Cardiac Hill: FanPosts

Video: Tyler Boyd's 5 TD Performance From 2013 Big 33 Game

2013-06-17T14:03:22Z

I know most of you saw it on tv, but to see it in person was pretty awesome. Pitt is getting a very good player and I'm sure they already know that much!

Pennsylvania ended up winning the game 57-28. Other players from Pitt's 2013 class played in the game was well. Linebacker Matt Galambos had a pretty good game as well. Good job by PA!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

I know most of you saw it on tv, but to see it in person was pretty awesome. Pitt is getting a very good player and I'm sure they already know that much!

Pennsylvania ended up winning the game 57-28. Other players from Pitt's 2013 class played in the game was well. Linebacker Matt Galambos had a pretty good game as well. Good job by PA!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

Pitt Athletics Department Financial Report

2013-05-31T04:08:04Z

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Hi Pitt fans,

Each year, USA Today releases the annual report of all D1 athletic departments. However, Pitt is never in these rankings. Does anyone know why? I can understand why a private school may not be forced to financially disclose information, but Pitt receives a large deal of money from the state. Every year this boggles me.

For instance, how much money in subsidies does the athletic department receive? If the athletic department receives student fee subsidies, wouldn't be our right to know this? Any answers here?

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Hi Pitt fans,

For instance, how much money in subsidies does the athletic department receive? If the athletic department receives student fee subsidies, wouldn't be our right to know this? Any answers here?

New deal on ACC media rights

2013-04-22T20:57:12Z

ESPN's Brett McMurphy is reporting that the ACC presidents (including FSU - but not Pitt or Syracuse since they don't become members until July 1) have approved a grant of media rights for the league through 2026-27. A grant of rights means that during the length of the agreement, a school's media rights, including revenue, from all home games belongs to the league regardless of what conference the school is in. The ACC becomes the fourth of the big 5 conferences to include a grant of rights agreement. Only the SEC of the major conferences does not have such an agreement in place.

The agreement runs through the length of the ACC's TV deal with ESPN which is estimated to be worth $17M per school per year. There are some unconfirmed reports in the story that the value per school could rise to $20M per year in 2014 when Notre Dame begins to play their ACC five game round-robin schedule.

Here's the link to the complete story -ACC media-rights deal

Kentucky's recruiting class in basketball

2013-04-18T21:23:57Z

I don't know if you guys have seen Kentucky's recruiting class in basketball or not, but it is insane. They have five (FIVE!) 5-star prospects who are all in the Top 20. This is not only the best recruiting class in the history of basketball, but I wonder if it's the best in the history of any NCAA sport period. And to top if off, the #1 guy who has not signed yet may also go to Kentucky.

The relation to Pitt here is obvious. While losing to Adams is upsetting, it is also a plus for Pitt in perception. You want to be known as a school which has one-and-dones. It attracts other players and top talent. It's just the nature of college basketball these days if you want the top talent. Pitt will certainly never get to the level of Kentucky, but you at-least want an NBA-like perception. Pitt football already has a good NFL perception to it, and we need this in basketball as well

Pitt hires women’s basketball coach

2013-04-12T19:27:21Z

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The Tribune Review is reporting that Pitt has hired Duquesne’s McConnell-Serio as women’s basketball coach

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/3829749-74/mcconnell-serio-record

While it is tough to know if there were other candidates, I have always admired McConnell-Serio's career as a player an these past years at Duquesne. I don't know if she can get more out of the returning team than Coach Berenato, but perhaps she'll be able to recruit and improve the team down the road.

This is a Fanpost written by a reader - to write your own, click here and we may feature it on the site.

The Tribune Review is reporting that Pitt has hired Duquesne’s McConnell-Serio as women’s basketball coach

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/3829749-74/mcconnell-serio-record

Accidental Starter by Tino Sunseri

2013-04-08T18:55:41Z

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(Chorus)

I'm just a Italian man comin' to you from Sutherland

Tryin' to complete that pass over twenty

I'm mostly to blame for all the games we could have won

But lets not pretend you could ever count on me

Still can't believe I was the only one who could start

Holding on to the ball for what seems like days and then

Taking another sack by the three rushing defensive lineman

This is a FanPost created by a reader. To create your own FanPost, click here and we may feature it on the main part of our page.

(Chorus)

I'm just a Italian man comin' to you from Sutherland

Tryin' to complete that pass over twenty

I'm mostly to blame for all the games we could have won

But lets not pretend you could ever count on me

Still can't believe I was the only one who could start

Holding on to the ball for what seems like days and then

Taking another sack by the three rushing defensive lineman

Do you still have blind loyalty to Jamie Dixon?

