Panther fans have much to look forward to

Some fans feel that Pitt’s increased popularity and influx of new student applications is… Some fans feel that Pitt’s increased popularity and influx of new student applications is partly because of the success of the University’s athletic programs.So just how good have the Panthers been?

Many of the experts have ranked Pitt athletics fairly high. But the truth is, they’re not as good as many people believe — in actuality, they’re a whole lot better.

The team everyone looks to first is obviously the basketball team, and why not? Just try to find another basketball program that has been as dominant during the past three seasons. They’ve had three straight Sweet 16 appearances, and they’ll enter next season as the defending Big East regular season champs.

And, oh yeah, they’ve lost only one home game in the two seasons since they began playing at The Petersen Events Center, which is one of the most impressive on-campus facilities in the country.

Pitt also boasts a football team that has been to four consecutive bowl games. I know they were playing for tangerines, and not oranges, but four in a row is something to hang your hat on.

Ten players from last year’s team have also signed on with NFL teams. And do I even have to mention what the play of Heisman runner-up Larry Fitzgerald did for the University?

But forget about basketball and football for now. We’re talking Pitt athletics as a whole. Most of you probably have no idea that the basketball team is not even close to being the most dominant team on campus.

The men’s swimming and diving team is by far the most talented team on campus. I know they’ll never pack 50,000 people into Tree’s Pool, but they have won eight consecutive Big East titles, not to mention 18 titles since the conference was founded in 1982.

The baseball team has won a school-record 72 games in the past two seasons, but this year they are on track to exceed the 36-win plateau. The Panther baseball team has set itself up nicely for a chance to earn a Big East tournament berth — which would be the first since the conference went to a four-team format.

And how about the wrestling team? Did you know that the wrestling team sent four wrestlers to the Eastern Wrestling League championships? Sophomore Ronald Tarquinio and senior Josh Birt brought home titles.

But the men’s sports represent only one-half of this incredible equation.

Pitt is the home of many successful women’s programs, such as the volleyball team, which will begin the 2004 season as defending Big East Champions.

And don’t forget about the women’s swimming and diving team. All they’ve done is win an incredible 10 Big East titles.

The women’s basketball team has admittedly struggled during the past few seasons. But with fiery head coach Agnus Berenato, who has a remarkable passion for the game, the team will look to get back into contention in the next couple of seasons.

The tennis team saw Haley Hughes win her 100th career match. And this year’s women’s outdoor track and field team finished second in the Big East and had two conference champions in Trenace Elliot (400 meters) and Tamara McGill (heptathlon).

So you see, Pitt really is it. And not just because of the big-time sports that get most of the attention. If you ever want to really watch a team made up of athletes who are in it for the love of the game, then check out some of the Olympic teams Pitt has to offer.

Ryan Walker is the sports editor for The Pitt News and can be reached at rpw973@yahoo.com.