Wannstedt reignites spirit

The logo is back, Dave Wannstedt is back, and more importantly, the school spirit is back…. The logo is back, Dave Wannstedt is back, and more importantly, the school spirit is back.

Last night was not the official start of the 2005 season, but it was a great kickoff for the Wannstedt era. More than 1,000 students were on hand for last night’s spring football pep rally set up by the Panther Pitt and the Student Government Board’s Traditions Committee with the help of Pitt athletics.

People lined up outside more than an hour before the doors opened at 7:30, and when the doors did open, the 500 free T-shirts were gone within 15 minutes.

The turnout was impressive when compared with Notre Dame’s spring pep rally held for new head coach Charlie Weis, which featured fewer than 300 students.

“It’s a great testament to Dave Wannstedt, who is one of Pitt’s own,” Athletics Director Jeff Long said.

Pitt will open the season on Sept. 3 with a home contest against the Fighting Irish.

“They better watch out for us,” Traditions chair Kristina Baron said.

Everyone Pitt plays next year will have to watch out when they travel to Pitt, because the student section is set to be more lively than it has been in the past couple years.

“The students made a statement tonight that they’re excited about their football team,” Wannstedt said after speaking to the students.

In his speech, he told a story of how a bunch of teams attempted to climb Mount Everest, but all only made it half way up. He said that someone suggested that the best member from each team should come together to form a single team that would eventually succeed.

By this, he meant that all of Pitt needs to come together and work for the one collective dream: to climb the mountain and get back to the glory days of Pitt.

To start the trek up the hill, Pitt has gone back to what Wannstedt feels comfortable with — being called “Pitt.”

“It’s the only thing I ever knew,” he said. “Sometimes we’re the University of Pittsburgh, but on the football helmet we’ve always been Pitt.”

“We say ‘Hail to Pitt,’ might as well call ourselves Pitt,” said Brent Healy, who is vice president and co-creator of the Panther Pitt. He was impressed with the turnout and is looking forward to the upcoming season.

Pitt fans will have another chance to rally together before the season. Wannstedt mentioned during his speech that he wants to do another student function during training camp.

He is extremely excited for the upcoming season and called out to students last night.

“You’ve got our commitment,” he shouted onstage. “You must do your part.”

He pointed out to all the players who were scattered amongst the crowd, saying that students and athletes must work together to succeed.

“If we’re going to be a complete program, a great program,” Wannstedt said, “it involves not just the coach, not just the players, but the student body and everybody.”

The players were also pumped by what they saw last night.

“This is awesome, man,” said quarterback Tyler Palko, who received a loud cheer when the highlight of him running over a Boston College defender was displayed on the Jumbotron of the Petersen Events Center lobby.

“Hopefully I don’t have to do that this year,” Palko joked about the hit.

But it would be fun to run over another defender like that in 2005, wouldn’t it, Palko?

“Oh, definitely!”