Punter, pg. 85 Pittsburgh in January to enroll early and get a head start on preparing for the season. One thing he didn’t prepare well enough for, though, was making his bed at Sutherland Hall. That’s when having a particularly well-off friend in the area came in handy. “The first night I got here, I didn’t have any sheets or bedding or anything, so I slept on just a plain mattress with a jacket. So then the next day I sent [Jordan Berry] a text, I was like, ‘Jordan, please take me to get some sheets. I’m freezing,’” Christodoulou said. “So we went to Walmart and Target and bought some pillows and stuff so at least I’m a bit more comfy.” Christodoulou has adjusted to life as a first-year student thanks to an assist from Berry, but he still says it’s a bit weird living in Sutherland. “I didn’t feel that old, but everyone thinks being 20 and a freshman is such a big deal,” Christodoulou said. “A lot of the other Prokick boys, like Wade Lees at Maryland and Dane Roy at Houston, they’re like 28-year-old freshmen. So I thought coming in at 20, I wouldn’t cop it too much, but everyone finds it still pretty bizarre. But that’s alright.” Once he got settled in as a college student with proper bedding, it was time for Christodoulou to find out how to prepare for his first season of college football. That’s where he benefited from having another friend to look up to — Pitt’s senior punter Ryan Winslow. “To be honest, I didn’t even know what was really going on at the start,” Christodoulou said. “I had to sort of ghost Winslow around all day, sort of follow him around because he’s been through it before, so it’s great to have him as someone to follow and learn from, because otherwise I would have been thrown into the deep end a little bit.” Winslow was happy to oblige and take Christodoulou under his wing, even though he knew he would have to compete with him for his starting spot. “He didn’t realize that [Pitt head coach Pat] Narduzzi stood next to us every time we punted, so he said his heart was beating pretty fast that first day ...” Winslow said. “It’s always good to have competition. I feel like it elevates both levels of our game.”
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After getting in 14 spring practices to shake off the nerves, Christodoulou put on a navy blue Panthers jersey and ran out the tunnel onto Heinz Field for the first time at Pitt’s Blue-Gold Game April 15. Competing for the Blue team while Winslow punted for the Gold, Christodoulou averaged 39 yards per punt on six attempts with a long of 49 yards. Winslow, meanwhile, kept his hold on the starting job by averaging 42 yards on five punts with a long of 50 yards. Still, Christodoulou showed that he’s not far behind the senior, who already has three full seasons of
punting experience with the Panthers.
Waiting his turn Barring an injury, Winslow will remain the team’s starting punter throughout his senior season, allowing Christodoulou to take a redshirt year and still have four years of eligibility remaining. After a full year with Powell and Narduzzi at Pitt, Christodoulou should be all souped up and ready to go for the 2018 season and beyond. “People assume that just because a kid’s
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a kicker or a punter, they should be able to do it early. There’s a lot more to it than just kick the ball,” Powell said. “So, we’d like to let him get the teaching, get the experience, get the training, but not have to perform his first year in the program.” For now, Christodoulou will continue to observe Winslow and find out what it takes to make it through a full college football season while trying to meet the requirements of transferring into the Swanson School of Engineering. And once he does make it onto the field, See Punter on page 93
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Akeo, pg. 84
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Stallings,
I didn’t like it at the time, but things that you don’t like are going to help you. He really pushed me and kind of created me as this leader that I am now. Also, Amanda was a really good role model my freshman year. I looked up to her a lot. She was an All-American and our team captain. She just had this vibe about her. First, she’s a great person and she also works really hard. In my freshman year, that’s someone who I embodied myself being on the court. If you’ve ever seen her on the court, she’s really intense.
punt returners beware — this punter is no stranger to contact. Behind his beaming smile and playful demeanor lies a player steeped in the tradition of non-stop, fullcontact “footy” — albeit against slightly smaller opponents. “I’m used to just hitting other small, punter-ish sized people, so hitting one of the big linemen is probably not going to be fun for my half,” Christodoulou said. “But we’ll see how that goes.”
coach. Pushing the reset button prematurely would only set the program back further, as another coach would have to come in and work with players not best suited to his system. So while making an improvement under Stallings sounds unrealistic now, it’s in the program’s best interest to keep him around and see if his recruits pan out. Athletic director Heather Lyke and the administration seem willing to give
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him this chance. Hopefully, they’ll have the courage to withstand the impending firestorm. “Any successful basketball program begins with a plan,” Stallings said in the May interview. “The ones that succeed are the ones that have a good plan and the conviction and confidence to execute the plan. That’s where we’re at, we’re just in the process of executing the plan that primarily I have created.”
