tag with a QR code that can scan people into individual events, as well as allow access to some campus buildings.

Check-in for registered students and alumni will take place at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Those who are only attending the tailgate or game can also check in Saturday at the Great Lawn on the North Shore.

Two Homecoming events have already taken place — the festivities kicked off on Monday in the William Pitt Union Plaza and continued at Traditions Paint Night on Tuesday. These were the first in-person Homecoming events since 2019.

I Love Pitt Day will return to campus on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the WPU Plaza and Quad. Student Government Board — which is sponsoring the event — and other clubs, organizations and departments will attend. Attendees will find music, games, activities, food and giveaways to enjoy.

Merritt said the PAA collaborated with SGB, the Pitt band, as well as the cheer and dance teams, to get current students involved in the fun by organizing several student-centered events during Homecoming Week.

“This year is the first year in a while that we’ve planned a full Homecoming Week for students,” Merritt said. “We want all Pitt students to come

September 22, 2021

out and enjoy the festivities.”

Pitt students and alumni who dream of attending a TED conference will have their chance on Wednesday night — only instead of TED Talks, they will hear ROC Talks. Each speaker is a member of the Young Alumni Council, which works to maintain a connection between the University and alumni within the first decade after graduation.

Alyson Stover, associate professor of occupational therapy and director of clinical services at Capable Kids, will speak at the event. She received her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation science and her master’s of occupational therapy at Pitt. Dr. Corey Black, founder and CEO of SmileSpace, will also give a ROC talk. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Africana studies with a minor in chemistry and his D.M.D from Pitt.

The speakers will give their ROC Talks at the Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center from 7 to 9 p.m. After the ROC Talks, students and alumni will have the opportunity to network with the speakers and one another.

Not all Homecoming events are in person this year — some panel discussions, receptions and speaker events have continued with the virtual format. One such event is Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting, during which Chancellor Patrick Gallagher will give his annual update about the University. The meeting will stream live on the Pitt YouTube channel starting at 10 a.m.

In the past, the annual report focused on updating alumni about the University’s accomplishments over the previous year, as well as its plans for the future. This included academic achievements, improvements in campus diversity, research findings and campus construction plans.

The PAA and the Pitt Alumni Student Network will host the Homecoming Beat Series’ “Beat New Hampshire” festival at the WPU Plaza on Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. This event is for all Pitt community members, including students, alumni and children. There will be food, Pitt

Find the full story online at

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2

Meet this year’s ‘Spirit of Pitt’ nominees Clare Sheedy

Senior Staff Writer It’s time to vote for the Spirit of Pitt awards — Pitt’s alternative to Homecoming king and queen.

Established during last year’s Homecoming and organized by the Pitt Alumni Association, the two genderless awards aim “to recognize students who display a commitment to academic excellence, community service, and the Pitt Alumni Association’s values” according to the website.

Voting began Tuesday at noon and is open until Wednesday at noon. The alumni association will announce the Spirit of Pitt awards on the field at Saturday’s Homecoming football game. Along with the award, each winner will receive $1,500 in student resource funding. Students will choose two Spirit of Pitt winners from the preliminarily elected Homecoming Court, which consists of 10 Pitt upperclass undergraduate students.

Maria Arlia Maria Arlia, a senior and second-year student in the School of Pharmacy, said she found out about her Homecoming Court win on Instagram.

“I came home from class and I was sitting in my room. I just happened to open up Instagram — and I saw it. I was like, ‘Oh my god, what?’”

Arlia said. “I got so excited. It was right when I came home from class so that was really cool.

First I told my roommates, then I called my parents and my sister — they were all really happy for me.”

On campus, Arlia is involved with the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, executive board for the Student National Pharmaceutical Association and the traditions committee for the Blue and Gold Society.

She was previously the building representative for Nordenberg Hall with the Resident Student Association.

Arlia said ever since touring Pitt as a high school senior she felt welcomed by the community. She decided to run for Spirit of Pitt to embody the inclusivity and spirit she feels as a student.

“When I came to Pitt for the first time I was just immediately so welcomed by people,” Arlia said. “I think because of that positive experience and all of the great people I’ve met at Pitt I was like, ‘Yeah, this is definitely something I want to get involved in,’ to help students feel the same

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way — to make them feel welcome, make them feel included and really excited about going to Pitt and enjoying life here.”

De’Jovia Davis De’Jovia Davis is a senior urban studies major, as well as a Pathfinder, assistant drum major in the Pitt band, head student manager of the women’s basketball team, member of the Pitt Band Council and member of Kappa Kappa Psi. She also founded the first Pitt Band Council’s Activism Committee her sophomore year, and is a former first-year mentor.

Davis is running for Spirit of Pitt with Jordyn Newing, a fellow Pitt band member. She said she shows her pride for Pitt through her involvement on campus.

“Pitt spirit, to me, is not one size fits all. Some show their Pitt pride in the classroom, others on the field, and others in the participation in student organizations,” Davis said. “I think my Pitt pride revolves around my involvement around campus. I embody Pitt by showcasing my Pitt pride and I strive to share my love of the University with others.”

Davis said although she initially thought college would just “be a time to learn and get a degree,” Pitt has become much more to her.

“I have met so many amazing people and made a lot of lasting connections that I will cherish forever. I thought college would simply be a time to learn and get a degree, but it has been so much more than that,” Davis said. “My time at Pitt has been so precious and I am so grateful to call Pitt my home.”

Alexa Lascola Alexa Lascola is a junior health sciences major in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She is part of the Pitt cheer team, Delta Zeta, Rho Psi Eta, Pre-Physician Assistant Association, Pre-Rehabilitation Science Student Association, a member of Cru, Pitt Alumni Student Network and member of the Outside the Classroom Curriculum honor society.

As a cheerleader, Lascola said she embodies “the Spirit of Pitt.” “[Cheerleaders] definitely embody spirit. We serve as ambassadors and role models to our peers to get students involved at Pitt, to get enthusiasm at Pitt athletics and even the Pitt community so we’re kind of that group that embodies what it means to have unity and spirit here,” Lascola said. “I’ve spent my time here striving to promote school pride and engage with our student body to lift our spirit.”

Lascola said she’s loved Pitt ever since arriving on campus in August 2019.

“I really fell in love with the campus and all of the opportunities offered here. And, after coming here, I've realized that Pitt is much more than just an amazing University,” Lascola said. “It’s really just a community of really supportive people and it’s a family. We all hail as one and Pitt’s really provided me with the tools to achieve academic excellence and get really involved.”

Haley Marra Haley Marra, a senior in the School of Nursing, said she’s always wanted to run for Spirit of Pitt and decided to apply since this year is her last chance. Marra is a member of Theta Phi Alpha and the Nursing Student Association, where she writes student spotlights and previously served as the president.

