Chikes says bye to lucky Panthers

I guess you can file this column under “The Grass is Always Greener.”

Or perhaps I’m the one… I guess you can file this column under “The Grass is Always Greener.”

Or perhaps I’m the one who is green.

As a graduating senior who has worked three years as a Pitt News sports writer, I have fully immersed myself in everything Panthers – and I do mean everything – for a good portion of my adulthood.

I actually began following the men’s basketball and football programs while I was still in high school, and more recently I have developed interest in women’s basketball and baseball.

Next year, I’ll be attending another university for graduate studies, but my allegiance, at least as far as collegiate sports are concerned, will always be first and foremost to Pitt.

That’s why I’m so unimaginably frustrated.

Sure, I was here to witness Pitt’s first-ever BCS Bowl berth as a freshman, although given the pounding the Panthers took, I’m not sure the experience was really worthwhile.

And just recently, I blissfully watched Pitt roll through the Big East tournament for only its second Big East basketball championship. Again, however, I was somewhat disappointed by the overall outcome, a second-round loss to Michigan State in the Big Dance.

But that’s not what keeps me up at night.

No, what I’m upset about is how damn great all the underclassmen will have it after I leave.

Next season, you all will have the pleasure of watching LeSean McCoy blossom into one of the finest running backs in the nation. His name has already been tossed around in Heisman considerations, and he will likely catapult the Panthers back into a bowl game for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

It should help that Pitt landed the strongest recruiting class in the Big East this offseason, headlined by 6-foot-6 wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, who was coveted by Florida and Miami, and Shayne Hale, who spurned Ohio State to play for Dave Wannstedt and the Panthers.

Next year, you will get to cheer for what is likely to be one of the strongest Pitt basketball teams of the past decade, especially if Sam Young bypasses the NBA Draft for one more season.

Given Young’s return, the Panthers would return four of five starters from last season’s Big East championship squad. Pitt will likely be the early favorites to win the Big East regular season title and, if the team can avoid the injuries that plagued them this season, they might finally overcome the Sweet 16 hurdle.

Even the women’s basketball team, which made it to the Sweet 16 in only its second-ever NCAA tournament appearance, is likely to return with as much zeal and talent than ever.

Gone will be center Marcedes Walker and guard Mallorie Winn, but Selena Nwude, a four-star recruit from two years ago and the second best center in her graduating class, should be able to replace most of the production that Walker will take with her.

In other words, I couldn’t be more envious of the younger students here because, in recent history, the future for Pitt sports programs has never been brighter.

Yes, I’ll be able to track the Panthers via the Internet, newspapers and the occasional nationally televised contest, but gone are my opportunities to sit in the corner end zone on Saturday afternoons or mosh with the Oakland Zoo during Big East basketball tilts.

So, to all of the underclassmen, I hope you appreciate and enjoy the next several seasons of Pitt athletics; they’re sure to be fantastic. Ya jerks.