column Archives - The Pitt News

Column | All I need to know, I learned at Trees

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • April 20, 2022

Outgoing sports editor Stephen Thompson has spent four years playing on and learning from Pittsburgh’s pick-up basketball courts. This is what they taught him and why he’s sad to leave them behind after graduation.

Column | Jeff Capel’s portal to a winning 2022-23 season

By Kyle Saxon, Senior Staff Writer • April 6, 2022

The road to constructing a winning roster will be long for Pitt men’s basketball, but early commitments and interests have shown that the road does exist. Senior staff writer Kyle Saxon outlines how he believes Jeff Capel can turn things around in one offseason.

Column | Top 5 best Pitt sports moments in 2021

By Alexander Ganias, Staff Writer • March 22, 2022

Pitt athletics enjoyed a successful 2021, including championships and program firsts. Staff writer Alexander Ganias ranked the five best Panther moments from the past calendar year.

Column | Regardless of lockout outcome, MLB owners and Manfred are tarnishing the game

By Richie Smiechowski, Senior Staff Writer • March 2, 2022

The lack of punctuality seemed to demonstrate an absence of care and lack of eagerness from the owners to start the season on time. Also, the proposal didn’t please the players, further indicating that both sides were miles away from an agreement.

Column | Pitt moments that made fans want to drink, in celebration or sadness

By Brian Sherry, Staff Writer • February 22, 2022

Being a Pitt fan is an emotional roller coaster and the Panthers can often drive their fans to the bottle. Big wins have caused them to pop champagne in celebration, but others compel them to down shots in defeat.

Column | The Pro Bowl is an embarrassment in current state, needs changes

By Jermaine Sykes, Staff Writer • February 6, 2022

In recent years, the Pro Bowl has turned into a game with no stakes played between two uninterested teams in front of an apathetic audience. Staff writer Jermaine Sykes argues that the game is an embarrassment to the league and needs changes.

Column | Capel deserves credit for instilling strong culture in men’s basketball

By Frankie Richetti, Senior Staff Writer • February 1, 2022

It's clear that Jeff Capel has instilled a strong culture among his Pitt team. It isn’t the kind of achievement Pitt fans dreamed of when he was hired, but senior staff writer Frankie Richetti argues that Capel deserves credit nonetheless.

Column | Pitt has begun a slow but steady climb back from the bottom

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • January 10, 2022

Pitt men’s basketball is showing signs of hope. After having to take moral victories from close losses at the beginning of conference play, Stephen Thompson argues the Panthers are playing their best ball with a wide-open conference schedule ahead.

Column | It’s starting to look like Jeff Capel’s final season in Pittsburgh

By Kyle Saxon, Senior Staff Writer • December 8, 2021

When Pitt men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel accepted his job in 2018, he was widely labeled a home-run hire. For his first two seasons, he looked the part, which makes his tenure’s sudden turn for the worse all the more surprising and disappointing.

Column | Win at Syracuse paves way for ACC Championship preparation

By Frankie Richetti, Staff Writer • November 29, 2021

No. 20 Pitt football remained focused in its 31-14 win over Syracuse on Saturday. After passing the final hurdle of the regular season, Staff Writer Frankie Richetti argues that the Panthers are primed for a high-stakes ACC Championship game.