Marra said she decided to apply after writing a speech for the NSA white coat ceremony — a ceremony that commemorates nursing students’ ability to perform clinicals..

“This year I was like, ‘I’m just going to go for it — I’m going to run and we’ll see what happens.

I think one of the defining factors in deciding to run was when I was asked to speak at the white coat ceremony at Carnegie Music Hall,” Marra said. “I was writing my speech and thinking about how much being at Pitt has shaped me into the person I am today and, I guess, how proud I am of that — of who I’ve become here and for what Pitt gave me.”

Marra wants other students to know that, like her, they can make the most of their experience at Pitt.

“If you dive into Pitt, you can make every single one of [your goals] come true,” Marra said. “It’s never too late to dive headfirst, try what you’ve been meaning to try, talk to who you’ve been meaning to talk to, and I think that Pitt throughout the years has given me the confidence to do that. No matter where I go in May, this will always be my home.”

Olivia Marie Miller Olivia Marie Miller is a senior rehabilitation sciences major in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She is also a member of the Blue and Gold Society, president of the StudentAthlete Advisory Committee, member of the Panthers United Group and a Pitt gymnast. With the Blue and Gold Society, she helped name the Spirit of Pitt awards last year, along with Arlia.

“We came up with the Spirit of Pitt award because the entire idea surrounding it is somebody

September 22, 2021

who bleeds blue and gold, somebody who really works to represent Pitt through every aspect of their life and through their schooling and their extracurriculars,” Miller said. “As a senior this year I was like, ‘Y'know what’ ... I helped plan this last year and now that things are more in person and we have more opportunities to actually go out and campaign and meet people — I just thought it’d be fun.”

Miller said she “definitely [bleeds] blue and gold” and that she loves competing on the gymnastics team and “[representing] Pitt on [her] leotard.”

“I’m from Monroeville and I kind of grew up always being around Pitt. I always came to the Pitt gymnastics meets as a kid,” Miller said. “So, for me, it was really, really cool and really awesome to be able to have the opportunity to compete for the gymnastics team here. I've grown up here and I’ve loved it from the beginning.”

Ian Montelius Ian “Monty” Montelius is a senior in the

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3

'Feels like home’: Pitt hosts first in-person homecoming since 2019

Alexandra Ross For The Pitt News

Pitt has not held in-person events for Homecoming Week in nearly two years, but the festivities are back in full swing this week — well, almost full swing.

The Pitt Alumni Association will host many in-person events this year, while some will remain online. Nancy Merritt, vice chancellor for alumni relations, said virtual Homecoming events are here to stay, even once the threat of COVID-19 subsides.

“The Pitt alumni network is over 342,000 strong, and they’re located throughout the country and across the globe,” Merritt said. “It’s just not feasible for all of them to come back to campus for Homecoming, so the PAA is determined to keep them connected in other ways.”

All attendees are expected to comply with Pitt’s COVID-19 rules at in-person events, Merritt said. This includes universal indoor masking,

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as well as outdoor masking for unvaccinated individuals.

Not all students are fully aware of when Homecoming events take place — or even what the events are. Jenny Kim, an undeclared sophomore, said she was interested in the annual Paint the Town event, but wasn’t sure what other events were planned.

“I haven't really heard a whole lot about it,” Kim said. “I feel like you have to go out of your way to look for what's happening.”

Brianna Hennigh, a junior exercise science major, said she felt excited for the return of inperson Homecoming and planned to attend Saturday’s football game. She said not being able to participate in community events during the previous academic year negatively impacted her overall campus experience.

“Honestly, being here last year, it just didn't feel right,” Hennigh said. “Being here this year, it feels like home.”

Students, alumni and families can learn more about the Homecoming schedule and register for dozens of events at homecoming.pitt.edu. Merritt said students who register for Homecoming get a free swag bag.

According to Meritt, registration ensures quick access to events and allows students to get their swag at check-in. Registration includes a name tag with a QR code that can scan people into individual events, as well as allow access to some campus buildings.

Check-in for registered students and alumni will take place at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Those who are only attending the tailgate or game can also check in Saturday at the Great Lawn on the North Shore.

Two Homecoming events have already taken place — the festivities kicked off on Monday in the William Pitt Union Plaza and continued at Traditions Paint Night on Tuesday. These were the first in-person Homecoming events since 2019.

I Love Pitt Day will return to campus on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the WPU Plaza and Quad. Student Government Board — which is sponsoring the event — and other clubs, organizations and departments will attend. Attendees will find music, games, activities, food and giveaways to enjoy.

Merritt said the PAA collaborated with SGB, the Pitt band, as well as the cheer and dance teams, to get current students involved in the fun by organizing several student-centered events during Homecoming Week.

“This year is the first year in a while that we’ve planned a full Homecoming Week for students,” Merritt said. “We want all Pitt students to come out and enjoy the festivities.”

Pitt students and alumni who dream of attending a TED conference will have their chance on Wednesday night — only instead of TED Talks, they will hear ROC Talks. Each speaker is a member of the Young Alumni Council, which works to maintain a connection between the University and alumni within the first decade after graduation.

Alyson Stover, associate professor of occupational therapy and director of clinical services at Capable Kids, will speak at the event. She received her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation science and her master’s of occupational therapy at Pitt. Dr. Corey Black, founder and CEO of SmileSpace, will also give a ROC talk. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Africana studies with a minor in chemistry and his D.M.D from Pitt.

The speakers will give their ROC Talks at the Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center from 7 to 9 p.m. After the ROC Talks, students and alumni will have the opportunity to network with the speakers and one another.

Not all Homecoming events are in person this year — some panel discussions, receptions and speaker events have continued with the virtual format. One such event is Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting, during which Chancellor Patrick Gallagher will give his annual update about the University. The meeting will stream live on the Pitt YouTube channel starting at 10 a.m.

In the past, the annual report focused on updating alumni about the University’s accomplishments over the previous year, as well as its plans for the future. This included academic achievements, improvements in campus diversity, research findings and campus construction plans.

The PAA and the Pitt Alumni Student Network will host the Homecoming Beat Series’ “Beat New Hampshire” festival at the WPU Plaza on Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. This event is for all Pitt community members, including students, alumni and children. There will be food, Pitt

September 22, 2021

swag and family friendly festival activities.

The excitement continues through Saturday as Pitt’s football team is set to face off against the New Hampshire Wildcats at noon. New Hampshire has won each of its three games to start the season, while Pitt suffered a loss against Western Michigan last weekend.

Students won’t be the only ones with their own section at Heinz Field on Saturday afternoon — alumni can watch from the African American Alumni Council reserved section of the stadium for the Homecoming game. Tickets can be purchased online through the Athletics Department. Prices range from $20 to $38 per ticket.

