The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

Kirk Christodoulou (98), a native of Australia, committed to head coach Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers in July 2016. (Photo courtesy of Kirk Christodoulou)

Kirk Christodoulou: The punter from Down Under

By Steve Rotstein / Senior Staff Writer August 21, 2017

Kirk Christodoulou didn’t grow up around the same game as everybody else on the Pitt football team — to him, it’s called “footy.” He doesn’t say he’s going to go practice some punting —...

Former point guard Levance Fields handles the ball in Pitts 78-76 loss to Villanova in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. (Yong Kim/Philadelphia Daily News/MCT)

Return to greatness: basketball alums compete in annual tournament

More than seven years after Pitt’s memorable run to the Elite Eight came up just short against Villanova, then-Panthers point guard Levance Fields got another chance to reach a different Final Four —...

Pitt senior Desmond Palmer qualified for the NCAA Championships for the fourth time in his career last week at the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds in Lexington,
 Kentucky. (Photo Courtesy of Pitt Athletics)

Panthers prepare for NCAA Championships

By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor June 6, 2017

Pitt junior thrower Andin Fosam nervously watched the conclusion of the hammer throw last week at the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds in Lexington, Kentucky, as she clung to one of the last NCAA Championship...

Heather Lyke was appointed as Pitts athletic director earlier this year. Jordan Mondell | Contributing Editor

Lyke a pro: Pitt’s newest AD brings experience and enthusiasm

Athletics are in Heather Lyke’s DNA. She never turned down the chance to play any sport while she was growing up. But it took two degrees — one in education, the other in law — for her to decide...

First-year Jovana Knezevic plays in a match against Morgan State. Photo Courtesy of Pitt Athletics

Rising sophomores reflect: Adjusting as a student-athlete

By Kevin Bertha | Staff Writer May 30, 2017

Jovana Knezevic’s day starts with an early morning weight session, followed by a full schedule of classes. But instead of returning to her dorm after class to study or relax, Knezevic heads over to the...

Olivia Gray began playing softball as a 6-year-old and just ended her sphomore season with the Panthers. Will Miller | Senior Staff Photographer

Gray’s got it in the glove

By Rebecca Sauers | Staff Writer May 30, 2017

When 5-year-old Olivia Gray was offered a spot on a youth softball team, she didn’t want to play because she was afraid of failing. But her father, Shawn, encouraged her to give the sport another...

James Conner fires up the Panthers before their Oct. 8 game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. TPN File Photo

The next chapter: Conner’s story continues in Pittsburgh

By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor May 9, 2017

Sitting with friends and family in his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, James Conner watched as the NFL Draft progressed through the first three rounds. Conner — a projected fifth or sixth round pick...

Pitt catcher Manny Pazos congratulates redshirt junior pitcher Matt Pidich after an inning-ending groundout. Stephen Caruso | Assistant Visual Editor

From the diamond to the dugout: Pazos keeps command

By Stephen Caruso | Contributing Editor April 20, 2017

The Pitt baseball team seemed primed for a rare sweep on a summery Saturday in late March against Virginia Tech. The Panthers were up 4-0 in the top of the fifth in the second game of the series. Redshirt...

Gibson was called the Black Babe Ruth for his power-hitting prowess, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Courtesy of David Bachman Photography

Josh Gibson: Unsung, until now

After decades of relative obscurity, a Pittsburgh legend will finally have his story told — albeit in an unlikely place. The Pittsburgh Opera will perform the world premiere of “The Summer King,”...

Brycen Spratling, a former All-American sprinter at Pitt and holder of multiple world records, still trains alongside the Panthers sprinters under head coach Alonzo Webb. Stephen Caruso | Assistant Visual Editor

From Pitt to the pros: Spratling sprints to stardom

By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer April 10, 2017

Brycen Spratling sports Nike shoes, sweatpants and a short-sleeve black-and-blue shirt while warming up for his workout. He slowly trots around the track, bouncing to the beat of the music in his earbuds....

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