Oakland Zoo doesn’t limit itself to Oakland

‘ ‘ ‘ While a good portion of Pitt students ventured south to Panama City, Fla., for their… ‘ ‘ ‘ While a good portion of Pitt students ventured south to Panama City, Fla., for their yearly spring break vacation, a sizable selection headed north to New York City for the Big East tournament. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The Oakland Zoo filled its student section in one corner of the legendary Madison Square Garden in Manhattan for Pitt’s only game of the tournament, a 74-60 loss to rival West Virginia. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ However, student sections at the Garden aren’t as populated as in regular season games, whether it’s the Oakland Zoo, the Syracuse fans or Louisville’s students, because there just aren’t enough tickets available. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Every year we only get 40 tickets for the tournament because the Zoo holds 10 percent of the Petersen Events Center’s capacity, so the athletic department gave us 10 percent of their allotment they receive for the tournament,’ said Oakland Zoo President Dave Jedlicka. ‘We don’t have that many seats, but everybody that purchased a ticket went to the game.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Even though the student section was small for the Big East tournament, it was stuffed, and game-goers witnessed Oakland Zoo T-shirts and Pitt gear throughout the arena. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Jedlicka said that he tries to accumulate as many tickets as he can for Pitt students who are in New York for the tournament. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I always treat New York like a business trip for basketball,’ said Jedlicka. ‘We went to the Garden and hung out and tried to get tickets for a couple of friends who needed them, which is usually what I end up doing.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ It’s not exactly a short voyage to the Big Apple for Pitt students, but several options exist to travel and watch the tournament mayhem. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ It takes about seven hours to reach New York City by car and only about one hour by plane. Buses and trains are other modes of transportation that could be cheaper than the conventional methods. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Jedlicka said that he flew out to New York, but many other members of the Zoo drove or found other ways to the city. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Once in Manhattan, there are endless possibilities to go sight-seeing or to hang out at bars, restaurants or shops. Even though Pitt’s stay in the Big East tournament was limited this year, a ritual exists for the loyal Zoo members. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We go to this one place called Stout’s, which is right next to the Garden,’ said Jedlicka. ‘There’s a big pre-game meeting beforehand. A lot of Pitt alumni and students and such come.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt’s first game this year wasn’t until Thursday, but the tournament began on Tuesday, one day earlier than in years past. This gave some students the opportunity to lounge under the city lights for an extra day if they wanted to catch the first round. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The Panthers lost in their first game, which is a recent rarity for the program. Pitt had reached the Big East tournament final in seven of the previous eight years. But Jedlicka isn’t worried about Pitt’s NCAA Tournament prognosis. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I think it’ll be more of a motivator for the team,’ said Jedlicka. ‘As far as weaknesses, I wouldn’t say there is anything really glaring. If you look after each one of our losses this season, we’ve rebounded pretty well. There’s always been something different to how we adapted.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt was awarded the No. 1 seed in the East region on Sunday, with its first game against East Tennessee State played in Dayton, Ohio. The regional semifinals and finals are hosted in Boston, which is a longer trip than Indianapolis, the Midwest’s location. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ But count on Jedlicka and other members of the Oakland Zoo to attend wherever the Panthers wind up in the coming weeks. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘The drive to Boston is about 11 or so hours, and the flights aren’t really that cheap,’ said Jedlicka. ‘If we can keep it maxed out at like six or seven hours of driving, it would probably be the best, but I do plan on being at the games.’