TPN: Before last season, did you think the team could go as far as it did, making the tournament and winning in the first round? Why or why not? Akeo: I had no idea what to expect, but I kind of just have this idea in my mind that the sky’s the limit really. So I didn’t doubt us at all, but I had no exact idea that we were going to make it that far. I mean coming from Hawaii, I had no idea I was going to make it here. And then even after freshman year, I had no idea that I would be starting setter at 5-foot-6, setting a 5-1 [formation], and playing in the front row. Just being here the past two years, it has opened up my eyes to possibilities. When we ended up making it last year and winning in the first round, I wasn’t surprised at all — especially after all of the work we had put in throughout the entire year. TPN: What was it like to make the NCAA Tournament last season and what did you and the entire team learn from that experience? Akeo: Going through the tournament was really, really exciting. I learned from the tournament that I pretty much want to be back there ... I definitely want another shot at Penn State if we’re given the opportunity. But that’s a place that we want to be in, an environment we want to be in, and that’s really what our team is shooting for. After being in the tournament, we definitely know the work it takes and because our goals this year are even harder, we know it’s going to take a lot more… TPN: Even though you won ACC Setter of the Year last season, what did you try See Akeo on page 97
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Akeo, pg. 93 to work on this offseason? Do you think you can repeat? Akeo: My goal for the offseason was really to increase my vertical and get stronger. It was a great honor to win ACC Setter of the Year, but I’m not even close to where I want to be or where I know my coaches want me to be. And so if we do end up running a 5-1 like we did last year, I want to be able to put up a bigger block and put up really critical sets from long distances. So that’s pretty much what I’ve been working on in the offseason. And I mean the award is great, but I’d rather make it to the Sweet 16 than be Setter of the Year. That’s really where my heart’s at.
a really good arm and she’s just an allaround good player. They are going to work really hard to get into that starting lineup. If not, they are definitely going to increase the level in our gym. Alex, unfortunately, hasn’t been practicing with us yet coming off of her foot surgery, but she’ll be fighting for that middle spot... TPN: Overall, what does the team need to do this year to be successful and what are the expectations you’ve put on yourselves?
Akeo: This year I think it’s a lot about just getting used to each other, finding a good chemistry, and building on our team culture and having a good gel when we play. I don’t think that we lack any talent or physical ability or anything like that. I think it’s just really about learning to play with each other and learning to trust each other while we are playing. I think that will go a long way, especially in the ACC and when we hopefully make it to the tournament. And our goal for this season — our team goal — is to make it to the Sweet 16 and to host. So
that is what we are shooting for every day. TPN: How good do you think this team can be? Do you think you could win the ACC? How deep in the tournament could you go? Akeo: I think that this year is definitely our year, and if everything works out in the right ways, we can definitely win the ACC. I think for sure, especially with our schedule, we can make the Sweet 16. I think, honestly, that we can go a little bit further. The sky’s the limit and I think we have a really good opportunity this year.
TPN: What’s it like playing with middle and outside hitters like Layne van Buskirk and All-ACC honorees Stephanie Williams and Mariah Bell? What do you try to do as a setter to help them produce and why do you think you work so well with them? Akeo: It’s really cool playing with all of them. We all have the same mindset and I think Fish has gotten that into our heads since our freshman year, or even after this year for Layne. But we always want to get better. We’re always pushing to work harder and connect every time. We make it a point to connect after every set. Definitely me, Steph, and Mariah, after playing together for two years, now kind of know each other a lot more. I’ll know if Steph approaches too fast or she’ll definitely know if my speed of the ball is getting a lot slower. And it’s the same thing with Layne. We definitely got into more of a groove after last season but I expect better connections this year. TPN: This year, you’ll have three new players — Alex Rosignol, Kayla Lund, and Chinaza Ndee — joining the team and competing for playing time. How have they gelled with the team and what impact do you think they’ll make this year? Akeo: I think that the three of them can make a really big impact. We definitely have big expectations, especially for the freshman Kayla and Chi. Chi is really athletic and is probably the most physical player we have ever had on our team, so we expect a lot from her. And Kayla as well, she has really good ball control and
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I N D E X
Rentals & Sublet • NORTH OAKLAND • SOUTH OAKLAND • SHADYSIDE • SQUIRREL HILL • SOUTHSIDE • NORTHSIDE • BLOOMFIELD • ROOMMATES • OTHER
For Rent North Oakland August 2017. Furnished 5 bedroom house in North Oakland. Close walk to University of Pittsburgh, Shuttle. Utilities included. AC/washer/ dryer. Contact: rentalschool22@gmail. com, 412-953-8820.
