I can really think of only way to start this off and that is this: Hello, my name is Chris and for some unknown reason, I still love the Pitt Panthers. Yup, both football and even still basketball. I realized I should come forward in hopes of providing others with the courage to do the same and just admit they have a problem. It came into my head while I was training for the Broad Street Run out here in Philadelphia on Easter Sunday. It was time for a seven mile run as I ramp up to ten for the race. It was during this lengthy run, that I actually found myself thinking: "Hey, maybe this Kevin Stallings hire can work and will actually get Pitt over the hump!"

What?!?

Exactly. That's when I knew I had a problem and needed to come forward. I'm not real sure where it started. I remember going to the Field House and watch Sean Miller and company. I still remember my first game at Pitt Stadium, too. It was a big win over Purdue and Rod Woodson. I just fell in love and became (gulp) addicted to Pitt sports.

It didn't stop with Ralph Willard. It didn't stop when Billy West was all Pitt football had. I still believed for some reason. I talked myself into Ben Howland before anyone else. I talked myself into Mike Haywood. I believed Todd Graham and couldn't wait to "put the hammer down and get in the left lane". I even had faith in Jamie Dixon right up to the bitter end.

Why? Again, I think we covered that...I really don't know, but I can't stop. That dawned on me today when eveoO, I did not have the NCAA Tourney Flu that goes around every year. I never get sick, but I was sick that day when this happened! Yeah, I remember that. I remember Will Perdue fouling out and Barry Goheen brought down one of Pitt's most talented teams in history, with a miracle three-pointer to tie it that led to an overtime win for Vandy. Yup, that Vandy!

Now, we fast-forward to Vandy stepping in again for another gut punch moment all these years later. I watched this coaching search with enthusiasm. This is Pitt after all, so obviously, I told myself that letting Dixon go without a fight was the best thing and Pitt could do better. I watched as the Sean Miller rumors came raining down and gave me a glimmer of hope, if only for 15 minutes.

I was elated, as it seemed like Shippensburg native and USC coach Andy Enfield's name seemed to be picking up steam. This went on for a touch and I was excited until the Kevin Stallings fiasco began. It was a decision that was crushed on so many levels.

So, why, oh God, why, was I running seven miles and saying to myself things like: "Well, he just got stale at Vandy" and "Hey, Vandy just doesn't allow just anyone into their school and he'll recruit even better to Pitt" and blah, blah, blah. I mean, hey, if Sheldon Jeter can get on the same page, why can't we?

Why did I do that? I think we covered this: I'm an addict and I need help.

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