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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

Pete the Penguin

Youngstown State waddles to Pittsburgh for college football week four

By Aidan Kasner, Sports Editor September 19, 2024

In its fourth test of the year, Pitt will defend the home field as the Youngstown State Penguins bring their happy feet to town. Yes, you read that correctly — the Penguins.  Quite unusual and one-of-one...

Panthers’ mascot ROC dances on Heinz Field during Pitt’s game against Georgia Tech Sept. 15, 2018.

The life and times of ROC the mascot

By Ben Zimmer, Staff Writer October 3, 2018
ROC, a human-sized bipedal Panther, has been at the center of Pitt athletics for more than a century now, bouncing around the field, waving his arms and entertaining fans with his goofy antics and unassailable school spirit.
(Illustration by Sylvia Freeman | Staff Illustrator)

Column: New Philly Flyers’ mascot ‘Gritty’ is more fearsome than friendly

By Michael Nitti, Staff Writer September 30, 2018
Nobody’s sure what animal or interdimensional being new Flyers' mascot 'Gritty' is supposed to be, but we can all agree he’s ugly.
The Cleveland Indians announced they will be retiring their mascot after much controversy over the years. The racial caricature has been replaced on the players’ jerseys and helmets, and vendors associated with the franchise will no longer be selling merchandise with the old mascot on it. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Editorial: Cleveland mascot’s departure signals good first step

By The Pitt News Editorial Board February 1, 2018

With statues of Confederate generals removed across the South last summer and likenesses of Christopher Columbus vandalized across the North last October, it was only a matter of time before the next symbol...

Jeff Ahearn | Assistant Visual Editor

Roc-Star: the life of a college mascot

By Amanda Reed / for The Pitt News October 9, 2015

We see him everywhere. At football games, in ads, on social media and in front of the Cathedral. His image is synonymous with Pitt Athletics and school pride — we call him Roc the Panther — yet his...

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