NOT JUST A SPORTS CITY: PITTSBURGH CULTURE IS HIDDEN BUT VIBRANT
Sarah Connor
Senior Staff Writer This article is a reprint from our 2018 New Student Guide. I grew up in a small town about 25 miles outside of the City — near the Pittsburgh International Airport — called Moon Township. It was common for people from my town to attend schools in and around the City, and I come from a long line of Pitt alumni. But I was independent as a kid and wanted to have new experiences, so my family ties to Pitt made me ignore it as an option rather than gravitate toward it. Pittsburgh itself didn’t excite me much either. With many successful athletic teams, I always felt like it was a city for sports fans instead of music and art buffs. I didn’t care for Steelers games — and that still rings true today
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— but I was eventually introduced to the other intriguing parts of Pittsburgh that appealed to students with artistic and literary bents. The summer before my senior year, I toured universities all around Ohio and New York. From Ohio University to Ithaca College, I was sure I could spread my wings and move far from Pittsburgh. But after pressure from my family, I sent in an application to Pitt. They wanted me to have the option to stay close to home in case I changed my mind about going far away, but at the time, I rolled my eyes and considered it a waste. But during those summer months leading up to my final year of high school, something interrupted my determination to get out of Pittsburgh. An old friend of mine invited me out to one of downtown Pittsburgh’s Rooftop
Shindigs — a live music and film event held on the roof of the Theater Square Garage multiple times every summer. This gave me the chance to experience a side of Pittsburgh I had never seen before. That evening I saw the Pittsburghbased, indie rock band Nevada Color play, a group that is now one of my favorite bands. The band members tossed beach balls around into the audience while rock music blared and people danced. That show led me to delve deep into Pittsburgh’s music scene. Soon enough, I was taking the 28X bus from the airport to the City to go to shows in Pittsburgh as often as I could, jamming to other local and national bands I had only just discovered. Pittsburgh’s music culture had me traveling around the city more than before, taking me
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to places like Wigle Whiskey and the now-closed Altar Bar to see metal groups, emo bands and synth-pop duos perform. My brother was a sophomore at Pitt at the time, which also got me into the City more often. Getting the chance to visit him at his South Oakland apartment was how I toured Pitt’s campus. He introduced me to Market Central, the now-closed Qdoba on Forbes and his classrooms in Benedum Hall. Sushi Fuku, Fuel & Fuddle and Dave & Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream were other places I experienced for the first time during those visits. But the best part of visiting him was realizing how close he was to cultural landmarks like Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and the Carn-
See Connor on page 52
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PANTHERS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE IN FOOTBALL OPENER
Trent Leonard
Senior Staff Writer While college football programs like Penn State and LSU typically start their seasons by playing traditional “cupcake” opponents like Idaho and Georgia Southern, this year Pitt decided to take a different approach for its 2019 season opener. The Panthers will instead play an immensely consequential division game against one of the toughest opponents on their schedule, the Virginia Cavaliers. Pitt fans have grown accustomed to the Panthers starting their season off on an easy note — in recent years, their opening day opponents have included Delaware, Youngstown State and Albany. Pitt hasn’t kicked off a season with a division opponent since 2013, its first year in the ACC, when the Panthers took on Jameis Winston and the
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The Pitt Panthers took on the Virginia Cavaliers in Pitt’s second ACC matchup of the season in October 2014 in Charlottesville. www.b2photollc.com
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eventual national champion Florida State Seminoles. Winston torched the Panthers by completing 25 of 27 passes as Florida State notched its first win in a dominant undefeated season. This Virginia team is no 2013 Florida State, but the Cavaliers certainly have high expectations entering 2019. They’re the overwhelming favorites to win the Coastal division, having received 82 first-place votes from 173 ACC media members who took a preseason poll. Betting outlets are a little less friendly, setting Virginia’s over/under for wins at 7.5 games, behind both Virginia Tech (8) and Miami (8.5). Still, it’s obvious that many people are bullish on Virginia’s chance at success this year. But why? After all, this is a team that has been a perennial See Opener on page 54
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SOUTH OAKLAND COULD BE BEAUTIFUL IF WE JUST TRIED
Grace McGinness
Staff Columnist South Oakland is a popular destination for Pitt students living on their own for the first time. It’s as close to the University as off-campus housing can get, with the average walk to school clocking in at about 10 minutes, and rent doesn’t get too bad. Yet a good deal of students are willing to undergo a longer commute for other neighborhoods in Pittsburgh like Shadyside or Squirrel Hill. It’s understandable — walk along a South O avenue and you’ll notice a plethora of overflowing trash cans and unmowed lawns. Long-term residents have often had issues with the transient student population concerning the upkeep of the neighbor-
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Bates Street in South Oakland. Thomas Yang | visual editor
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hood. On one hand, it’s hard to expect students to be masters of home maintenance — college often marks the first time people live in their own homes without an older guardian, so most don’t even know what they’re doing half of the time when it comes to maintaining their living space. But the job of a student is to learn, and we shouldn’t settle for a failing grade when it comes to the places we’re inhabiting. If we, as college students, can rally our numbers to be more responsible neighbors, it would become a nicer place for everyone to live, if only for a brief while. Taking care of personal trash can See McGinness on page 56
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THE PITT NEWS OPINIONS DESK FAMILY NEWSLETTER
TOP 10: RESTAURANTS TO HIT WHEN YOU GET BACK TO SCHOOL
Julia Kreutzer
Senior Staff Columnist Every time I tell someone where I go to school, without fail, I get asked about Primanti Bros. Now comes the point where I confess what some yinzers would consider a capital offense: I’ve never been. But with so many delicious options in and around Oakland, you can’t blame me for choosing juicy burgers, cheesy pizza or flavorful sushi over an impossible-to-eat, french fry-stuffed sandwich. While Primanti’s “Almost Famous” sandwich is a Steel City staple, there are so many more neighborhood joints that helped us earn the title of the nation’s Top Food City for 2019. I am dreading returning to early morning classes and Pittsburgh rain, but the anticipation of my favorite dishes has me counting down the days until I head back to campus. Here are my top 10 restaurants that I can’t wait to be reunited with. 10. Treats and Beans Nestled on Meyran Avenue is one of Oakland’s most underrated dessert spots: Treats and Beans. Serving coffee, waffles, crepes and pancakes topped with all kinds of candy, fruit and other sugar-ridden delicacies, this restaurant is poised to take the hearts of those with a sweet tooth all over Oakland. In a shocking twist, it also serves nachos (a welcome, yet unexpected treat). For a delicious selection of sweets featuring a guest appearance from a Mexican classic, Treats and Beans should be on