Pitt affiliates across the East coast will host “Stay at Homecoming” virtual watch parties for those who can’t make it to Heinz Field for the game. Pitt fans in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, Atlanta, Harrisburg, New York and Pittsburgh who have the ACC Network channel can register online.

The PAA will sponsor the Homecoming Tailgate Village for alumni at the Great Lawn, starting three hours before kickoff. Food, beverages and pregame activities will be available, and families are welcome. Several campus organizations and groups will have tents in the Tailgate Village, such as the AAAC, the YAC, Panthers Forward and each of the University’s schools.

“The biggest game of the season deserves the biggest tailgate — and that’s what we’re planning!” the PAA’s website said.

Tickets for the Alumni Association’s tent in the village are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 10 and younger. The registration deadline is at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Homecoming Week will come to a flashy conclusion on Saturday night with the annual fireworks and laser show at the Cathedral of Learning. The Pitt Program Council said students and alumni can watch the show from Bigelow Boulevard and the William Pitt Union patio and lawn.

Merritt said she hopes Homecoming this year will bring some hope to a moment of national uncertainty about the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Find the full story online at

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4

Opinions

Homecoming is the fall’s most important event, especially this year

Jessica Snyder For The Pitt News

Pitt commenced fully in-person classes last Monday — officially ending the online format that began nearly two years ago when the COVID-19 pandemic first began. With life on campus slowly returning to the normal we knew in 2019, it seems only natural to eagerly anticipate Homecoming.

Everyone suffered through the pandemic and its abundant consequences.

While the Delta variant poses a looming threat over students’ safety, we can try and find some relief in the Homecoming events that are still a go — while still being safe, of course. The pandemic has, and continues to, foster a lot of confusion in our daily lives.

Homecoming this year is a reunion, symbolizing a light at the end of the tunnel. With that being said, this year’s festivities are probably the most important ones of our lifetimes, whether you are a fan of Homecoming or not.

Unfortunately, as mentioned before, the pandemic is far from over. Thankfully, however, the University deemed it safe enough to have in-person classes and in-person events. With most of the student population vaccinated and wearing masks, the risks of an event like Homecoming are mitigated.

Pitt left school spirit on the back burner for almost two years as safety took the forefront during the height of the pandemic, and the University discouraged in-person events. With COVID-19 safety concerns steadily subsiding, it goes without question that Homecoming should become a top priority during the fall semester in order to

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strengthen the Pitt community.

Even without considering the tremendous impact that COVID-19 had on social events, this year’s Homecoming is groundbreaking in that it will be the second Homecoming, and first in-person Homecoming, without a gendered king and queen. After a pandemic and much social discourse about neutralizing gendered terms, Homecoming is back and more inclusive than ever.

Pitt has done a fairly good job with inclusivity — such as adding general education requirements and joining the Aspire program — and making the Homecoming court gender neutral only proves that further. Homecoming was already a big event before the pandemic, so showing gender inclusivity in what will surely be a bigger event this year is essential in binding the Pitt community together.

It’s also worth noting that two classes of Pitt students have not experienced a typical college Homecoming. Homecoming in college is worlds away from Homecoming in high school. The student body chose to attend Pitt, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume

that the majority of us have some sort of school spirit. In high school, we went to school based on the zip code that our parents chose for us. Now we go to school based on our interests and strengths, which is certainly something that should be celebrated.

Homecoming was a strange experience for me in high school. I grew up in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia, and it was a big deal when Homecoming came around. There was a Homecoming parade that went around our entire town, as well as a game and a dance on the weekend. Needless to say, Homecoming in college is nothing like what it was in my high school.

The world of college homecoming is vast and has lots of moving parts. Pitt fosters an informal atmosphere so that students can participate in as many or as little Homecoming events as they want — there really is no pressure to even attend at all. A laissez-faire attitude toward Homecoming allows students to make the event their own.

Although I am not a Homecoming organizer myself, I still think there is value in this year’s Homecoming no mat-

ter your background. For one, it is clear that Pitt is making great efforts toward inclusivity — something that should make Homecoming more enjoyable for everyone. Pitt is also actively working toward rejuvenating the student body after the COVID-19 pandemic. With Homecoming returning to an in-person format this year, drumming up school spirit should be an effortless process this fall semester.

Homecoming is ultimately what you make of it, whether you enjoy watching football or not. With numerous events lined up for the week, surely there will be at least one to appeal to each and every student at the University. After such a long period of disengagement from campus, it seems only right to celebrate each other through the diversity and unconditional love that this year’s Homecoming can offer. If safety remains the priority at homecoming, this event could be one for the books.

Jessica Snyder primarily writes about controversy in art and politics. Write to her at jes341@pitt.edu.

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September 22, 2021

5

HOMECOMING SHOULD ALWAYS BE GENDER NEUTRAL Nina Santucci Staff Columnist

The energy surrounding a homecoming game, whether high school or college, is electric — and nothing tops it off better than deeming two worthy students royalty of their respective school. Historically, this royalty was always named a homecoming king and queen — but what about the royalty who are neither a king nor a queen, or are both?

Homecoming court needs to be ungendered in order to give all students an opportunity to be royal and to feel properly represented by their school.

Pitt is one school, along with many others such as Purdue University, that opted for a gender-neutral homecoming

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court. Many students positively received this shift, and it represents progressive change — a change that all colleges and high schools should make.

While the tradition of homecoming games dates back to 1909, the tradition of homecoming royalty began in the 1930s with the crowning of a queen based on button sales, academic standing, beauty and status. The inclusion of a homecoming king didn’t begin until the 1970s. In more recent years, a vote among peers decided the homecoming court and winners — the ultimate popularity contest.

As important as gender identity is, it didn’t become a common topic in public discourse until recent years. The discussion surrounding gender comes with the

acknowledgement of gendered speech as well as gender stereotypes. While it’s a difficult concept for some people to understand and accept, younger generations especially moved mountains in destigmatizing gender roles and taking action to create gender-inclusive environments.

The benefits of a gender-neutral court may not be obvious, but they’re extensive. The most obvious being that any student, identifying as any gender, can be a candidate. Along with this, the two winners can be any gender, meaning the court relies solely on how many votes they receive as individuals. This eliminates the pressure to run in pairs, as well as the issue of someone being crowned only because they earned the most votes for their particular gender.

A hypothetical situation can explain the concept more clearly. Let’s say there are 10 people on the homecoming court — half are men and half are women and one of each must be crowned. Students have two votes for whoever they desire.

All five women receive more votes than all of the men. Due to the stereotype that there must be a king and a queen, one of the men is crowned instead of the two women with the most votes.

Pitt eliminated this issue by choosing the winners only by the amount of votes, with gender completely set aside.