South Oakland 1,2,3,4 BR. Apartments, prices range from $450-$750 per person. Some include utilities, some you have to pay. Call Jarrad 814-403-2798 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom. Free laundry on premises, separate utilities. Available now. 412-334-8804. 3,4,6 houses Available now. Lawn St. Ward St. and Juliet. Call 412-287-5712. 519 Zulema. 4BR, 2BA. Brand new remodel. $2,500/ mo. Short-term semester lease available. Inquire today. 412-680-6209 or visit amomgmt.com House for Rent. Beautiful 3-BR newly renovated-Allequippa Street. Close to Peterson Center & Pitt Dental School. Equipped kitchen,
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Employment • CHILDCARE • FOOD SERVICES • UNIVERSITY • INTERNSHIPS • RESEARCH • VOLUNTEERING • OTHER
new carpeting, washer/dryer, 2 bathrooms, full basement, fenced-in back yard, security system. Looking for 3 students to share/or single family. Discount on first month’s rent. Security deposit required. Students require adult co-sign. Available September 1st, $1600+ all utilities. No pets. For more information, please call 412-303-5043. Email: dtm1003@ comcast.net. M.J. Kelly Realty. Studio, 1Bedroom Apartments, N. & S. Oakland. $725-$850. mjkellyrealty@gmail. com. 412-271-5550. www.mjkellyrealty. com Oakland - 294 Craft Avenue - 1 bedroom, 1 bath, equipped kitchen, on bus line, close to hospitals and universities. $850.00 - Electric Included 412-462-1296 madroneproperty.com
Squirrel Hill 3 BR. house, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, basement, garage, and porch. All kitchen appliances, washer/dryer, and central air included. $1550 a month plus utilities. Available October 1st. Please call BEFORE 7PM anyday of the week 412-421-7548. Professors or medical residents only please.
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Rental Other 3 bedroom house 3 miles from campus. $1000. 412-225-8723. Lawrenceville 3834 Penn Avenue - 1 bedroom, 1 bath, equipped kitchen, on bus line, close to downtown & hospitals. $725.00 - $825.00 + Gas & Electric 412-462-1296 madroneproperty.com
Employment Research Studies CMU researchers are looking for adults to participate in paid behavioral research studies. Studies pay $10/ hour on average. Must be 18+ and speak English. Register at https://cbdr.tepper. cmu.edu/Participate. aspx Daily smokers needed for paid research study. Must be 18 to 45. Call 412-256-8722. asrl@ pitt.edu
Employment: Other NOW HIRING Looking for fun, part-time employment with flexible scheduling, working concerts, NFL/NCAA football and other major events in and around Pittsburgh? Contact Landmark Event Staffing @ 412-321-2707.
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Employment: Other Personal, professional masseuse needed. Long term position. 2X/week. Washington County location. Call 724-223-0939 or 724-229-8868 any time. Servers wanted for Church Brew Works. Great part-time job, apply in person. 3525 Liberty Ave.
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Two business days prior by 3pm | Email: advertising@pittnews.com | Phone: 412.648.7978
Services Health Cohen Trigger Point Center, a well established boutique chiropractic practice in North Oakland, within easy walking distance to University of Pittsburgh’s campus and on the bus line is seeking part time office support. The main responsibilities are to warmly welcome patients in the office and over the phone;
scheduling, and tracking patient intake forms with computer skills required. We offer a warm, friendly environment and $10 per hour for part time staff. Please contact Dr. Josh Cohen at 412.512.8349 or via email josh@ pain-freelifestyle.com
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WAITER/WAITRESS, DISHWASHER/COOK: 20hr/wk, great working environment. Cafe Sam, 5242 Baum Blvd. Apply Monday-Friday 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
For Sale For Sale: Other Instant cash paid for: baseball cards, sports cards. Game used sports items. Bats. Gloves. Jerseys. Goudey sports cards. Antiques. Gold. Silver. Coins. Diamonds. Watches. Paper money. Old toys. Trains. Comic books. Huge collections. Entire estates. We will pick up and pay CASH! Call Scott at (513) 295-5634.
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