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your list. 9. Sorrento’s Sorrento’s makes the list for one reason and one reason only: ranch. For $6.50, you can get a large, scalding hot pizza pie accompanied by two servings of what is basically glorified water with a sprinkle of ambiguous ranch flavor. I have literally no idea what I am putting in my body, but on a late night in South O, nothing can beat it. Antoon’s is quaking in its boots. 8. The Abbey on Butler Street North of Oakland lies one of Pittsburgh’s most eclectic, vibrant neighborhoods: Lawrenceville. The Abbey on Butler Street is a prime example of the neighborhood’s bustling, innovative food scene. Serving as a coffeehouse, pub and bistro, this spot is the Lady Gaga of cuisine — it can truly do it all. It’s the perfect spot to camp out in the morning to get work done with a cup o’ joe, take the family for a farewell dinner or stop for drinks on date night. 7. Roots Natural Kitchen I dieted for a week in March. During that fateful low point in my semester, Roots was the only thing that got me through. Its diverse selection of healthconscious options allows you to create endless combinations of salads and rice bowls. When it opened early last semester, it truly reshaped my eating habits. It’s the perfect place to hit if you want to impress visitors with just how healthy you are or have been weighed down See Kreutzer on page 58
Staff satirist Alison Dantinne welcomes back some of her fellow columnists in the opinions section after a busy summer. Janine Faust | contributing editor
Allison Dantinne
Senior Staff Columnist Dear Entire Pitt Campus, Because I Assume You All Read My Articles, It’s been a busy summer for The Pitt News opinions desk, but all that hustling and bustling must feather out as August approaches and we start our preparations for the fast-approaching school year. I can feel our Slack group chat practically burning with anticipation — both for finally seeing each other in the sun-crisped flesh again and, of course, for our editor Maggie’s
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show-stopping cupcakes. I hear pencils sharpening in the distance. I hear the slight cackle of Leah — our assistant editor — over all of that incessant pencil sharpening. I hear parents mumbling cuss words as they shuffle furniture around their student’s pie slice of a dorm room on the 19th floor of Tower B. I can even hear Chancellor Patrick Gallagher breathing heavily as he waits for his raise to finally hit his bank account. Oh, what wonderful sounds of a bygone summer! See Dantinne on page 60
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Oster, pg. 40 morning routine is setting an alarm to wake up at the same time every morning, even if your class schedule fluctuates or you have nothing planned for the next day. A fixed wake time will help your body adapt to a schedule, which will help you wake up without the hassle of setting 10 different alarms a minute apart and can even help you fall asleep at night. Once you’re awake nice and early, brew yourself a cup of coffee and take the extra time that you have with your morning to decompress and plan out your day. Obviously you don’t have to stick to a precise, hourly planned schedule, but it’s extremely helpful to remind yourself of any upcoming exams or due dates for the week. This will help you stay on top of things so that you’re not blindsided with assignments you’ve forgotten about until the last second, because we’ve all been there. 2. Eat well-balanced meals Don’t get bogged down by calorie counting or limiting yourself to a restricting diet. Instead, eat food that’s going to make you feel good. Maintaining a balanced diet consists of giving your body the nutrients that it needs to function at its highest potential. This can be achieved by limiting foods with artificial preservatives and making sure that you’re consuming plenty of proteins such as beans, fish, eggs or meat. It’s also important to consume plenty of fruits and vegetables every day. Part of eating a balanced diet is being realistic, too. We all have cravings, and satisfying those cravings every so often is perfectly okay. Keep in mind that depriving yourself can be just as detrimental to your health as overconsuming, so try to find your personal balance and stick to it. If you’re unsure about where to begin when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, Pitt offers many resources that can help you learn what it means to properly fuel your body. 3. Don’t procrastinate Once you start procrastinating, it’s nearly impossible to stop, so your best shot is to avoid avoiding things in the first place. Buy a planner and organize
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your due dates and deadlines. Be sure to write down any important upcoming dates and make a habit of referring back to these throughout the week. I find it helpful to make little boxes that you can check off as you go, so it’s almost like you’re rewarding yourself every time you can check an assignment off the list. Avoiding procrastination is also much easier when you’ve minimized any surrounding distractions. I find it helpful to do my work in a public place. When I work at home, I often find myself picking up petty tasks like folding my laundry or cleaning my room to avoid doing my real work. Whether it be the library or a coffee shop, working in a public facility helps to focus because there are fewer personal tasks calling for your attention in that space. 4. Take study breaks If you find yourself cramming for an exam the day before and are short on preparation time, it’s going to be really important to get the most out of the little remaining study time you have. With that being said, the most effective way to study is in reasonable increments. After studying for about 45 to 60 minutes, be sure to take a couple minutes to clear your head. This could mean going for a leisurely 10-minute stroll around campus or, if the temperature outside is negative degrees, taking a nice long look out the window. Studying in hourly increments with 10-minute breaks in between is proven to rejuvenate concentration, refresh your mind and increase your productivity. 5. Get a good night’s sleep Let me start off by saying, if you’ve procrastinated to the point where you’ve deemed it necessary to pull an all-nighter … just go to sleep. Your sleep schedule is going to drastically impact your productivity and performance, playing a vital role in both your mental and physical health. Sleep even helps your brain function properly, so if you’re aiming for success your sleep should not be sacrificed. Instead, make it a priority to get a good night’s sleep, even if that means missing out on certain social outings. Trust me, your brain will thank you the next morning.
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Mensch, pg. 40 4. Intro to Feminist Theory: CGS and DSAS Philosophical Thinking or Ethics, Diversity requirements, SSOE Humanities requirement, SCI Diversity, Ethical/Policy requirements Pitt has the number one philosophy program in the world, so it makes sense that these classes are notorious for being difficult and confusing. But when the subject matter is something you’re interested or passionate about, it makes the class easier to grasp and much more interesting.The gender, sexuality and women’s studies department offers a class on the feminist theory. The course questions the fundamental nature of feminist activism and the power of relations. In doing this, the class teaches students to think critically about what these arguments contribute to the world around them and how the world works with feminist theory. It’s a culturally relevant topic that gives stu-
dents a chance to look inside themselves and squarely at the world around them. That’s not something you have the opportunity to do in class every day. 5. Childhood’s Books: CGS and DSAS Historical Analysis/Literature requirement, SSOE Humanities requirement, SCI Social/Behavioral, Humanistic requirements, SN Art, Music, Creative Expression or Literature If Jane Austen, Shakespeare and Hemingway aren’t your thing, fear not. The English department offers a literature class that studies beloved children’s books — from the past, all the way to right now. Instead of the classics, you can reread books like “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” While there are supplemental readings that study the works in detail, most of the reading and writing is on the books themselves and how they fit different, but common themes amongst works of child literature. Bet you never thought you’d be taking a reading quiz on “Peter Pan.”