It’s also important in a college setting that homecoming court be gender neutral, because the winners are often awarded a scholarship of some amount — Spirit of Pitt award winners receive $1,500 in student resource funding. Candidates spend extensive time, energy and money campaigning in order to earn the most votes — it wouldn’t be fair to deprive someone of a well-earned scholarship just because they don’t identify as a specific gender. Imagine dedicating so much effort into a scholarship, technically winning, but being denied

September 22, 2021

the award based exclusively on whether or not you’re a man or woman. This concept applies in the workforce — it is illegal to reject someone for a job based on gender, so how could a university reject students’ scholarships because of gender?

College homecoming is a competition above all else — not so much the popularity contest it was before — and there’s more on the line than just glory.

The opportunity to win a scholarship should be available to any and all students at a university, no matter their gender.

It is just as important for high schools to have gender-neutral homecoming.

High school age students deserve proper representation and opportunities during a time of crucial mental, physical and emotional development.

Everyone deserves to feel included and respected, despite gender identity. If schools take the step in creating genderneutral homecoming courts, they can help set the new standard for other institutions and traditions regarding gender stereotypes and stigmas.

The common argument defending traditional homecoming customs is that since it’s always been this way, it should remain this way — a classic appeal to tradition fallacy. With this type of mentality, society would never progress, and the people benefitting from a progressive society would not be able to express themselves proudly in it.

The tradition of king and queen, while exciting, is outdated and sexist, and it is not necessarily exciting for everyone. If schools want all of their students to feel inspired, spirited and excited about events and other opportunities they have to offer, then they must represent all students.

Follow Nina on Instagram and Twitter @ninaboebeana or email her at nns16@ pitt.edu.

6

Transfer Panther’s Homecoming advice Ashanti McLaurin Staff Columnist

The COVID-19 pandemic took away a lot of the college experience from students — in-person classes, football games and especially homecoming.

Homecoming is an event in college that one should not miss. It’s a way for alumni to come back and reminisce on their previous college years and for current students to cherish the traditions and people of the University.

As a transfer student, I never got the opportunity to experience the true definition of being a Pitt Panther. I was ready to experience my first semester at Pitt in fall 2020, yet that was spent confined in my bedroom with a laptop on Zoom.

Back on campus, masked and fully vaccinated one year later, I am ready to see what a Pitt Homecoming might look like while we’re still stuck in a pandemic.

What should you do at Homecoming?

Everything you see — that is still safe and socially distanced, since we’re still in a pandemic. Pitt packed this year’s Homecoming full of fun and adventurous activities in person and virtual for everyone’s personal preference. Here are some events you can attend to make your Homecoming weekend a memorable one.

Welcome back and check-in Are you a Pitt alumnus? Do you miss walking around campus and Oakland?

Did you miss seeing your classmates and favorite professors? Friday from noon to 7:30 p.m. at the William Pitt Union, by the Panther statue, is Welcome Back and Check-in. Whether you’re a new alumnus or graduated more than 20 years ago, this event is a day for alumni to gather with their previous peers and relive the college experience. The Pitt band will bring back their “snake” tradition — marching through campus and playing songs that will get you on your feet and excited for the anticipated football game.

Annual football game Saturday at noon at Heinz Field is the long-awaited Homecoming football

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game that students, parents, alumni, staff and Pittsburgh residents can attend.

This year’s game is between the Panthers and the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. The excitement is through the roof for the annual Homecoming game that everyone has waited for since classes were online last academic year. Before I came to Pitt, I’d always heard that Pittsburgh is a city full of football fanatics, but since becoming a cheerleader for the Spirit Squad, I have come to realize how true this statement is. I highly recommend enjoying the company of the parade, friends, football, tailgating and Pitt traditions.

Fireworks and laser show To cool off from a hype afternoon football game, consider attending the annual firework and laser show. The Pitt Program Council is in charge of the festive and colorful Firework and Laser show, which will begin Saturday at 9 p.m.

by the William Pitt Union and Cathedral of Learning. The tradition is usually held the Friday before the football game, but this year it’s in the evening — making it a night to remember. Pitt students and alumni can watch our cherished and historical Cathedral of Learning light up in a variety of colors. Laying out on the Great Lawn with friends can be relaxing and make you appreciate all Pitt has to offer.

Whether this is your first or fourth Pitt Homecoming, the University worked to create a fun, safe and enjoyable set of events for all current students, alumni and community. I’m excited to not only cheer during Homecoming, but to understand the true meaning of Hailing to Pitt.

Ashanti McLaurin primarily writes about Black culture, human injustices and gives life advice. Write to her at azm18@pitt.edu.

September 22, 2021

7

Sports

pitt grads return to city, heinz field as the opponent

Frankie Richetti Staff Writer

Homecoming came early at Heinz Field for two Pitt graduates returning to face their former team. A pair of former Panthers celebrated in front of friends and family on the turf they called home for years on Saturday, after defeating a team they transferred away from.

Senior defensive backs Bricen Garner and Therran Coleman both hail from Pittsburgh and opted to stay home and play for their hometown university back in 2016, as members of the same recruiting class under Panthers head coach Pat

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Narduzzi. They helped their new team — the Western Michigan Broncos — shock the Panthers in a 44-41 upset win last weekend.

Each spent four years at Pitt before transferring to Western Michigan together in 2020. The duo got the chance to return home this past weekend to play at Heinz Field once more, but this time on the opposing sideline from their former teammates.

They look back fondly on their time in Pittsburgh. Garner said it meant a lot to both players to represent their City at Pitt.

“Being from the City, it was everything

you could ask for,” Garner said.

Coleman added that he’s maintained the bonds he built with many of the players from his class.

“It was a great bonding moment,” Coleman said. “I have a great relationship with those guys.”

The duo combined to appear in 77 games as Panthers, starting eight of those contests. Coleman left the Panthers to join the Broncos in January 2020 as a graduate transfer, and Garner followed suit that summer, announcing his transfer with a year of eligibility remaining. Both assumed the 2020 season would be their last ride, until the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the NCAA granted collegiate athletes an extra year to play.

Coleman did not play for the entirety of the 2020 season due to an injury that occured in practice, which made his decision to take the extra year an easy one. Garner shined throughout his 2020 season, starting all six games for the Broncos and totaling four pass breakups and 3.5 tackles for loss, which was good enough to earn First Team All-MAC honors.

The Central Catholic grad said he excelled because “everything molded me into the player I am today. All the trials and tribulations allowed me to flourish.”

When Garner surveyed his options in the transfer portal, Coleman urged him to do what was best for himself. The two built a friendship that dates back years — starting in high school when they played together for Evolve, a 7-on-7 football team based out of western Pennsylvania. They also played together in the Big 33 Classic, a showcase event for Pennsylvania’s and Maryland’s elite high school talent.

