The man behind the moves

How does one single-handedly stir a capacity crowd at the Petersen Events Center into a… How does one single-handedly stir a capacity crowd at the Petersen Events Center into a frenzy?

One must be Carl Krauser.

With one look at the Oakland Zoo and a few pumps of the arms, the senior guard persuades every fan in the house to rise and make the 12,508-seat arena rock both the opposing team and itself.

Late in the second half against Marquette Sunday, Krauser was honored for passing former teammate and mentor Brandin Knight for 13th on Pitt’s all-time scoring list.

What could possibly show up the praise and reverence the Pitt fans in attendance had to offer for Krauser’s accomplishment?

How about what he did after?

When Pitt took the court again, Krauser got a feed off a screen and buried a 3 to tie the game. Ten seconds later, he stole the ball from Marquette’s Steve Novak and threw a kiss in the air before ever so gently touching the ball off the glass to give Pitt its first lead of the game.

The play and the personality that Krauser has shown on a national scale have elevated his persona to University of Pittsburgh immortality. The Bronx native has driven the lane to many Pitt fans’ and students’ hearts, always leading “Let’s go Pitt!” cheers while popping the team logo on his jersey.

Consequently, Krauser’s celebrity may prevent many students at Pitt from separating Carl the basketball player from Carl the man.

So for a few minutes, forget about the 2-0 record as an amateur boxer Krauser holds. Look past his 1,400 plus career points as a Panther, and get to know Carl Krauser, the student athlete, the father, the person.

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: Before I picked up basketball, I wanted to be a baseball player. My dad used to play softball, so I was always outside working on my arm. I wanted to be Rickey Henderson. Everything about basketball is a dream for me because I never thought I was going to do it.

Q: When you’re not practicing, working out or doing schoolwork, what do you like to do in your free time?

A: Usually it’s trying to be with my son. Other than that I like listening to music a lot: a little rap, R and B and some jazz. I like to play pool, some PlayStation 2 like March Madness and Madden 2006. I also like to go to the movies.

Q: As a freshman, what was the biggest challenge in adjusting for you?

A: I hadn’t been away from home for a long time before, so I had to adapt being away from my family. From a basketball perspective, it was playing behind somebody. I understood I had to follow before I led.

Q: How did you get the nickname “Black Magic?”

A: I got the nickname playing at Rucker Park [legendary street ball court in Harlem] for the first time. I was only there to watch, but the point guard for one of the teams didn’t show up, so the other guys on the team called me up and I got to play, which was amazing because [Rucker Park] is like a mini Madison Square Garden. I got on the court and stole the ball and did a pass between my legs, and then I did it again. After that some people watching said, “We’re gonna call him ‘Black Magic.'”

Q: What is your biggest source of motivation?

A: Right now it’s having a son. It opens up your eyes. It’s all about that little man that looks up to me for guidance. It makes me compete harder because I know I’m not just playing for myself. I’m playing for my family and my son.

Q: How do you want other students at Pitt to see you?

A: I just want them to see me as a cool guy, you know? I’m not how I act on the court. I’m just a regular guy, no better than anybody else. If you come up to me on the street, I’ll say hi. I’ll laugh with you.

With the passing of Saturday’s victory over the Marquette Golden Eagles, Carl Krauser can only be seen playing in the Petersen Events Center four more times in his career as a Pitt Panther.

But more importantly, there are only three more months left this semester to get to know Carl as a student: at the movies, shooting pool or playing video games.

So if you see Carl on the street, don’t be shy. Treat him as a friend and say hello.

He would do the same for you.