The English department’s Childhood’s Books class covers books such as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and fulfils the literature general education requirement. image via wikimedia commons
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Connor, pg. 41 egie Museums — which he could get into for free with his student ID. Culture was never this close to home in suburbia, but Pitt was surrounded by it. I ultimately decided to give Pitt a chance. At first, my main drive behind considering Pitt was that I didn’t want to leave the music scenes and cultural perks I had discovered in the City. But I’ve also found plenty of academic opportunities to take advantage of since then — when I’m not spending time at at concerts, visiting museums or hanging out at Schenley Park. I never would have decided to stay close to home and go to Pitt if I hadn’t taken the chance to explore the city’s thriving cultural scene. Pittsburgh culture gives students an opportunity to appreciate the arts and has options for free or cheap entertainment beyond the party culture of most U.S. universities. This is a quirk of Pitt that sits close to my heart. Pitt students have the great opportunity to get a taste of the City’s flourishing music scene, courtesy of the student
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musicians and bands that play at house shows and at small venues weekly. Museums like The Andy Warhol Museum or The Mattress Factory are a part of the Pitt Arts program that allows Pitt students for free with their student IDs. With the dozens of restaurants to explore in Oakland and outside of it, plays, concerts, dance recitals and other artistic performances, culture is abundant. For those who weren’t as lucky as me to live close by before coming to Pittsburgh or who haven’t been able to get off campus much before, take the time to explore the City. You’ll be surprised by how much it has to offer and how much it’ll improve your college experience. I can happily say after two years that my love affair with the music scene is still going strong — I’ve gotten to see Nevada Color play quite a few more times since that first concert. I also discovered that I wanted to write about the music and culture Pittsburgh has to offer, leading me to flourish as a writer and decide to pursue a career in journalism. Sometimes, staying close to home isn’t so bad.
Sarah Connor enjoys being a Pittsburgh native while posing on the North Shore in front of iconic Pittsburgh bridges. photo courtesy of chloe yoder
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Opener, pg. 44 bottom-dweller in the ACC Coastal since conference realignment in 2013, finishing fifth or worse every season except last. They don’t typically strike fear into the hearts of opposing teams. The hype around Virginia starts with the fact that head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s team began to turn things around in 2018, notching an 8-5 overall record despite a pedestrian 4-4 conference record. The Cavaliers really flashed their full potential in the season finale, dominating South Carolina 28-0 in the Belk Bowl. Virginia succeeded with its mix of elite defense, which ranked 21st in the country in yards allowed per game, and offense led by quarterback Bryce Perkins, who passed for 2,680 yards and ran for 1,189 more. Now a senior, the dual-threat Perkins will look to build off 2018 with another monster year in 2019. The Cavaliers also bring back several members of last year’s stingy defense, including one of college football’s best defensive backs in senior Bryce Hall.
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The definition of a lockdown cornerback, Hall led the nation with 22 pass breakups, earning him first team AllACC honors. Despite all this, I don’t see Virginia being the world-beaters that many outlets have them pegged to be this season. It seems like part of the reason they’re expected to do so well has to do with factors outside their control, namely the fact that their ascension fits comfortably within the narrative of the Coastal being one of the most balanced divisions in college football. The Coastal has crowned a different champion each year since 2013’s realignment, and Virginia is the only program yet to take the crown. This made it a trendy choice of champion for those who believe the pattern will continue. Here’s a pattern I think will continue — Pitt beating Virginia. The Panthers have had Virginia’s number since joining the conference in 2013, dominating the matchup with a 5-1 overall record. That includes last year, when Pitt stifled the red-hot Cavaliers for a season-low 13 points on their own
turf. The key in that game was limiting Perkins on the ground, as Pitt’s defense held him to a season-low -7 rushing yards. Pitt will once again need to limit Perkin’s legs if it wants to win, although that stands to be a taller task now that standout junior defensive end Rashad Weaver will miss the entire 2019 season after tearing an ACL during training camp. Returning members of the defensive interior like senior Amir Watts and redshirt junior Patrick Jones II must contain Perkins in the pocket or else it could be a long day for the Panthers. It’s always especially difficult to predict season openers, as each team is basically putting forth a brand new roster on which there’s no existing scouting report. We still don’t know exactly what new Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple’s scheme will look like or who will get the most touches out of Pitt’s backfield in the wake of Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall’s departure. Some of this turnover, however, should actually work in the Panthers’
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favor. Virginia may as well throw out the tape of last year’s game — there’s nothing it can learn from watching ex-coordinator Shawn Watson’s run-dominant playcalling. Mendenhall is about as much in the dark as any fan off the street about what to expect from Pitt’s new offense under Whipple. Meanwhile, the Panthers can glean more from last year’s footage, knowing that Perkins and the offense will be operating in the same general system under incumbent offensive coordinator Robert Anae. PREDICTION: Fans can expect a low-scoring, sloppy game early on. Both teams’ strengths lie on the defensive side of the ball, and it may take a little while before the offenses can find a groove. Both teams also possess elite secondaries, making yards through the air hard to come by. A breakaway run, pick six or return touchdown could be the ultimate difference in what should be a gritty, down-to-the-wire affair. Sticking to my prediction from June, I’ll take the Panthers to come out on top. Pitt: 24, Virginia: 21
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McGinness, pg. 46 be as simple as setting a few alarms or weekly reminders. The City provides guidelines on what garbage counts as general refuse, recycling and yard debris, and a website to determine collection day by street address and zip code. Students can make the best use of these resources to plan any parties or social gatherings that might generate a lot of trash with when collection day is just around the corner. This can help avoid trash buildup either in the home or spilling out on the curb. Yard work can be a little trickier as many students either live in apartment buildings that may not have any green spaces to take care of or any yard work is covered by the landlord services. But if landscaping is not covered in the leasing forms and the state of the yard has become a bit dismal, it can’t hurt to pull a few weeds. Maybe hold off on taking a buzzsaw to the bushes, but weeds are relatively harmless and only requires a pair of sturdy gloves as equipment. This goes the same for dealing with snowy sidewalks in the winter months. Most landlords will take care of shoveling snow and salting away ice, but if snow falls overnight or early morning, it may take them a couple of hours to address the problem. If someone in the building has a shovel and the time, the hard work and kindness would probably be appreciated by everyone who walks down the street. It is inevitable, however, that garbage or untamed wildlife will inhabit public spaces. It may be no one’s fault in particular in how it got there but is now a part of everyone’s responsibility to clean it up. Pitt has quite a few volunteer events dedicated to this responsibility like Pitt Make a Difference Day in the fall and Be a Good Neighbor Day in the spring, both of which send thousands of students to every corner of Pittsburgh to help out neighborhoods and teach the theme of community engagement.