The pair is excited about getting the opportunity to play together again this season. Garner and Coleman were in the

September 22, 2021

starting lineups against the Panthers last weekend.

“It makes it more fun, we are like brothers,” Coleman said. “It makes me more comfortable with [Garner] back there.”

Both couldn’t deny that lining up against their former teammates added extra emotion to the game.

“It makes it more fun, I bet they think of me still,” Coleman said.

Garner added that during game week, there was some added emotion playing against the Panthers that he tried to ignore.

“It’s another game but you also have a little connection there,” Garner said. “I’m treating it as business.”

During a media availability last week, Pitt senior wide receiver Taysir Mack said Coleman was one of the first friends he met after arriving in Pittsburgh and was excited to play against him. When asked, Coleman didn’t pinpoint one player in particular he was looking forward to playing against — insisting he was eager to play against “all 70 guys.”

Garner anticipated a lot of love upon returning to Heinz FIeld from friends and family living in the City.

“There’s gonna be a lot of energy, a lot of love,” Garner said. “Anytime you get to play in front of your family at any point of your career, it’s special.”

The respect was still there though, as in the midst of the Broncos celebrating across the Heinz Field turf, the first thing Garner did was meet Pitt super senior quarterback Kenny Pickett at midfield and shake his hand. Pickett was a part of the same recruiting class that brought in the duo of defensive backs back in 2016.

“They're great players,” Pickett said. “I knew they were going to be really tough today — they both had great games.”

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September 22, 2021

10

Narduzzi, Panthers look to avoid another letdown on Saturday against UNH

Assistant Sports Editor The UNH Wildcats will come to Pittsburgh to face the Panthers this Saturday for another out-of-conference matchup. This is the final outof-conference game for the Panthers before they start their conference schedule.

The Panthers (2-1, 0-0 ACC) are coming off, arguably, one of the more disappointing losses of head coach Pat Narduzzi’s tenure. Pitt came into last week’s matchup with Western Michigan with hopes of jumping into the Associated Press top25 rankings. Riding high off of a win against Tennessee, it seemed like the Panthers weren’t dialed in mentally.

“I think physically we were prepared,” Narduzzi said. “I'm not sure mentally we were. I can't look inside. As I told the kids, I can't crack your head open and look inside and see what's in there, where's your mind been all week, what are you tweeting, what are you snapping. I don't know.

UNH (3-0, 2-0 America East Conference) comes in after winning three in a row, but the Panthers are still considered the favorites to win the game. But the Panthers proved last week that just because they’re favored doesn’t guarantee they’ll win.

Here’s what to look for this Saturday.

Will Israel Abanikanda see more touches?

The most confusing storyline coming from this Pitt football team is the lack of touches for sophomore running back Israel Abanikanda.

Narduzzi was adamant that Abanikanda was one of his more reliable running backs heading into the season.

But through three games, Narduzzi has not backed up his training camp praises. Abanikanda has only picked up 20 carries for 76 yards, leaving him third in total rushes and yards. The seventh-year head coach named senior A.J. Davis the starter in week one, and the next two weeks it was junior Vincent Davis taking the bulk of the carries.

In the loss to Western Michigan, Abanikanda carried the ball just once and promptly posted a peace sign emoji to his Instagram story after the game. The post immediately prompted speculation that he’d transfer out of frustration with his lack of playing time. But the running back took to Twitter to say the post instead indicated he’d stay off social media rather than leave the pro-

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gram.

Narduzzi has expressed some concern with the lack of a reliable running game since training camp, and it seems to be lingering — redshirt senior quarterback Kenny Pickett currently has more rushing yards than any of the team’s running backs. Whether it’s an issue with the offensive line or the running back on the field, something needs to change, and it sounds like Narduzzi may finally get Abanikanda more involved this weekend.

“He'll get more carries this week,” Narduzzi said. “We'll set it up, I'll make sure it happens. But I’ve got a lot of faith in Izzy and he's going to get more carries this weekend for sure.”

Whether he comes through with his promise or not remains to be seen.

Narduzzi vs. the fans Narduzzi is under contract to coach the Panthers through at least the 2024 season. But some people want to see someone else at the helm before then.

After the loss, fans took to Twitter to voice their displeasure with the head coach. Fans are becoming increasingly impatient with Narduzzi’s repeated losses in games that many expect him to win.

To add fuel to the fire, Narduzzi expressed that he felt responsible for the loss, but quickly dismissed it as “one ballgame.” He added that the team would not dwell on it due to the fact that it was an out-of-conference game.

Some fans didn’t like that he was so dismissive about such a morale-killing loss.

When asked if he had a message for the fans who were frustrated, it didn’t seem like Narduzzi was too worried about outside opinions.

“I’m worried about all the guys [on my team],” Narduzzi said. “I can’t help the fans. I’ll apologize to them and try to prevent it from happening again.”

Luckily for Narduzzi, it’s not up to the fans whether or not he sticks around until 2024 — it’s athletic director Heather Lyke’s decision whether or not to put him on the hot seat. But the fanbase is certainly growing frustrated with Narduzzi, and it may continue to get worse if he doesn’t right the ship.

Can the Panthers bounce back?

The loss, for fans at least, was embarrassing, deflating and morale killing. But according to Narduzzi, his guys came to the UPMC Rooney

Sports Complex the next day in a decent mood.

“You know, it was a good mood, like a normal, to be honest with you, and that's kids in 2021,” Narduzzi said. “T​​h ere was no head-hanging and that's what you expect.”

The Panthers are coming off of a loss that significantly hampers much of the fanbase’s expectations for the rest of the season. With just more than a week until they start conference play, the Panthers have a chance to fix nagging issues this week against UNH. The way Pitt performs this week will tell a lot about the program — can Narduzzi get his guys back on the straight and narrow, or will the loss to the Broncos be one that hangs over the team?

It seems the head coach is fairly confident in his ability to get back in the win column.

“Anything can linger,” Narduzzi said. “We’ve got to just do our best job as coaches to try to get them together and pull it together and go out and beat New Hampshire. So I don't worry about lingering.”

Prediction — Panthers win 31-14

Luckily for the Panthers, they have another low tier team coming to town after the loss to WMU. Pitt should be able to use this game as a tuneup game before starting their ACC slate of games.

UNH has performed very well, going 3-0 to start the season. But none of the competition has been nearly as talented as the Panthers. Pitt’s explosive and methodical passing game will prove to be too much for the Wildcat secondary. If things get out of hand early, don’t expect to see Pickett under center once the game wraps up.

Tennessee and WMU exposed the Panther secondary the past two weeks, the defensive line continued to play fairly well. UNH likes to get its quarterback outside of the pocket and make plays on the move. As long as the defensive line can consistently win the battle up front in the trenches, don’t expect the Wildcat offense to do too much this weekend.