2013-04-03T11:00:01Z

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With the transfer of Trey Zeigler and Steven Adams declaring for the draft are fans still planning on turning a blind eye to the decline of Pitt basketball under Jamie Dixon? If you are, how do you think will be able to fill the two new holes on his roster when recruiting is something he is either not very good at or puts little effort into, depending on your perspective.

Even with the transfer of Rushel Shell, I have far more optimism for Pitt football than I do for Pitt basketball next year. I was worried about the trajectory of the basketball program before these last two moves, now it appears that the ship is taking on far more water than even I thought.

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And the blows keep on coming

2013-04-03T00:38:14Z

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Steven Adams is declaring for the NBA- from Jeff Goodman

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/21996673/pittsburghs-steven-adams-heading-to-nba

No easy way to stomach that one, especially just a few days after he re-stated he was staying. We all knew that it was still a possibility, but unfortunately it looks like now a reality. I personally don't like this decision (and not just from a selfish standpoint). I think he definitely has great talent, but I think one more year of school would have made him a beast and NBA ready instead of D-League ready. And seriously, is he going to be ready for the D-League? How would he fare against DeJuan Blair? If he feels he can compete against Blair, he's NBA ready. If he can't dominate Jack Cooley, I don't see how he's ready for the D-League. The article mentions that he wants to help support his family, but isn't his sister a 2-time gold medal winning olympian? I wish Steven the best, and hope that he doesn't retain an agent so he could return to school if he thinks better of it... but I didn't get that sense.

And as for Pitt, where do we go now? Do we try to bring in a transfer? Scour the JC ranks? Is there anyone even available? Next year went from looking like a top 5 team to... who knows what.

The following is a reader Fanpost. To write your own Fanpost, use the link over to the right of the main page and we may feature it here.

Steven Adams is declaring for the NBA- from Jeff Goodman

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/21996673/pittsburghs-steven-adams-heading-to-nba

And as for Pitt, where do we go now? Do we try to bring in a transfer? Scour the JC ranks? Is there anyone even available? Next year went from looking like a top 5 team to... who knows what.

The (Hopeful) Collapse of the NCAA

2013-03-22T12:36:59Z

It soon may begin to completely unravel for the NCAA, the billion-dollar collegiate sports enterprise, as a class-action lawsuit barrels down the road. O’Bannon v. NCAA could finally force payments for the “student-athletes,” the ones that generate all derived revenues, which are solely enjoyed by the universities and administrators.

Public support for the NCAA’s “student-athlete” model has been waning for years, but the camel’s back may soon be broken.

How is it justifiable that college kids, many of whom come from impoverished backgrounds, are prevented from making a single dime from their athletic endeavors? Yet, the colossal universities that they play for are able to sell their players’ likeness and talents through jersey sales, memorabilia, and other licensed products.

All of this is cloaked under the nearly oxymoronic, PR-department created phrase “student-athlete.” This anachronistic model may have been feasible back when profits weren’t in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but now, everyone wants to wet their beak, and the only ones prevented from going to the well are the kids who are actually making all of this money. Take a look at what the average Division-1 athletic director makes. After you pick your jaw from the floor, go ahead and glance at typical head coach salaries. So while NCAA president Mark Emmert rakes in a cool $1.6 million this year, the athletes are given a $250 stipend. Thanks so much, NCAA bureaucrats!

To be fair, I’m not saying that coaches and ADs shouldn’t make six or seven figures. After all, we’re not communists—I’m a believer in the free-market, and I think that they should rake in whatever the market will bear; but, they, the coaches and administrators, aren’t operating in a truly free market. Hell, it isn’t even a competitive market—it’s an artificial monopoly. And these salaries are held up at the expense of the players. If, after players are compensated for their talents, schools still want to pony up and pay Nick Saban $5 million-plus per year, be my guest. If Alabama believes that that’s the fair market value and that they can still see a hefty return, then I’m all for it. Just pay the players what they are entitled to.

And, there’s the ever reliable straw man argument “But the players are paid with their scholarships, and dammit, they should be grateful!” Sure, the scholarship is definitely a benefit and obviously has some ascertainable value—not going to argue with that—but why are athletes the only ones on campus who are prevented from using their talents and making a buck? If, for example, School X gives a music scholarship to Y, Y can book performances if there’s a demand and make a profit. No need to stop this, says the NCAA; the concerns only arise when it’s trying to protect the games in the name of amateurism, administrator short-hand for “we’re not sharing."