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Programs like these are great stepping stones to becoming more involved with neighborhood communities as they make the challenge fun and easy. To join in and help out with such events, students need only to sign up, often with a team, by the deadline and then show up for work. The PittServes office organizes the volunteer events by identifying problems, arranging local guides, dividing up task forces and providing transportation to and from the site. If students are interested in longterm community volunteering, there are neighborhood councils and committees that work on beautification, quality of life complaints and daily social events to keep Pittsburgh safe, healthy and vibrant. Oakwatch is one of the more prominent committees in Oakland that is focused on hosting a dialogue between the residents, property owners and institutions that reside in the neighborhood. It is always looking for volunteers to help with its many projects such as Adopt-a-Block, the Oakland Tree and Garden team and snow removal. Signups start on its website, and volunteers can specify which projects they are interested in getting involved. Volunteers can also suggest new ways they would like to help if none of the existing projects target their concerns. But students do not have to volunteer with Oakwatch to have a voice in the conversation and management of the Oakland neighborhood. Oakwatch meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month, but the time and location of meetings vary month to month. To stay updated about the next meeting or any changes that may occur, there is a monthly calendar or an email list people can sign up for. University life is an experience that asks for a tremendous amount of selfreflection, but wherever we live, we will be a part of a greater community. Our communities will be what we make of them, so there is no time like the present to start getting in some practice — especially when there are so many opportunities waiting to help you get started.
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Kreutzer, pg. 48 by Chick-fil-A for too long. It’s health food for the fit and foodies alike. 6. CHiKN When CHiKN opened in February, it rocked my world. The “damn hot” chicken is, well, damn hot. It hurts. It burns. But it burns so good. After trying its hottest sauce for the first time, I lost my ability to taste anything for the remainder of the week. It was worth it. While the intensity of its hottest options is far beyond what any person should be able or want to consume, the mild sandwiches and chicken and waffles are two awesome options for lunch out on the town. 5. Piada Close your eyes (then reopen them to continue reading this). Take a moment to imagine a paradise — the convenience, price and customization ability of Chipotle sweetly married with the flavors, sauces and cheese mounds of Italy. That is what Piada is like. Download the app, order online and indulge in pastas, wraps, salads and beautiful fried sticks of cheese almost instantly. I am so committed to this place that I walked there in the middle of the polar vortex last winter. Long live the Queen. 4. Stack’d Fried ravioli. Fried pickles. Fried mac ‘n’ cheese. Fried pierogi. It’s all fried, it’s all delicious and it’s all available on top of a juicy burger. It even has a new rooftop bar and a weekly special menu that lets you try its most popular delicacies on a budget. Stack’d has taken my heart and my cholesterol by storm. 3. The Columbian Spot If you’re willing to venture out of the comforts of Oakland, the Columbian Spot in South Side will make your journey worthwhile. It offers delicious, authentic Columbian food, much of which is also gluten-free or vegan. When the standard Panera bread bowls or Chipotle burritos aren’t cutting it, make the long, hard trek (also known as a free 20-minute bus ride) from Oakland to East Carson Street for some Columbian favorites. 2. Asia Tea House My runner-up is a wild card, the dark horse of Oakland, the unsung
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Stack’d restaurant on Forbes Avenue. Thomas Yang | visual editor hero of the neighborhood: Asia Tea House. Grab some pork dumplings (10 for under $5!), a $3 sushi roll and a bubble tea and camp out in Schenley Park on a warm day. Sushi Fuku is but a drop of sand in comparison with the behemoth of delicious offerings of
Asia Tea House. Sure, legend has it this stand is a bit of a digestive gamble, but sometimes the greatest risks reap the most divine payoffs. 1. Fuel and Fuddle This beautiful gastropub is the universal crowd-pleaser of Oakland. It has 100 different beers, all kinds of foods
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named with beautiful puns (i.e. the “Aporkalypse”) and a cheap eats menu that offers discounts from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. every day. Nothing bad exists here. I would even eat a salad from Fuel (mostly because one of them has fries on it). Fuel has my heart and is my first stop on my return to Oakland.
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Dantinne, pg. 48 Oh, how wonderful the approaching semester will be! But before we trade our flip flops and heat waves — which remind us not to flirt with the impending doom that climate change will bring us if we continue to live beyond our deeply capitalist means — for textbooks and fun tchotchkes in Cathy’s nationality rooms, let’s share and reminisce on all the summer fun we had. There was never a moment’s rest for Grace McGinness. When she wasn’t writing about the dearly departed PittStart or weighing in on double majors, she worked as an assistant at Pitt’s LIFE lab, performing quality control on MRI scans. And when she wasn’t doing either of those important jobs, she was doing a more important job — playing frisbee in Schenley Park. Or at least, trying to throw a frisbee in Schenley Park. Either way, she was improving her frisbee skills, which, as we all
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know, is crucial in today’s economy. We’re so proud of Grace for expressing her talents and working on self improvement! Our good ole Julia Kreutzer also had a busy summer, filled with important discussions on the meaning behind Pride celebrations, how to manage mental health and gender in politics. In between churning out article after article, she found time to pose with a football for a Facebook profile shot for some reason. It is possible that the football conveys a message related to sports, or possibly, a more meta message about the meaning of sports? Or, if we go even deeper, a message about mysterious profile pictures? Nonetheless, it’s a lovely photo and everyone should check it out. Then there’s Josh Beylinson, Pitt News’ number one source for all things related to Venezuela and TikTok. He hasn’t put out an opinion on TikTok in a while, but I’m sure that when he finds out what the kids are into now, he’ll let the rest of us luddites know. In the meantime, he’s
looking forward to his trip to Moonrise Festival, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier music festival, because nothing screams premier music festival like standing in a field in Baltimore, feeling your heart fall out of your butt every time the bass drops, watching acts that all have names that sound like rejected first generation iPhone slogans. But, hey, we’re glad he’s back to having fun after the accident. And by “the accident,” I mean telling me about how he participated in Game of Thrones themed roleplay online, which I’m now telling everyone else. Big mistake, Josh. Huge. I would be remiss if I didn’t give details of my summer as well, before blowing summer a huge raspberry as it stares at me in my rear view mirror with its cold, dead eyes. Between my corporate office work and testing the limits of SPF 50 sunblock on my sweaty yet dry lizard-skin, I found time to compare zodiac signs to residence halls, trash-talk watermelon and generally get a little weird with some horoscopes. When I wasn’t writing articles for the public (i.e.