The game will kickoff at noon at Heinz Field on Saturday, and air on both ACCNX and ESPN+.

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11

Kayla Lund looks to finish historic Pitt volleyball career on top

Richie Smiechowski Staff Writer

A hush settled over the tense crowd at Fitzgerald Field House as BYU mounted a comeback in the fourth frame with Pitt leading two sets to one. The Panthers held a comfortable 2421 lead just seconds before, only one point away from their fourth ranked win of the season and eighth overall. Now tied 24-24, dropping the set would mean a do-or-die fifth game.

The Cougars sent the serve over the net and the Panthers immediately pounced — easily sending the ball back to the other side. The teams went back and forth, trading attacks, but right when it mattered most, graduate student outside hitter Kayla Lund leapt above the net, spiking the ball into the BYU half. The Cougars had no chance of returning it.

Lund’s 15th kill of the match killed BYU’s momentum, and the Panthers won the contest on the very next point. In a game which was statistically lackluster by Lund’s high standards, she came alive when her teammates needed

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her — winning four of the last five points for the Panthers in the closing set. Her ability to bounce back from adversity is a quality head coach Dan Fisher said is instrumental to the team’s success.

“There’s been so many games over her career where she’s had a bad set or a bad swing, then all the sudden you look at her stats at the end of the game and she’s still hitting .300,” Fisher said. “At any moment she can pull herself out of a rut and that’s the kind of leader we want.”

For Lund and the Panthers, dominance on the court is a yearly routine since her arrival in 2017. During her tenure at Pitt, the Panthers racked up three ACC championships in four seasons, while also making it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament last year — the closest the program has ever come to a national championship.

Before Lund’s arrival, the Panthers were on the rise, but couldn’t quite push into the upper echelon of teams in the ACC. Their record improved from year to year, but ultimately came up just short each of their four years in the conference.

All the way across the country in Pasadena, California, Lund was a phenom — named as an All-American in each of her four years at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. Pitt wasn’t hesitant in pursuing the nation’s top talent and it made Lund a top priority, beginning the recruiting process in her sophomore year.

“They were one of the first teams to really start recruiting me heavily and believing in me,” Lund said. “Coming from California was the only hesitation I had about this program, just being in my own little bubble my whole entire life.”

Two unofficial visits and countless conversations with the coaching staff later, Lund finally committed to Pitt during her junior year of high school. There are a lot of reasons why Lund chose Pitt, according to Fisher, but he said it ultimately came down to a stroke of good fortune.

“I’m sure it helped that I was from the same area as her,” Fisher, who’s also a southern California native, said. “I think she just made a good connection with the coaching staff, and we got lucky.”

Now in her fifth and final year at Pitt, Lund

September 22, 2021

can look back at her commitment fondly. From day one of her recruitment, the coaching staff pitched their visions of success and progression with her as one of the centerpieces — visions that would quickly come to fruition and validate Lund’s decision to leave the west coast and come to Pittsburgh.

“I wanted to do something different than staying close to home,” Lund said. “It was scary at the time, but looking back, it was easily the best decision I’ve ever made.”

In four complete seasons with the program, Lund has built a historic resumé of personal achievements. In 2019 and 2020-21, she notched back-to-back ACC Player of the Year awards — the only Panther to achieve the award and the first in ACC history to repeat. She’s also the only player in program history to earn two selections to an All-American team.

Lund continues to etch her name into the Pitt record books this season, becoming the

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September 22, 2021

13

Marquis Williams sets himself apart with a ‘lion heart’

Dalton Coppola

Assistant Sports Editor When asked if there is any player he wanted to match up against, redshirt junior defensive back Marquis Williams did not hesitate to answer.

“I want Justyn Ross,” Williams said.

Clemson junior wide receiver Justyn Ross is widely regarded as the best receiver in the ACC, and Williams thinks he’s good enough to guard the best. But there’s a significant obstacle standing in the defensive back’s path to beat the best — Williams is more than half of a foot shorter than Ross.

The defensive back stands at just 5-foot-9, guarding players who are typically much taller than him. What sets him apart is what Williams calls his “lion heart.”

“I’m not the biggest on the field but it comes down to heart,” Williams said. “I play with all heart when I go out there. I don’t worry about size, I don’t worry about anything. I just go out there, get the call and play football.”

As an undersized defensive back, the odds were stacked against Williams coming out of Pompano Beach, Fla. But he still managed to rack up offers from multiple Power Five schools, including Clemson and Minnesota.

Williams could have played for a myriad of teams in the ACC, but when it came to where he’d be playing college football, one relationship with a former Panther made Pitt stand out.

Williams and Avonte Maddox, a Philadelphia Eagles defensive back and former Panther, forged a relationship when Williams was in high school touring college football programs. Maddox also stands at just 5-foot-9 and laid the blueprint for Williams to make a name for himself in Pittsburgh and eventually the NFL. “When I committed here I was talking to [Maddox] day in and day out,” Williams said. “We’re almost the same height, he's got about an inch on me so I was watching his tape and asking him questions on what I can do

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when I get [to Pittsburgh] and how to scheme myself into the defense.”

Heading into the 2020 season, Williams found himself fighting for playing time at training camp. Williams waited for the opportunity to prove himself and when he earned playing time, he made the most of it.

Williams didn’t do it by himself, though.

The Panther defense was among the best in the country — they tallied more sacks than any team in the country and ranked No. 24 in total offense allowed. The defense fed off one another. Williams and his counterparts in the secondary forced the quarterback to hold onto the football with blanket coverage, allowing the line to put pressure on the quarterback and rack up sacks.

The defensive line — one that had two NFL Draft picks in Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver — put pressure on ACC quarterbacks all season long. The pressure forced quarterbacks to make decisions faster than usual, leading to the defensive backs reaping the rewards of errant and rushed throws.

When Williams announced he would return to Pitt for the 2021 season, the already loaded defensive back room immediately received a boost. In a talented conference, Williams was one of four returning defensive backs who allowed less than 50% completion and less than six yards when targeted in coverage.

Now three weeks into the season, the Panther secondary is certainly missing safeties Jason Pinnock and Paris Ford, after giving up 78 points in the last two weeks. But one thing that hasn’t wavered is Williams’ energy. Even when playing from behind, fans can see him running up and down the sidelines with energy and passion cheering on his offense. It seems Williams is one of the first to congratulate his teammates after making a play.

“We’re a Pitt tough defense,” Williams said.

“To be here and play on this defense you gotta bring that type of attitude. So everyday I pad up with my defensive players, I try to bring that toughness … I don’t care about me being small because I know what I bring to the table and I know that I’m going to play my heart out.”