Back to the O’Bannon case, which was initiated by a former UCLA star suing to collect profits made by the NCAA and its licensed video game maker (EA Sports) for using his name and likeness, after he had graduated. The NCAA argues that, when players sign the 20-plus pages of mandatory red-tape, releases, and waivers, it essentially owns an athlete-employee’s likeness for eternity. If you refuse to sign all of the forms, you are barred from ever competing collegiately. Not a whole lot of room for the players to negotiate. I’m not a contracts scholar like Dr. John Murray, but that sounds like a contract of adhesion to me…unconscionable about sums up the NCAA’s stance on compensating its athlete-employees.

If the players could somehow organize and boycott a major championship or tournament—perhaps this March—they could grind the NCAA to a halt. They could force them to pony up something, anything. But, this is extraordinarily unlikely, so, for those of us expecting justice, we’ll have to wait until it’s forced upon the NCAA.

Here’s to holding out hope that U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken finds in favor of the ever-uncompensated “student-athletes.”

If you don’t believe that the athletes—the ones who make the NCAA a billion-dollar conglomerate—are entitled to any revenues, you’re either (1) jealous, (2) ignorant, or (3) both. There’s no wiggle-room here. Wise up. The kids have already earned it, now let them enjoy it.

-BTU

Follow on Twitter: @btu3

Public support for the NCAA’s “student-athlete” model has been waning for years, but the camel’s back may soon be broken.

Here’s to holding out hope that U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken finds in favor of the ever-uncompensated “student-athletes.”

-BTU

Follow on Twitter: @btu3

Rest in Peace, Big East

2013-03-17T09:34:08Z

Welp, it's over. All in but name. 3.44977 months (give or take a couple of hours) Pitt, Cuse, ND will be in the ACC. We will hear of Duke, Florida State, Miami instead of Providence, Connecticut, St. Johns, and VIllanova.

Allow me to sum up the Big East in tone simple sentence.

We're a basketball conference that will play football for some schools.

*COUGHS*

Sorry. It had to be done.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Will I miss the Big East? Of course. There were some fantastic rivals, and rivalries. But that's dead and buried now.

Louisville is the last football and basketball champion, probably the only school to do that too (i could be wrong.)

That's ironic. A school that came in because of expansion, won that coveted title.

Oh well, unto Greensboro. A Panther will prowling Tobacco Road soon enough.

And I can't $*%&)^*&ing wait!

Allow me to sum up the Big East in tone simple sentence.

We're a basketball conference that will play football for some schools.

*COUGHS*

Sorry. It had to be done.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Will I miss the Big East? Of course. There were some fantastic rivals, and rivalries. But that's dead and buried now.

Louisville is the last football and basketball champion, probably the only school to do that too (i could be wrong.)

That's ironic. A school that came in because of expansion, won that coveted title.

Oh well, unto Greensboro. A Panther will prowling Tobacco Road soon enough.

And I can't $*%&)^*&ing wait!

Football rule changes

2013-03-08T03:35:14Z

These go into effect for the 2013 season ...

A player who targets and hits a defenseless player above the shoulders will be penalized 15-yards and now will be ejected. Ejections are subject to booth review and may be overturned [as with other reviews] with indisputable video evidence. If the play occurs in the first half the player is disqualified for the remainder of that game. If it occurs in the second half, the player is disqualified for the remainder of that game and the first half of the next.

There will be a 10-second run off if the only reason the clock is stopped within the last minute of a half is for an injury to an offensive player. This is similar to the rule regarding a 10-second run off for an offensive penalty in the last minute of a half.

The clock cannot be stopped by spiking the ball if less than 3 seconds remain. If one or two seconds remain the offensive can run just one more play. Down two; no time-outs; long pass completion; 2-seconds left - cannot spike the ball and bring on the field goal unit to win the game; must go for a touchdown.

If a player changes numbers during a game they must report to the referee before resuming play and the referee with make an announcement to that effect. AKA - the USC Rule.

Multiple players at the the same position cannot wear the same number. Would not have prevented what happened in Pitt v. Notre Dame this year or Pitt v. Rutgers last year.

Numbers on jerseys must be in a distinctly different solid color than the rest of the jersey.

Replay may be used to adjust the clock at the end of any quarter, not just the halves.

Officials may use electronic electronic communication devices on-field during games.

Two rules that didn't pass were the Boise State rule which would have required uniforms in contrasting color to the color of the field and one that would have switched the down and distance markers to opposite side of the field at the half.

These go into effect for the 2013 season ...

If a player changes numbers during a game they must report to the referee before resuming play and the referee with make an announcement to that effect. AKA - the USC Rule.