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you all), I picked up an old hobby — cross stitch. This was a means to feel productive while chipping away at a massive list of TV shows my friends made me promise I’d watch instead of rewatching the four TV shows I enjoy over and over, because apparently “trying new things is good for you.” Whatever. Right now I’m a couple episodes into “Pose” and I have a fabulous stitched floral border to show for it. Hopefully I’ll finish my craft before directing my attention back to consulting the stars for next month’s horoscope. Well, that’s all from the opinions crew, but fear not, gentle reader, there will be more from us in the coming year. Or years. Or eternity. No matter how long we’ll be in the office, firing out articles and sharing our views with the greater student body and grown adults who lurk on Facebook, we’ll always enjoy our newspaper, each other and our readers. We wouldn’t want it any other way. Hail To Pitt, The Opinions Desk
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Sports PITT VOLLEYBALL HAS NO PLANS TO SLOW DOWN Emily Wolfe Sports Editor
First-year Ashley Browske was attracted to Pitt for many reasons, but it didn’t hurt that the women’s volleyball team is probably the most talented in the ACC. Pitt’s best sports team is heading into the fall with two back-to-back conference championships under its belt and three NCAA tournament appearances in a row. This year, the team’s coaches and players are determined the team will advance further than ever before. Browske, who plays libero/defensive specialist, joins the volleyball team as See Volleyball on page 72
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The 2019 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship will be hosted in Pittsburgh at the PPG Paints Arena. Thomas Yang | visual editor
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PITT FOOTBALL FACES UPHILL BATTLE TO DEFEND COASTAL TITLE
Trent Leonard
Senior Staff Writer Last season, Pitt football (7-7, 6-2) emerged out of nowhere to win its first ACC Coastal title since joining the conference in 2013. The Panthers entered the season projected to finish fifth out of seven teams in the division but managed to outperform expectations thanks to stingy situational defense, an elite backfield and an offensive line that often dominated opponents at the line of scrimmage. This season, pundits are overlooking the Panthers once again. In the ACC preseason poll released July 22, 173 media members predicted that three teams — Virginia, Miami and Virginia Tech — will finish ahead of Pitt this season. But despite the potential motivation, head coach Pat Narduzzi maintained that his team doesn’t worry about things that it can’t control. “I’m not worried about what the preseason ranks look like,” he said after Pitt’s opening day of camp on Aug. 2. “I’m worried about what the postseason ranks look like.” It’s fair to see why Pitt is expected to backtrack — the Panthers are losing the backfield production of Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall, who combined for 2,422 yards and 21 touchdowns last season but are now on NFL rosters. They’ll miss the bruising blocks of fullPitt’s backfield will likely be led by junior halfback AJ Davis (21). Thomas back George Aston, also now in the NFL, Yang | visual editor along with nearly all of last year’s start-
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ing offensive line. The Panthers were also dealt a crushing blow on Thursday, Aug. 8. While performing a drill in training camp, junior defensive end Rashad Weaver went down with a knee injury later revealed to be a torn ACL. He’ll miss the entire upcoming season as a result. The injury is especially devastating considering Weaver was arguably the Panthers’ best player entering this season. He led the team with 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 2018, establishing himself as one of the top edge defenders in the conference. Weaver also won 17.5% of his pass-rush snaps last season — top among returning ACC defensive ends. He was named preseason All-ACC by several publications. It’s tough to predict just how much Weaver’s absence will affect Pitt’s defense, but it undoubtedly hurts anytime a team loses their most dominant player. Weaver’s teammates were adamant that he will not have suffered the injury in vain, saying they will dedicate the upcoming season to their friend who will now have to watch from the sidelines. “That’s our brother. You never want to see one of your boys go down,” redshirt sophomore defensive end Deslin Alexander said. “But we know we’re going to keep fighting for him … we’ll play for him every time.” See Football on page 73
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MEET THE PEOPLE MAKING PITTSBURGH SKATEBOARDING MORE INCLUSIVE Zainab Hakeem For The Pitt News
Amy Gedman first became interested in skateboarding at the age of 12, when she started watching the show “Rocket Power,” an animated show on Nickelodeon centered on four kids engaging in extreme sports. All of the main characters were boys except one — rollerblader Reggie Rocket. Gedman loved Rocket and began rollerblading to be more like her favorite character. This later led her to pick up skateboarding, which she soon came to enjoy more. She said the activity also taught her self-discipline and patience, keeping her from getting involved in bad habits like other people she knew. “I really feel like skateboarding kinda saved my life,” said Gedman. There was only one downside — she didn’t know a lot of female skaters. Gedman wasn’t alone in feeling isolated — about three quarters of skateboarders are male. But the activity has attracted more women and non-binary individuals over the years, meaning more skateboarders are looking to make the culture more inclusive — including in Pittsburgh. Gedman is one such Pittsburgh skateboarder. As she grew older, she realized that the world of skating desperately needed representation for people who weren’t cis white men. She wanted the local skateboarding scene today to be different for girls and people of color with an interest in skating. Her organization, 3 Rivers Reform, grew out of “Womxn and Grrrls” skating events Gedman started hosting, where female, non-binary and trans skaters could find a safe space to socialize and skate together. It’s mission statement is “Empowering Womxn, Queer/Trans/NonBinary humans through Skateboarding.” In addition to a social media presence where the organization sells stickers, T-shirts and other merchandise, 3 Rivers Reform hosts events where all skaters can come together
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and celebrate skating. The organization’s first event, “June Bloom Skate Jam,” took place earlier this summer at Overcast Skateboard Shop in Bloomfield, with the help of store owner Dustyn Giles. “I definitely wanted to help her get it off the ground and host an event,” Giles said. Gedman called the event a “micro-mini ramp jam,” which also included live music, an artist showcase and skate basket raffles. She has experience in planning these sorts of events — her main project before starting 3 Rivers Reform was creating the monthly “Womxn and Grrrls Skate Night” at Switch and Signal Skatepark with Kerry Weber. At the four hour-long events, skaters who are usually outnumbered due to their gender or sex during the park’s normal hours are welcome to hang out, skate and help others with tricks. Weber wants everyone to feel welcome in the world of skating — he founded Switch and Signal Skatepark after realizing that there weren’t any indoor parks that were close to transportation and safe for kids. Weber learned how to skateboard as a child alongside many of the girls in his neighborhood, but noticed his female friends would eventually stop skating as they grew older. Weber thinks it’s due to male skaters treating female skaters differently, making them question their place in the community and pressuring them to give up the sport. “Some [white, cis men skaters] like to say ‘I only see skaters [instead of ‘female’ skaters]” and I don’t think that’s true,” Weber said. Weber became motivated to create a space for the people who are sometimes excluded from skateboarding culture after he learned about Skate Like a Girl, a Portland and San Francisco-based organization aimed at empowering skaters who didn’t fit skating stereotypes, leading to the creation of “Womxn and Grrls Skate Night” with Gedman’s help. “It’s really important to have your first experience [with skating] to not be that one of questioning your abilities or your validness and access to the park,” Weber said.