Williams attributed his success this year to competition among the defensive backs at practice. Fellow defensive back M.J. Devon-

September 22, 2021

shire echoed Williams’ praises for his teammates.

“We’ve got one of the most talented corner rooms I’ve ever been in,” Devonshire, a redshirt sophomore, said. “Those guys push you to compete because they make plays and then you want to make plays … that goes for our whole room we’re all going in and we want to make plays and put our name on the board one day and hopefully all be drafted.”

Head coach Pat Narduzzi also mentioned that he could visibly see Williams’ attitude showing on the field. Even when it seemed a receiver beat him downfield, he wouldn’t give up and consistently closed the gap of separation — citing a play against Tennessee that impressed him.

“You look at Marquis, he was behind and then he finishes,” Narduzzi said. “He's out of phase and finishes on that big, deep play …

He just finished and played great football, and that's a heck of a play.”

At Williams’ height, in order to show off that explosive speed to close gaps and play tight coverage, he needs to put in the work to stop the nation’s best receivers. In the offseason before the 2020 season, Williams turned to a former Pittsburgh sports icon — perennial NFL All-Pro wide receiver and former Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown. The two worked out together in Florida and Williams got exposure to one of the NFL’s most esteemed route runners. Williams believes competing with him was one of the reasons he was successful in 2020.

“I’d say he’s part of the reason I had a good season,” Williams said. “Everybody knows lining up in front of Antonio Brown, you’re not going to see that in the ACC everyday … he’s a great receiver. He got me mentally and physically ready for last season and it was a big help.

I appreciate him so much for that.”

Now that he’s seen how the best of the best train on the offensive side of the football at the professional level, Williams believes he’s ready to take on the ACC’s best on the national stage — including Clemson’s Ross. “[Justyn Ross is] the No. 1 receiver in the ACC right now,” Williams said. “They gotta come to Pittsburgh, they gotta come home and we play man-to-man defense. I’m ready to pad up and go against him and see what he’s got.”

14

Culture

band prepares to celebrate alumnI Jessica McKenzie Senior Staff Writer

Pitt band members spent most of last year practicing marching drills in their dorm rooms over Zoom. Although unable to practice in person during their senior year, last year’s graduates have the opportunity to apply their skills on the field one last time at the band’s homecoming game performance this weekend.

With in-person band activities resuming this semester, the band is gearing up for its Alumni Band Day halftime performance during Pitt’s homecoming football game this Saturday. Band members from the class of 2021 will join current bandies, dotting the “i” as the band spells “Pitt” during the pregame show.

Victoria Bistarkey, a former alto saxophone section leader who graduated last May, was responsible for maintaining a positive environment during her section’s Zoom rehearsals last year. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Pitt.

Bistarkey said she is excited for this weekend’s performance because she didn’t get the chance to experience last year’s Senior Day due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On a traditional Senior Day, the band’s seniors march off the field at the end of their show as a graduating class.

“It's really exciting, and I'm really thankful for the opportunity, especially given that COVID is still happening,” Bistarkey said. “But it’s also sad because we missed out on our senior year in band, and experiencing that is kind of a rite of passage.”

Bistarkey transferred to Pitt from a small university during her second semester of college. She said that although she was hesitant at first, joining the Pitt band completely transformed her college life.

“When I first came to Pitt, I really felt like

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a fish out of water — I didn’t understand how anyone could love college,” Bistarkey said. “But I gave the Pitt band a shot — it gave me a great connection to the University and I became so proud to be a Pitt student.”

The Pitt band is part of the University’s athletic department, offering its members a distinct experience as musicians who work closely with athletes. According to Bistarkey, the athletic directors maintain a close relationship with the band and often talk to students about what a positive impact the band has at Pitt games.

“The department members always welcome you with open arms — as you grow, they're there for you and give you a sense of a smaller community within a bigger community,” Bistarkey said. “While I was adjusting to transferring to Pitt, that really helped me get to a better mental health place.”

Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, only vaccinated alumni are allowed to perform at the halftime show, according to the Pitt Band Alumni Council. There is an alumni tailgate, pregame concert and March to Victory parade before the homecoming game where any band alumni are welcome to join if pre-registered.

The band performed a few shows, while socially distanced, last year. Bistarkey said one of her proudest achievements as section leader is maintaining strong bonds between band members, despite their inability to meet in person most of the time.

“I was proud that the band worked to keep everyone safe last year — we connected virtually and we got to go to one or two games,” Bistarkey said. “We tried our hardest to make it as fun as we could even though we had to stand eight stadium seats away from each other.”

Scotty Poepoe graduated this past spring and will rejoin the Pitt band’s trumpet section See Band on page 17

September 22, 2021

15

DON’T BE BASIC: A TAILGATE FOOD GUIDE

Nadiya Greaser Staff Writer

With homecoming around the corner and football season in full swing, the tailgate — that venerated pregame tradition and flimsy excuse to drink before noon — is back. Pitt students are piling into parking lots with grills, coolers and too much school spirit.

Although the football game is ostensibly the point, the tailgate beforehand has a life entirely of its own. The traditional foods and drinks of the tailgate are so well established that the prospect of burgers and beers every other Saturday feels a little basic. While beer and chips are no-preparation-required staples, you can spice up old classics or show your school spirit with these improved tailgate recipes.

Hot Dogs with Pico De Gallo — Tanya Sickynsky The fresh tomatoes, spicy jalapeños and grilled buns give these classic hotdogs a more adult twist. Not that ketchup and mustard aren’t great, but if we had to rank them, pico de gallo is the sexier topping.

This recipe is endlessly adjustable — if you don’t have jalapeños, you can substitute serrano peppers, add cubed mango or pineapple for a bit of sweetness or sriracha mayo for a little bit of a kick.

Corn on the Cob, 3 ways — Emily Fleischaker, Melissa Clark Make the most of summer vegetables with these three variations of grilled corn on the cob. Emily Fleischaker’s buffalo corn on the cob combines the punch

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of hot wings and the sugary sweetness of summer corn, giving a vegetarian alternative to wings while still making use of a grill.

For something even simpler, try Fleischaker’s Old Bay and lemon corn, which leans into the seaside flavor of loaded fries or crab legs without any seafood at all.

Or try Melissa Clark’s variation on elotes, which takes grilled corn and loads it with mayonnaise, lime, chile and cheese.

Grilled Vegetable Skewers — Melissa Clark Another easy vegetarian option for those lucky tailgaters with a grill is grilled vegetable skewers. While this recipe calls for zucchini and eggplant, you can experiment with whatever vegetables you have on hand.

Adding crisp red onions or meaty portobello mushrooms is an easy way to enhance these already excellent skewers, whose appeal lies in the easy prep and quick marinade. If you use wood skewers instead of metal, make sure to soak them in water for at least a half-hour before you put them on the grill.