Multiple players at the the same position cannot wear the same number. Would not have prevented what happened in Pitt v. Notre Dame this year or Pitt v. Rutgers last year.

Numbers on jerseys must be in a distinctly different solid color than the rest of the jersey.

Replay may be used to adjust the clock at the end of any quarter, not just the halves.

Officials may use electronic electronic communication devices on-field during games.

Chicago + Pitt + Beer = A great time this Saturday

2013-03-06T02:31:35Z

Are you going to the DePaul game this weekend? Are you a Pitt fan? Do you like beer?

Well, you're reading this blog, so I'm assuming the answer to at least two of those questions is yes. If all three are yes, join your fellow Pitt fans at the brand new Hofbrauhaus in Chicago! It's right beside O'Hare and about a mile from Allstate Arena.

They open at 11, and there will be plenty of space for us Pitt fans to down a stein or four before we watch the Panthers finish off their last-ever regular season Big East game.

If you have any questions, reach out to me on Twitter (@Jovenitti). See you Saturday at 11!

Talk About Under The Radar Jarred Fragapane 6'4" 235lb.N.Catholic High Athlete See Footage

2013-03-05T18:17:33Z

Jarred Fragapane has an amazing highlight reel.When You think of the athlete position seldom is it a kid that is 6'4" 235lbs .The 2014 Class LB/DE/TE/FB has versatility dont see very often for a a kid his size.When you see players listed as playing that many positions generally they have lined up at them before or they practice at them or maybe they played one position as a freshman another position or two as a junior but Jarred plays each of these positions at a high level see for your self Jarred Fragapanes Junior highlights http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1488996/#highlights/18729385

Old Dominion Replaces 'Nova

2013-02-25T18:38:44Z

Pitt has replaced the Villanova game originally scheduled for August 31st with a home game against Old Dominion on October 19th .. ODU is technically an FCS school but a higher grade than say Gardner Webb .. they are playing this year as an independent and will join FBS next year in Conference USA .. last year ODU was 11-2 and made it to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs .. Pitt is holding a news conference at 3PM at Heinz to announce the full schedule .. it coincides with the ACC's presser to announce the conference schedule.

And It Starts: Recruiting for 2014

2013-02-11T07:04:10Z

The ink is still drying from the 2013 recruiting class, but Pitt coaches have shown that they are being proactive when it comes to the next recruiting class. While it is still uncertain who will be back with the Panthers before and after Spring Camp, Pitt will need to identify their needs for a much smaller recruiting class in 2014.

The glaring hole in the Panthers roster for 2014 will be at running back. The Panthers did sign an athlete in 2013 that could potentially end up at Running Back in Erie McDowell (PA) Defensive End/Running Back James Conner. In the likely circumstance that Conner moves to defense the Panthers will be left with just three running backs on scholarship: Rushel Shell, Isaac Bennett, and Malcolm Crockett. Shell is the likely starter for the Panthers entering next season and Bennett finished the 2011 season as a starter when Ray Graham tore his ACL. Crockett also saw playing time towards the end of the season in 2013, but behind him the cupboard is bare.

Currently the Panthers top RB target is Washington (PA) Running Back Shai McKenzie. McKenzie had a breakout year in 2012 for Washington High where he led them to a WPIAL championship appearance against Aliquippa. McKenzie has been offered by Pitt and made it to the recent Junior Day held by Pitt during the weekend of the Pitt-Syracuse basketball game. From all reports, including from Shai himself, he loved the visit and Pitt currently leads for the talented Junior. While recruiting for 2014 has a long way to go, the Panthers are sitting in the driver seat for McKenzie.

Another top target for the Panthers will be Jersey City (NJ) Running Back Jonathan Hilliman. Hilliman has a lot of offers already, including offers from Georgia, Ohio State, and Michigan. He has Pitt ties thanks to his father, who is a Pitt graduate, and his godfather is former Panther great Craig Heyward.

Here are the top targets at other positions for 2014:

Quarterback: Chandler Kincaide (verbally committed)
Offensive Line: Mike Grimm, Alex Bookser, Jarrett LaRubbio, Brock Ruble, James McHale
Tight End: Darryl Long
Wide Receiver: Troy Apke, KJ Williams, Saeed Blacknall, Dorian Baker
Defensive Line: Brock Boxen, Jaleel Fields, Courtel Jenkins
Linebacker: Chase Winowich, Tyler Burke, Zaire Franklin
Safety: Marcus Allen, Dravon Henry, DeAndre Scott
Corner: Troy Vincent, Anthony Davis
Athlete: Montae Nicholson, Elijah Zeise