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HALL OF FAMER CURTIS MARTIN TO GIVE KEYNOTE AT ANNUAL LUNCHEON Brian Gentry
Senior Staff Writer Curtis Martin may not have kicked the ball as a running back for the Pitt Panthers. But he’ll kick off this year’s football season, serving as the keynote speaker at the 2019 annual Pitt Kickoff Luncheon. The luncheon, which marks the beginning of the football season and raises money for the athletics program, will take place at The Westin Pittsburgh hotel in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District on Friday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At last year’s address, that year’s football team captains were announced and Narduzzi outlined his hopes for the season. All three of last year’s captains graduated in the spring, including Dennis Briggs, who served as captain for two years in a row. Louis Riddick, a former Pitt letterman and NFLer and now an ESPN sports commentator, was the keynote speaker. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt’s football coach, said in a press release he is excited to host Martin at the luncheon. “He is an absolutely legendary running back, but the most impressive thing about Curtis is how he has impacted the world beyond football,” Narduzzi said. “I can’t wait for our team to meet him and hear his message.” Martin is a Pittsburgh native and attended Taylor Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill, where his talent as a running back was noticed by Pitt’s then-football coach Paul Hackett. He joined Pitt’s football team from 1991 through 1994, and during his tenure, he rushed for a total of 2,643 yards, despite being plagued by numerous injuries throughout his career. He became a first-team All-Big East running back in 1993 after rushing for 1,075 yards
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Former Pitt running back and Hall of Famer Curtis Martin will serve as the keynote speaker at the 2019 annual Pitt Kickoff Luncheon. david l. pokress/newsday/tns played in the Pro Bowl five times and was named Horizon Award from the Congressional Award during that season. Foundation in 2018 as well as an honorary Doctor New England drafted him in the third round of an All-Pro twice during his NFL career. While still in the NFL, Martin founded the of Humane Letters from the Icahn School of Medithe 1995 draft. After three years with the Patriots, Curtis Martin Job Foundation, an organization that cine at Mount Sinai in New York. Martin joined the New York Jets, where he stayed seeks to provide financial assistance and hands-on Tickets can be purchased online. Individual enuntil his 2006 retirement. At the time of his retiresupport to families in need as well as people with try is $55, while tables of 10 can be purchased for ment, he ranked fourth of all running backs in disabilities and housing providers for people with $600. Tables of nine with a coach can be purchased the history of the NFL, amassing 14,101 yards. He low income. His organization was awarded the for $900.
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The Pitt News Editor-in-Chief JANINE FAUST editor@pittnews.com
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CHICK-FIL-A MOVING TO UPPER CAMPUS, OTHER DINING CHANGES START THIS FALL Jon Moss
News Editor What did the chicken say when it crossed Fifth Avenue, and looked up DeSoto Street? “Now I see why they call it Cardiac Hill.” Pitt Dining’s Chick-fil-A location has left the Cathedral Cafe, located in the basement of the Cathedral of Learning, and will reopen in the food court at the Petersen Events Center in January 2020. Pitt spokesperson Kevin Zwick said Chick-fil-A is taking over the storefronts previously occupied by Pizza Hut and Burger King, and will serve a full-service menu with milkshakes and breakfast options. Roc & Roll’d Sushi Bar, a sushi restaurant, will also
be added to the food court. A new restaurant, Tres Habaneros, will open on Aug. 26 in the former Chick-fil-A storefront in the Cathedral Cafe, Zwick said. It will serve customizable burritos, tacos, salads and more. Other dining changes are taking place across campus. Market Central has two new food stations — Simple Servings, which features allergen-free food, and Mindful, which has “delicious and healthy offerings.” A popup restaurant named Additions is opening in Schenley Café, the food court located in the basement of the William Pitt Union, and will feature a rotating menu of “flavorful food from around the globe.”
