For the second time in 10 days, Pitt defensive end Claude Harriott has been named to the… For the second time in 10 days, Pitt defensive end Claude Harriott has been named to the watch list of a national award.

On Monday, Harriott was one of 40 players named to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, an award that is given to the nation’s best down lineman or linebacker.

Eligibility is restricted to Division I offensive or defensive down lineman and any defensive player who lines up within five yards of the line of scrimmage.

On May 2, the Pitt senior was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, which is given to the nation’s best defensive player.

Last season, Harriott was second in the nation with seven forced fumbles and ranked 23rd with 1.54 tackles for loss per game. Harriott also earned first-team All-Big East honors and was named the Insight Bowl’s Defensive Most Valuable Player.

New ticket plan leads to record sales

The days of an empty upper deck and a subdued non-student crowd at Heinz Field may soon be over.

On May 8, Pitt announced that it has sold over 12,000 new season tickets for the 2003 football season, just three months after introducing the new package plan.

The plan, which USA Today called the nation’s best season ticket plan in its Feb. 25, 2003 edition, features 20,000 seats at under $100 for the year, with some seats as low as $60. Adding to the value of the plan is the fact that the Panthers have one of their most appealing home schedules in a while.

Pitt will host Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Miami during the 2003 season. All three teams finished the 2002 season ranked among the top 25 teams in the country, as did the Panthers, who finished the year 18th in the coaches’ poll and 19th in the Associated Press poll.

“We are very excited about the response to our new season-ticket pricing plan,” associate athletics director Jim Earle said. “Our goal is to create, in Heinz Field, the same intimidating atmosphere we have at the Petersen Events Center.”

Pitt opens the season on Sept. 6 against Kent State. The home schedule also includes a visit from Ball State on Sept. 13 and the homecoming game against Syracuse on Oct. 25.

Two softball players honored

After setting a number of school records during her first season with the team, Francesca DiMaria was named to the All-Big East first team on May 8, along with being a unanimous selection to the conference All-Rookie team.

DiMaria, who set single-season records for batting average, hits, runs scored, doubles and walks, is the first player in the team’s six-year history to earn first-year honors and is only the second Panther to be named to the All-Rookie team.

“Francesca was so impressive as a freshman for us this year,” head coach Michelle Phalen said. “We knew coming in that she could hit, but she showed discipline. She certainly did her part to help us win.”

But DiMaria was not alone.

On May 9, Casey Pickard was selected to the 2003 Verizon Academic All-District II Softball team. Pickard, who is a communications major with a 3.48 grade-point average, is also the first Panther to be named to the team.

Pickard started all 55 games, setting a single-season record in at bats, and tied DiMaria for the team lead in home runs, with six.

Both players helped the Panthers set records in overall victories (24) and conference victories (seven).

Savini to attend NCAA Leadership Conference

After breaking six individual records during the 2002-2003 season, swimmer Carolyne Savini was chosen to attend the seventh annual NCAA Leadership Conference.

Held in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. from May 25 to May 29, the conference provides student-athletes with the chance to create conversations surrounding topics that affect them in college.

Savini also helped Pitt set three new records in relay events, as well as earning Honorable Mention All-America status for finishing 11th in the 200-yard backstroke at the 2003 NCAA Championships.