Caprese Salad — Melissa Clark For the taste of bright summer vegetables and fresh herbs without a grill, throw together a simple Caprese salad.

Use multicolored heirloom tomatoes, basil and whole milk mozzarella for the most vibrant-looking and best tasting salad. And if you have it, add some ribbons of prosciutto for a salted flavor and more texture.

If you want a salad that’s easier to serve out of a large bowl — use rainbow cherry tomatoes and ciliengine balls — and hold off on the balsamic until you’re ready to serve.

Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad — Martha Rose Shulman This watermelon salad can make use of a grill, but it doesn’t really matter if you don’t have one — the sweet water-

September 22, 2021

melon, bright red onion and creamy feta stand on their own. Don’t be afraid to go heavier with the mint and feta, or put your own spin on it by adding pineapple or heirloom tomatoes.

The recipe calls for sherry vinegar and Aleppo pepper, but it’s just as good with salt and pepper and balsamic vinegar, and it’s best if you wait to dress it until just before serving — otherwise the watermelon and feta get melty and soggy.

Blue and Gold Rice Krispy Treats — Jennifer Segal Although the recipe calls for a stove, these rice krispy treats can be made in a microwave, as long as you have a large microwave-safe bowl. If you do have a stove, use it — the browned butter gives the rice krispy treats a more complex, nuttier flavor.

Leave one to two cups of marshmallows unmelted and mix them in afterward to create gooey, mallowey pockets. To add some texture and a darker flavor, melt down chocolate chips or a dark chocolate bar and drizzle the rice krispies to add another level of flavor.

If you have colorful sprinkles or nonpareils, cover the tops — obviously blue and gold sprinkles are best. After all, it’s game day.

Fizzy Blueberry Lemonade, Traditional or Spiked — Chungah Rhee This is another recipe that calls for a stove, but can be made in a dorm microwave if needed. The blueberry simple syrup makes this lemonade darker and fruitier. While the brightly colored syrup is on theme, you can use the same simple syrup recipe and substitute strawberries, raspberries or blackberries.

While the recipe uses five cups of water, you can substitute seltzer or ginger beer to make a fizzy lemonade. And if you want to make an alcoholic pitcher drink, add a cup of gin or vodka to create a homemade gin fizz or vodka lemonade.

16

Band, pg. 15 this homecoming weekend. He joined the band during his first semester at Pitt and became head drum major in his senior year. He said he is looking forward to this weekend’s performance because he has the opportunity to have one last performance as a class.

“This feels like this is like an opportunity for the class of 2021 to get one last hurrah,” Poepoe said. “After all this time spent as a team, we’ve made so many memories between practice, games and hanging out all the time — we finally get one last goodbye.”

Poepoe majored in mechanical engineering and now works for Aerotech, a manufacturing company in Pittsburgh. He said his time in the band defined his experience as a Pitt student, and he is grateful to have represented the City through such a large historic organization.

“The Pitt band taught me so much — being a drum major really improved my leadership skills, communication, work ethic and time management,” Poepoe said.

According to Evan Klein, a 2021 alumnus and former drumline section leader, band members graduate with an immense amount of connections with other former bandies in the professional world. Currently pursuing his mas-

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ter’s in public health at Pitt, Klein said Pitt band members always share a connection whether or not they played together.

“It doesn't really matter where you go, there's always going to be somebody that you have a lifeline to,” Klein said. “You have that immediate connection where, as a Pitt student, you had band friends immediately, as well as really cool experiences and opportunities in band — it builds a great network.”

Klein said as an undergraduate Pitt student, he’d originally planned to come back after graduating to teach drills to the band, but was unable to because of COVID-19 restrictions. But he was able to assist during one of the marching band’s training camps in July. In the meantime, he practices drumming every day.

Klein said the band’s annual August drumline summer camp helped him make many friends during his first year at Pitt. The camp starts two weeks before all first-year students move in.

“Immediately, you have 25 to 30 friends — you don't have to really try with them because you’re spending so much time with them during mandatory functions that you always have something to talk about,” Klein said. “Band leads to these really incredible lifelong friendships, and that’s something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.”

Victoria Bistarkey, a former alto saxophone section leader who graduated last May, was responsible for maintaining a positive environment during her section’s Zoom rehearsals last year. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Pitt. black. Image courtesy of Harry Bloomberg

September 22, 2021

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September 22, 2021

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• NORTH OAKLAND • SOUTH OAKLAND • SHADYSIDE • SQUIRREL HILL • SOUTHSIDE • NORTHSIDE • BLOOMFIELD • ROOMMATES • OTHER

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2X $11.90 $14.20

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Two business days prior by 3pm | Email: advertising@pittnews.com | Phone: 412.648.7978

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Call Integrity Fighter 724‑223‑0939 any time. Management, LLC a Pittsburgh‑based ath­lete PROFESSIONAL management com­ ATHLETE‑BOXING pany, seeks to employ a profes­sional boxer for Integrity Fighter im­mediate competition Management, LLC a in the United States and Pittsburgh‑based ath­lete internationally. Candi­ management com­ date must have extensive pany, seeks to employ a experience in amateur profes­sional boxer for boxing competition im­mediate competition and have demonstrated in the United States and suc­cess, including tour­ internationally. Candi­ nament champi­onships. date must have extensive Candidate must also experience in amateur have com­pleted a mini­ boxing competition mum of ten documented and have demonstrated com­petitive bouts as suc­cess, including tour­ a professional boxer. nament champi­onships. Boxer must be able to Candidate must also compete at 201+ lbs have com­pleted a mini­ weight class and main­ mum of ten documented tain optimum physical com­petitive bouts as fitness lev­els by training a professional boxer. regu­larly and following Boxer must be able nutrition plans. to compete at 122 lbs The Boxer will train weight class and main­ in Pittsburgh, at the tain optimum physical direction of a Coach, and fitness lev­els by training compete in pro­fessional regu­larly and following boxing com­petitions. nutrition plans.

This in­cludes physical The Boxer will train condi­tioning as well as in Pittsburgh, at the fol­lowing nutritional direction of a Coach, and and health plans. They compete in pro­fessional are also ex­pected to boxing com­petitions. participate in various This in­cludes physical promo­tional events using condi­tioning as well as traditional and social fol­lowing nutritional media and educa­tional and health plans. They session for those inter­ are also ex­pected to ested in joining the sport. participate in various Send resume and list of promo­tional events using amateur and pro­fessional traditional and social fights with results to: media and educa­tional integri­typroboxing@ session for those inter­ gmail.­com. ested in joining the sport.

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Please pro­vide a resume, availability, and a brief statement of your back­ ground and goals.

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