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Editorial Policies Single copies of The Pitt News are free and available at newsstands around campus. Additional copies can be purchased with permission of the editor-in-chief for $.50 each. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the students, faculty or University administration. Opinions expressed in columns, cartoons and letters are not necessarily those of The Pitt News. Any letter intended for publication must be addressed to the editor, be no more than 250 words and include the writer’s name, phone number and University affiliation, if any. Letters may be sent via e-mail to editor@pittnews. com. The Pitt News reserves the right to edit any and all letters. In the event of multiple replies to an issue, The Pitt News may print one letter that represents the majority of responses. Unsigned editorials are a majority opinion of the Editorial Board, listed to the left. The Pitt News is an independent, student-written and
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Pitt Dining’s Chick-fil-A location will reopen in the food court at the Petersen Events Center in January 2020. TPN File Photo
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RECRUITING ROUNDUP: PITT EDGES CLOSER TO STAR RECRUITS
Tyler Moran Staff Writer
The college football season is just around the corner, but men’s basketball recruiting news takes center stage for the Pittsburgh Panthers in our final recruiting roundup of the summer. Here, we talk about basketball and football recruits that have decided to commit to Pitt. The basketball team also added a walk-on for next season. Although commitments have been minimal since the influx of football recruits to Pittsburgh in June, many players have the Panthers listed among their top schools. Men’s basketball Pitt added the first member to its 2020 basketball roster by landing Delaware transfer Ithiel Horton. The Panthers edged out the Arkansas Razorbacks in the race for the explosive, 6-foot-3 fresh-
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man shooting guard. Horton scored 13.2 PPG and shot just shy of 41% from behind the arc in his freshman campaign. His ability to shoot from deep is a major positive for the team, as it has struggled from long range in years past. The only downside to this acquisition is that Horton will have to sit out for the 2019-20 season, in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. Once the off year is up, he will have three years of eligibility with the team. When the 2020-21 season rolls around, Pitt will have another dynamic guard to play behind Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens. Horton will look to propel the team to the postseason in the years that come. Pitt was able to make a final addition to the class of 2019 by bringing in walk-on point guard KJ Marshall. The Coach Narduzzi landed his first commit for the football class of 2021 with See Roundup on page 74 three-star outside linebacker Nahki Johnson. Thomas Yang | visual editor
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Volleyball, pg. 62 #4 this season. The upward trajectory of Pitt’s program and the feeling of competition convinced her the team was the right place to build her skills. “When I came here on camp, I fell in love with the coaching staff and the way they preach about volleyball,” Browske said. “I’m excited to be part of this team that’s improving and playing at such a high level, and getting to compete to get playing time.” Dan Fisher, who’s served as the team’s head coach since 2013, said that while the team is careful not to get ahead of itself, everyone on the team knows the goal for the season — to last as long as they can in the NCAA tournament and maybe even make it all the way to the end. Last year, the team won just one game against Iona before being knocked out by Michigan in the second round of the tournament. “I don’t want anyone on our team scared to say, ‘We want to be there,’” Fisher said. “I’m not shy about it. We want to be one of the last four teams.” To help them get there, Fisher has assembled what he says is the most grueling training schedule the players have seen during his tenure. Six playing freshmen, including Blowske, will join the veteran players on the team for the season. “We’ve put together a schedule that’s probably the toughest we’ve ever had,” Fisher said. “When we get in the tournament, there won’t be any team that we’re not prepared to play, because we’ll have played such a good schedule.” Outside hitter Kayla Lund, a junior, said she wants the team to bring their best to their ACC games again this year — “another championship title would be awesome” — but, like Fisher, she’s hoping the team will be able to win higher honors in the NCAA tournament. “We are definitely looking to go farther than we ever have in the tournament,” Lund said. “Pittsburgh is hosting the Final Four this year, so to be able to play in the Final Four in Pittsburgh, that’s definitely a goal for us.” PPG Paints Arena will host the
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semifinals and championship of this year’s NCAA tournament in late December, and Lund said making it far enough to play in the Final Four would be especially meaningful when the games will be played so close to home. There’s another win that would feel especially momentous, if the team can pull it off — Pitt’s Sept. 22 home game against Penn State at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt and Penn State will play a pair of rivalry home-away games this fall, with the first match up taking place at University Park on Sept. 20. Fisher predicted the home game against Penn State would break attendance records. “I think we’ll break our attendance record, and I’d be surprised if we didn’t. It’s a school rival, and Penn State has been, for the last 10-20 years, if not the best team in the country, at least in the top 10,” Fisher said. “We understand what beating them would mean for the community.” In the meantime, Fisher said, the team will focus on getting better day by day. They’ll also work on bringing more people, especially students, into the seats for the games. Students make up a minority of the crowds at volleyball games, and Fisher said his biggest goal for the year is to draw in more. “Hopefully, our momentum from last year will catch on,” Fisher said. “Every year is a new year on the University campus. We want to snag some freshmen right away and make them fans for the next few years.” Although she hasn’t yet been on the court for a college volleyball game, Browske understands the power of a good crowd — she’s been a part of one herself at a Pitt game and said she loved the atmosphere. “I got to go to the game versus Duke last year where the attendance was record-breaking, and being in that environment was so cool just to watch the game,” Browske said. “Being a part of the team now, and having that kind of support, is super special to us. I’m looking forward to experiencing that.” Elizabeth Martin contributed reporting to this story.
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Football, pg. 64 As for who Pitt gained rather than lost, the Panthers brought in someone who can provide an instant upgrade to the offense, though it isn’t a running back or lineman. New offensive coordinator Mark Whipple will look to instill a new offensive identity to a unit whose philosophy under ex-coordinator Shawn Watson often seemed to be, “Hand the ball to a running back and hope he takes it 70 yards for a touchdown.” That’s probably a little unfair to Watson, but the truth is that he failed to develop quarterback Kenny Pickett and the passing game last season. The Panthers ranked 123rd out of 130 Division I FBS teams in passing, averaging a dreadful 139.7 yards per game. Pitt’s Achilles heel was on full display in an embarrassing ACC Championship loss to Clemson in which Pickett threw for just eight yards. Enter Whipple, brought onto the staff by Narduzzi shortly after Pitt’s season ended last January. The 61-yearold Whipple brings almost 40 years of coaching experience to the table, including multiple stints as a college head coach and NFL quarterbacks coach, both for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. “Coach Whipple is a mastermind,” Maurice Ffrench said at ACC Media Day. “Every time I’m with him, I try to pick his brain … With us, he goes through everything, makes sure that we know the details of a route, why we’re running this route, making sure we do it to full speed, full detail.” Now a full year older and with a more passer-friendly coordinator calling the shots, Pickett has nowhere to go but up (knock on wood) from a 2018 sophomore campaign in which he completed just 58% of his passes for 1,969 yards. He’ll have a bevy of options at his disposal including last year’s leader in receiving yards, redshirt junior Taysir Mack, and touchdowns, senior speedster Ffrench. The pressure is on Pickett to prove last year’s poor production is behind him, but no position group faces greater pressure than Pitt’s backfield, which will be tasked with filling the shoes of Ollison and Hall. Despite that duo’s departure, Narduzzi insists that Pitt’s identity
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will still be tied up in the run game. “I like how we’re combining some of the Whipple stuff and what we’ve done here in the past,” Narduzzi said. “Obviously, we’re going to run the football and we’re going to continue to find ways to run the football.” The Panthers will likely employ a true committee backfield led by junior AJ Davis, who carried the ball 48 times for 174 yards and one touchdown in his previous two seasons. Redshirt sophomore Todd Sibley Jr. Redshirt and first-year Mychale Salahuddin will help carry the load, while sophomore wideout V’Lique Carter, who burst onto the scene last season with 25 carries for 202 yards and two touchdowns despite being recruited as a defensive back, figures to have his speed utilized via the jet sweep. Pitt’s real strength lies on the defensive side of the ball, where the team held five of its last six opponents in 2018 to 24 points or less. Weaver’s loss will sting, but the Panthers still bring back the majority of their defensive backs and linemen from that unit, making them a sneaky bet to be among the best defenses in the ACC. On the defensive line, Alexander and redshirt junior Patrick Jones II will need to step up in a big way to account for Weaver’s production. Senior safety Damar Hamlin is set to be Pitt’s leader on defense after leading the Panthers with 90 total tackles and two interceptions last season. He’ll be joined in the secondary by redshirt senior cornerback Dane Jackson, who led the team with 14 pass breakups and four forced fumbles in 2018. Other returning members of the defensive backfield include junior cornerbacks Jason Pinnock and Damarri Mathis, along with redshirt senior Jazzee Stocker. Together this group should form one of the ACC’s top secondaries. It’s always tough to project how things will shake out in the parity-driven ACC Coastal, which has crowned a new champion each year since conference realignment in 2013. Top to bottom, it’s consistently one of the most competitive divisions in the country. Pitt may lack the personnel to repeat as Coastal champs — but with a formidable defense and an offense that might not regress as expected, the Panthers are once again poised to outperform expectations.
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Roundup, pg. 70 high school teammate of Panther guard Au’Diese Toney will be eligible to play for the team next season, but will have trouble finding minutes due to the team’s already loaded backcourt. Marshall may not be rated the highest by recruiting sites, but he won praise from a current NBA player — when Marshall committed to Pitt, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Quinn Cook told fans that Pitt had won not just a great player, but a great person. https://twitter.com/QCook323/status/1150443512929955841 That message fits perfectly with the culture that Capel is establishing with the program. He wants his players to be great on and off the court. Other possible recruits are still wavering. John Hugley is arguably the biggest target for the Panthers in the class of 2020. It’s reassuring that the four-star center recruit has Pitt listed in his top 12 schools, but the battle won’t be easy. Cincinnati, Florida, Florida State and West Virginia have all also made the list. Standing at 6-foot-9, Hugley is un-
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dersized for the center position, but is the ideal size for a power forward. Pitt desperately needs size down on the block, and Hugley would be the perfect solution. Posh Alexander is another highly coveted class of 2020 recruit for Pittsburgh. Alexander is a four-star guard that has Pitt listed in his top five schools, competing with Dayton, Illinois, Seton Hall and St. John’s. Although Alexander is more highly rated than Hugley, guard is not a priority for the Panthers. That’s not to say Pitt doesn’t want to land him, though — he’s a strong athlete and can run the floor with ease. Alexander and current guard McGowens would pair well together, as Alexander is a ball-dominant guard similar to Johnson. When Johnson needs a breather, Alexander can keep the offense rolling at high efficiency. Pennsylvania native Elijah Taylor is a three-star power forward recruit that has Pitt in his top six schools, along with Florida, Notre Dame, Providence, Seton Hall and VCU. Taylor, like Hugley, has something
the roster massively needs. In Taylor’s case, it’s a frontcourt presence that can get the team a big rebound when it needs one. His size and athleticism alone should earn him considerable playing time for years to come. Pittsburgh also made the cut in three-star small forward Myles Stute’s top seven schools list. Programs like Clemson, Florida and Texas A&M also appear on the list, and Stute plans to officially visit all of the mentioned schools and make his final decision in November. The Panthers were met with some disappointing news hearing that they didn’t make the cut of Marcus Bagley’s top three schools. The high profile four-star small forward recruit will choose instead between Arizona, Arizona State and California. It’s a tough pill to swallow to see that Bagley will not be committing to Pittsburgh, but it looks like Bagley wants to join the PAC-12. Football The Panthers landed the first commit of their football class of 2021 with threestar outside linebacker Nahki Johnson.
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Johnson is a hometown product from Homestead, right in Pitt’s backyard. Johnson chose Pitt over other instate programs Penn State and Robert Morris. He will bring speed off the edge and will pressure the quarterback when his number is called. It’s a good sign that the team is adding impact players at the linebacker position, but winning local recruits like Johnson is even more vital for the program. The Panthers have had problems in recent years with keeping local players in Pittsburgh. Hopefully, the recent commitments from locals like Johnson and Dayon Hayes will inspire other close proximity recruits to commit to Pitt. Meanwhile, Ohio’s Branson Taylor, a three-star offensive tackle recruit, has Pitt in his top two schools alongside rival West Virginia. Bringing in Taylor would help bolster the offensive line depth for Pittsburgh. The team will soon lose various linemen to graduation, so if Pitt gets Taylor to commit to the program, it’ll keep the offensive line from weakening in the future.
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STAFF SUMMER
WORK SPOTLIGHT Photos by Sarah Cutshall Visual Editor
For our 2019 Silhouettes edition, visuals editor Sarah Cutshall spent long hours last spring staring up at the Cathedral of Learning or waiting around the building’s top floors, hoping to catch a glimpse — and get a good shot — of some of Pitt’s protected peregrine falcons, which roost on the 40th floor of the Cathedral. This past
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summer, Sarah’s internship with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection gave her the opportunity to take pictures of another flock of falcons. For about a period of two weeks in June, she camped out with a members of DEP’s Environmental Education and Information Center and volunteers with the Harrisburg Falcon Watch and Rescue, documenting the fledging of several young birds from the roof of the The Rachel Carson State Office Building. Sarah described how when the birds first fledge, they would land in the streets or other places where they weren’t safe. She shot volunteers taking the young falcons back up to their nests, where they could try their wing at flying again. “This year, we worked with the game commission to get them Motus trackers that use radio telemetry so we can track where they go after they leave Harrisburg,” she wrote in a message. “3/4 of them got the trackers and they’re basically lil’ backpacks; it’s so cute.”
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